WOKINGHAM town centre's regeneration is nearing completion, according to the council.

Denmark Street reopened on Saturday, August 18, but Broad Street closed on Monday until this Saturday (25).

The road is set to be fully open before the end of the school holidays, but there will continue to be a lane closure on Peach Street.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) announced last week that shoppers would be able to 'move freely around Market Place', with the exception of a number of remedial works including drainage, cleaning and sealing, which is taking place this week.

Town traders are being reminded that support is still available via the Wokingham Business Association for ongoing business help during the regeneration works.

Businesses must apply for the support themselves, which includes access to local Section 47 Business Rates Relief, free consultancy support showing how to seek national Business Rates Relief from Vail Williams, and free marketing and advice through Love Wokingham.

Businesses' needs are assessed individually, and the council is urging all businesses who haven't yet taken advantage of the scheme to get involved.

Cllr Phillip Mirfin, executive member for regeneration at Wokingham Borough Council said: "Support has been offered via the local Business Association, following discussions with businesses last year, and is still available, but businesses must apply for this themselves.

"We have no powers allowing businesses to avoid Business Rates, because these are a national tax controlled by Her Majesties Revenue and Customs. But we have approached John Redwood MP, on behalf of our local businesses, asking him to speed up the national process.

"The discount for Boots, Clarkes, John Wood Sports, and Strange the jewellers three years ago was a reduction through the national relief scheme supported by Vail Williams.

"This support is free to businesses to give them the knowledge and tools to make their own discount claims. But if businesses choose to appoint Vail Williams or another third party to make the claim on their behalf, then this is a matter between the individual business and the company concerned. The council isn’t involved and therefore cannot comment on the costs that a company charges for its services.

"We have fulfilled our statutory obligations under the Localism Act 2011 (Part 4 non-domestic rates) through the Section 47 Business Rates Relief scheme, but we’ve gone further by organising additional support, such as the advice from Vail Williams, and the marketing schemes mentioned above.

"So, support has been made available, and still is. But only a handful of businesses have taken advantage of it. So we urge those businesses to do so if they haven’t yet."

The town centre is expected to be handed over from Balfour Beatty on August 31, when the scheme is due to be completed.