COUNCILLORS in Upton are adopting an ambitious goal of making it “the best destination historic riverside town in the Three Counties”.

Upton Town Council is looking to adopt a new mission statement, outlining its hopes and objectives for the town.

Members were presented with a draft version by Councillor Simon Speers, who said it was important to have a strategy in place.

Among the key aims listed are ensuring a vibrant commercial centre, with fewer than five vacancies in the High Street, and retaining key assets such as the library, post office and tourist information centre.

New events should be encouraged alongside the existing popular festivals, with ideally 12 major occasions every year. There should be at least a monthly market and there should be plans to develop Back Fields Lane for business and create 150 more homes.

Coun Speers said: “Upton is a fabulous town. We have a lot going for us and it could be a lot better still.

“We can’t do all of this but we can talk to our partners and help them make things happen. Just by virtue of having that strategic intent, it becomes possible.”

The council will finalise the mission statement in the coming weeks, taking account of a recent residents’ questionnaire.

The questionnaire is available in various places around Upton or at surveymonkey.

com/s/uptonuponsevern and is open until November 30.