Restoring Northeast Hamilton to its former glory ? that?s the goal of a new business collective which aims to spark an economic, spiritual and social renaissance in the area.

Steve Simons, deputy chairman of the Uptown Market Association (UMA), believes that a sense of inclusiveness is key to getting the community to pull together to improve things.

He explained that representatives from almost every business in the area between Cedar Avenue and King Street and to the north of Victoria Street have already shown an interest in the UMA which meets on a weekly basis.

Through these meetings, a strategic plan is being developed to improve the area, which the UMA says has been bypassed and neglected as the rest of Hamilton has thrived over the past 50 years.

?This is not just about enhancing the area aesthetically. At the moment we have a problem with the mindset of people, who are feeling that ?anything goes? here without restrictions and we have to change that mindset,? he said.

?We feel it?s important that people are made conscious of the situation they are in, and exercising some respect for the community and making people feel part of it will go a long way toward improving things.

?Coming up with a plan for developing the area is a heck of an opportunity, and we are having a forum to discuss our ideas and visions next month.?

Mr. Simons, managing director of The Spinning Wheel nightclub on Court Street, said it was too early to discuss the plans in detail.

However, he did reveal that ideas include pushing for more active Police patrols, and also directing people towards Government agencies that can assist them with acquiring employment-related skills.

He added that anyone who would like to get involved with the UMA is welcome to attend their meetings, which are held each Friday at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute at 7 p.m.