The first Newent Town Centre Survey took place in July 2024. The aim of the survey is to take an annual snapshot of who is using our town centre, what they use it for, and how they feel about it.

The study aims to capture live data of visits to the town centre as they happened. So most surveys are completed in town, on paper, with the help of local businesses and volunteers. An electronic version of the survey is made available. However this was only made available via QR codes on posters in the town centre, it was not shared online.

The study helps us to secure funding which drives positive change in our town. In 2024 the study helped us to secure funding for an active travel study. This has defined the active travel routes we need to secure to keep residents connected to the town centre as the town expands. 

With the findings of the 2025 study we hope to focus on improving leisure facilities here in Newent. 

We surveyed 248 people and asked: 

“What additional leisure facilities would you and your family be likely to use if we had them here in Newent? “

This was a multiple choice question with respondents invited to choose all answers which applied to them. 

The chart below shows a clear favourite: 

For this reason, we have chosen to work on a feasibility study for providing a new community arts centre incorporating a theatre/cinema/performance space, for Newent, as our main project for 2026. Watch this space for more details of how to get involved. 

Full details of the 2025 study will be published here shortly – check back soon.