Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership, the consortium that aims to grow, support and enhance business prosperity in the town, has recently invited a new member - The Junction, the company that owns and operates Cambridge Close retail park in Aylesbury.

The partnership is made up of town centre stakeholders including retailers, District and County Councils, management from the two shopping centres, and Town Centre Management, who discuss developments, prepare events to increase footfall and profile and share information to safeguard the future success of the town centre.

Lois Williams, Responsible Business Manager at The Junction explains: “We were delighted to be invited to join the Town Centre Partnership. It is imperative that businesses who invest in and operate from the town centre work together to ensure the ongoing success of the town as both a centre for its residents and an attractive destination for visitors. We hope that inclusion within this partnership will allow us to take an even more active role in Aylesbury life.”

The Junction will donate £3,000 on an annual basis in order to be involved with the Town Centre Partnership; funds which will support town-centre events and activities. Since joining the partnership, The Junction has sponsored flower-filled hangiing baskets to support Aylesbury in Bloom. Lining the frontage at Cambridge Street, the baskets are consistent with those hung in the town centre and provide a bright and colourful display for the public’s pleasure.

Lois Williams adds: “The Junction endeavours to work within the community, building bonds with residents and local businesses and supporting local initiatives. The Town Centre Partnership membership is another step in this ongoing process and we look forward to working with other businesses in promoting and supporting Aylesbury and all it has to offer.”

A brand new employment programme has been launched this week to help Telford and Wrekin residents learn lifelong skills and thrive in the workplace.

‘Job Junction’, a Telford and Wrekin Council led initiative, aims to help improve career and skill development opportunities in the area of Malinslee. It has come about thanks to a generous £20,000 donation from The Junction, the owner and manager of Telford Forge Shopping Park.

The ‘Job Junction’ centre will offer local people specialist advice to get on to the career ladder. Services at the centre include preparatory support for returning to work, education and training. Individuals of all ages and abilities will be welcomed at the centre and provided with tailored help in writing CV’s and job applications, as well as access to introductory courses in literacy, numeracy and ICT. The centre will also forge links with local employers for placements and adult work experience, one example of which will be Telford Forge Retail Park and its shops.

Lois Williams, Responsible Business Manager at The Junction comments: “With so much development planned for Telford it is important that local people can take advantage pf the opportunities offered. Our business is suported by people across the borough and we are glad to be able to give something back. The centre will provide a real opportunity for the people of Malinslee and we hope that other companies will recognise the benefit that such initiatives bring to local people and local enterprise.”

Cllr Dennis Allen, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “In Malinslee ward there are some 200 people on long term unemployment benefits. The ‘Job Junction’ is being launched to encourage and assist them to find worthwhile employment. We are extremely grateful to The Junction for their generous support and feel very positive that the scheme could enable up to trhee quarters of those unemployed in the area to start successful careers within twelve to eighteen months.”

The Job Junction ‘drop in’ sessions will be taking place at the Healthy House, 94 Withywood Drive, Malinslee every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 10am - 12noon.