Japanese Group Visit Guildford To Be Briefed on Town’s Regeneration

Published on: 7 Sep, 2018
Updated on: 9 Sep, 2018

The Japanese visitors seeing an example of regeneration in Tunsgate

A group of 25 officials from towns in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan were seen being shown round Guildford last Friday (August 30, 2018) setting some tongues wagging. Was it perhaps another twinning arrangement in the offing?

But Guildford Borough Council scotched any such rumours today (September 7) explaining that visit was part of a European study tour including Germany and the UK.

The five and a half hour visit to Guildford, hosted by Guildford Borough Council was to learn about regeneration of the town. It included time spent in the Guildhall where they were welcomed by the Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons, and Matt Furniss, deputy council leader and received presentations on the economy, tourism and the regeneration of Tunsgate Quarter.

There followed a short tour of the town centre guided by Kevin Lorimer, chair of Experience Guildford, which focussed on the role of independent stores and examples of past and future regeneration sites.

Kevin Lorimer shows the group the Alice statue in Millmead

Finally, a presentation on Guildford’s regeneration aspirations was given by Zac Ellwood, GBC major projects portfolio manager in the GBC council chamber.

The group also visited Kent County Council to learn about their children’s services.

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