‘I Love Guildford Because…’ – Vision Group Launches Campaign to Garner Views

Published on: 28 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 29 Aug, 2018

Guildford Vision Group (GVG) has launched a survey and competition to find out exactly what Guildford’s residents, workers and visitors think of the town centre.

They have called their campaign “I love Guildford because…” to find out what is loved best about the town. It will announce the results at the group’s next public meeting on Tuesday, October 16 (2018).

According to a GVG press release, the results will help shape GVG’s vision for the town centre and identify what people do not want to lose. The group will be also awarding prizes; a £100 gift voucher for Cosy Club will be awarded to two winners, one recognising the most unusual reason to love Guildford town centre, and the other rewarding GVG’s favourite photograph of the town centre.

John Rigg.

John Rigg, chairman of GVG, said: “We know that Guildford is a brilliant place for all sorts of reasons, however, we want to know exactly what people love best about living and working here. Your views will allow GVG to create the first, definitive list of Guildford’s best bits, according to the people who are here every day.”

GVG was founded in 2012 by a group of residents with a background in property, transport and planning. Its ambition is to make Guildford an even more attractive, vibrant and pleasant town to live and work in.

Cllr Paul Spooner

Cllr Paul Spooner, leader of Guildford Borough Council, said: “We love Guildford too and it’s always great to hear from residents about what they think makes our town or borough such a fantastic place to live, work and visit. High-quality place-making is one of our stated key aims.

“Our plans, which have real opportunities for proper investment and delivery over time, will transform our town in an integrated and coordinated way. VisitGuildford.com also has masses of information for residents, workers and visitors about all the wonderful things to see and do in our town and borough.

“We look forward to seeing the feedback about Guildford and the vibrant and thriving place it is.”

Cllr Caroline Reeves

Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary & St Nicolas) said: “This totally depends on who answers. If it’s the usual correspondents on The Dragon, the Surrey Advertiser, local Facebook groups and supporters of GVG it may not tell anyone anything new. The critical point will be reaching people across the borough (or do GVG only mean the town?) who are very often overlooked.

“Any pressure group can easily reach its own supporters, as can be seen at the GVG public meetings, but for a real consultation this needs to reach people who aren’t part of a pressure group such as GVG, the Guildford Residents Association or the Guildford Society but the many people in my area and North Guildford who aren’t included.

“Yes, it could be useful to GBC if it reveals new things.”

Cllr Susan Parker.

Susan Parker (GGG, Send) commented: “I don’t have a problem with yet another consultation but I am not sure that it will be necessarily constructive, and I think people are rather weary of consultations.

“GVG does seem to regard themselves as the self-appointed spokesmen for Guildford, but they do spend much time undermining other community groups. Personally, I’m not sure that the results will be useful to Guildford Borough Council nor the Borough of Guildford.”

But Brian Creese, spokesperson for Guildford Labour, while critical of the council, was more optimistic. He said: “Given the current inadequacy of the council’s town centre plans and their aversion to consulting the public (they prefer bringing in expensive consultants) Guildford Labour welcomes GVG’s initiative.

“Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of the council to have a clear vision of Guildford’s future and there are decisions which are necessarily political:

“To what extent should affordable housing be a part of the town centre?

“Should we make the centre more attractive for all local residents? Or, should we just concentrate on attracting more upmarket retailers to the High Street?

“So while an extensive survey can inform these decisions, it cannot replace the hard political decisions.”

The GVG statement concluded: “Answers are welcome in a variety of ways. You might wish to provide a written list of all your favourite things, or perhaps you just have a preferred shop on the high street or place you like to visit, or maybe you want to share your pictures and videos.

“Simply start your response with ‘I love Guildford because…’ and get in touch.”

Those who wish to take part in the GVG survey should visit: www.guildfordvisiongroup.com. Responses must be submitted by Monday, October 1.