Regeneration of the town centre will be one of the issues new mayor of St Neots, Councillor Barry Chapman, wants to tackle during his term in office.

Cllr Chapman, who has been mayor twice before, said he was also keen to see the town’s outdoor swimming pool project get under way.

He said: “What I want to see is the regeneration of the town centre.

“This is a good opportunity to work with people and get things done.”

Cllr Chapman said he was keen to see improvements that will encourage people to spend more time in the town centre supporting businesses.

“Hopefully regeneration will help to revive the town centre and improve the look of it.” he said.

He wants to see the town become more attractive to businesses, such as leisure, which would bring in visitors in addition to those using the High Street shops.

Cllr Chapman was appointed mayor at a town council meeting, in St Neots, last month.

He told The Hunts Post it was an honour to be appointed mayor: “I am very pleased. I agreed to stand and I was given overwhelming support at the council meeting.

“I am looking forward to representing the town during the year and I hope to raise some money for charity.

“I am hoping to get some town improvements done. There are a lot of new councillors with a lot of new ideas. I think it is a very nice mix and they are very keen.”

Cllr Chapman, who was mayor for two stints between 2011 and 2013, said the mayor’s role was limited and was effectively chairman of the full council as well as representing the town at civic events.

But he said he would like to see the compulsory purchase of the Old Falcon pub in the market square to enhance the appearance of the area.

“I would like to see the swimming pool site happen as was promised by the new trust for the spring this year,” he said.

Cllr Chapman said the year ahead was “packed” with events which he was looking forward to attending as mayor.

They included the town hosting a major waterways festival, the popular armed forces day, the rowing regatta and dragon boat racing.

INFO: The IWA Festival of Water will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, from August 25-27. There will be attractions along the Great River Ouse at Regatta Meadow.