Bracknell

Bracknell has fired the first salvo in a battle to woo shoppers back to the town centre.

Officials at the regeneration partnership have ordered a massive publicity campaign in a bid to lure customers away from shopping centres in neighbouring towns.

Fed up with the town taking second place to centres such as Reading's £200 million Oracle complex, Bracknell has decided to fight back.

And while neighbouring towns can only hope for decent weather in the crucial run-up to the festive season, Bracknell is guaranteeing a full blown white Christmas.

A giant snowmaking machine is poised to be moved into the town centre at the start of an unprecedented drive to put Bracknell well and truly back on the shopping agenda.

And to make sure the message gets across the partnership is launching a huge publicity campaign with buses bearing large advertisements proclaiming - "Bracknell: Well worth a visit."

Copywriters from a top agency have spent months drawing up the campaign which features a whole series of messages for prospective Bracknell shoppers.

Commuters will see buses bearing slogans including "From 6 inch nails to six inch heels" and "From eyeliner to iPods."

Never before has the town gone on such an offensive to win a bigger share of the region's lucrative retail trade - success is vital as it would give a massive injection of confidence in the plans to rebuild the town centre.

icBerkshire ~ Bracknell ~ Nov 10 2005