The Core Strategy for Eden provides for substantial numbers of new houses in the next 20 years. Two new supermarkets have recently been built. Supermarkets are perceived as a threat to independent traders and thus create a negative effect on the health of the town centre. The public regard the environment of the town centre as being in need of improvement.
A pressing strategic economic issue for the Penrith travel to work area (TTWA) is the current (and forecast worsening) skill and labour shortage. This must be addressed if the aspiration for a sustainable community is to be achieved. It is especially important if Penrith is to take full advantage of any plans to expand the existing employment areas and avoid becoming, predominantly, a commuter town.
The Penrith TTWA remains dominated by a low wage economy.
On the other hand the Penrith area offers opportunities around which to build a marketing campaign that can lead to a wide range of advantages from increasing the customer base to creating investment in skills and employment.
The Strategy and Action Plan for 2011 (PDF: 118Kb / 9 pages) deals with these issues in more detail.
For Further Information
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Contact: Economic Regeneration Officer / Town Centres Officer
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Address: Eden District Council, Town Hall, Penrith Cumbria CA11 7QF
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Telephone: 01768 817817
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Email: econ.dev@eden.gov.uk
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Fax: 01768 890470
