Good news for Corby this month as our town has made the final three in a contest to find the best town in the UK.
Corby has fought off competition from a shortlist of ten other UK towns to make the final three of The Academy of Urbanism Awards. The awards are in their 12th year and have a range of categories including The European City of the Year Award, The Great Town Award, The Great Neighbourhood Award, The Great Street Award and The Great Place Award.
The hundreds of nominations for the best town are now down to the final three: Corby, Coventry and Milton Keynes. If that doesn’t call for a cake to celebrate, we’re not sure what does!
Corby development
Since opening our first bakery in Corby, we’ve seen plenty of changes and developments. Recent improvements have been the new housing, shops and leisure facilities such as the cinema and The Cube.
Speaking about Corby, The Academy wrote: “Still barely halfway through the 30-year growth plan set out in the Regeneration Framework in 2003, its revival has been phoenix-like, emerging from post-industrial decay.” Pretty dramatic, but right! “Corby demonstrates what can be achieved through civic ambition and a commitment to growth and today is the fastest-growing borough outside London.”
What happens now?
Between July and September, there will be an assessment visit to all three of the finalists. A report will be compiled based on the assessment criteria and academicians will then vote for their winner.
The assessment criteria includes several areas: leadership and governance, local character, amenity, commercial success & Viability, environmental sustainability, community, health and wellbeing, and connectivity.
If it helps, we’re happy to lay out a buffet for the judges, or perhaps sweeten the deal with one of our tasty treats!
The winners of each category will be announced at The Awards Ceremony in November. Our fingers (iced fingers and all) are crossed that there will be even more good news to come when November arrives.