New town centre cleaning scheme launched in Evesham
Evesham Place Board and four key local businesses have joined forces with Wychavon to help keep Evesham Town Centre clean and tidy.
Staff from Johnsons Property Consultants, Sheldon Bosley Knight, Galleries Properties, and The Valley will join Wychavon’s army of volunteer litter pickers by giving up their time to deliver 104 dedicated cleaning sessions over the next 12 months across core areas of the town centre.
The additional twice-weekly cleaning sessions will focus on high-use pedestrian zones, including shopping streets, approaches to hospitality venues, and areas where quick-response cleaning can make the greatest impact.
Wychavon is supporting the Place Board scheme by funding, through its share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, an Overton machine - a highly effective litter vacuum, affectionately described as “a Ghostbuster-style cleaning pack” due to its wearable design and powerful, targeted cleaning capability.
The equipment allows operatives to remove grime, debris, and stains quickly and safely, providing a fast, flexible way to refresh high‑footfall spaces. Wychavon has also invested in a second Overton machine, which will be used by the council’s contractors as part of their normal street-cleaning routine.
The Place Board initiative builds on Wychavon’s highly successful Adopt a Street scheme. More than 2,100 individuals, groups and businesses across the district volunteer their time on a regular basis to clear up their local area, supported by Wychavon.
Phil Maclean, Chair of Evesham Place Board, said: “This is a practical, high‑visibility project that will make an immediate difference to the look and feel of Evesham town centre. By working together with Wychavon and local businesses who care deeply about the town, we're taking a proactive step to support retail, hospitality, and the broader community.”
Cllr Emma Stokes, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Resources, Investment and Innovation, said: “It’s fantastic to see local businesses taking such pride in Evesham and getting behind this initiative. Projects like this show the strength of partnership in the town and the shared commitment to keeping Evesham welcoming for residents and visitors.”
Ben Maiden, Associate Director of participating business Sheldon Bosley Knight, added: “We’re proud to be part of an initiative that contributes directly to improving Evesham. A clean, attractive town centre is essential for encouraging footfall, boosting local trade, and enhancing the overall atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.”
Wychavon created place boards in Evesham, Droitwich Spa and Pershore in 2022. Made up of volunteers from the business and community sector, they help drive the vision in the town centre investment prospectuses, supported by funding from Wychavon.
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/town-centres to find out more about the work of the three place boards.