Rediscover Maidenhead forum talks Twitter and pop-up shops

Pop-up shops and getting businesses signed up to Twitter are some of the ideas a new forum has put forward to get people back into Maidenhead town centre.

Rediscover Maidenhead held its first meeting yesterday and has already earmarked a number of projects that could help revitalise the town centre.

Group founder Erika Seekings, co-owner of King Street taxi firm U Want, said "It will be years before any of the big regeneration projects will start and the town centre cannot wait that long.

"We need action now and that is what this group is set up to do."

The 61-year-old was spurred to set up the group after the Advertiser reported 55 retail units stood empty in the town centre - the highest number ever recorded.

She said six volunteers from a range of professions, including IT and marketing, have already come forward and she is hoping more people will join.

The group is now looking to set up a pop-up shop or exhibition in the former Que Pasa unit in King Street as one of its first projects and is planning to meet with town centre manager Steph James.

"The unit has been empty for a long time now and it gives an awful impression of the town especially to first time visitors," she said.

"We need something in time for the Olympics when there will be thousands of visitors passing through."

The group is also offering to help town centre businesses set up Twitter accounts.

Other projects in the pipeline include a Rediscover Maidenhead quiz. Players will have to identify parts of the town centre which will be featured in a series of photographs to win a prize.

The group's next meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 29, at the Holiday Inn in Manor Lane.

Contact erikaseekings@hotmail.com for details.

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