WWW.REVIVEANDTHRIVE.CO.UK REVIVEANDTHRIVE #34 @REVIVE_THRIVE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES The finest eloquence is that PLACEwhich gets things done + REVIVE & THRIVE MID-YEAR REVIEW + Blachere Music & Lights Competition 2019 + Placemaking News from Across the UK + Advice from Expert Bloggers illumination inspired REVIVE & THRIVE’S What’s3 In Edition #34 Summer’s here! 4. How could you benefit from USING screen to benefit tourism screen tourism in your place? 6. How community engagement can drive customer loyalty and ultimately sales Welcome to Place Magazine #34. 7. New £15m fund for social enterprises This month I feel like we could almost fill the magazine ourselves with everything that 8. Extended Deadline! Last we’ve got going on at the moment! Chance to Enter the Music and Lights Competition 2019 Now that the dust has settled on our Annual 9. New Tailored BID Membership Conference and the feedback is in we thought 10. UK BIDs Feasibility Programme we’d share some of it with you as well as let you know about the great Regional HUGE fund for social enterprises 11. City’s transport leaders back Networking Events that we have planned for business district’s call for clean air Autumn and next year. 13. Praise for Kirkcaldy BIDs ‘bold Matthew Powell has written a great summary approach’ to town centre issues of all the various projects that we’re involved 14. Mid-year Review: Reaching in a mid-year review on page 14 but I’d New Heights also like to highlight something we are very 15. Town Centre Worker Discount excited about. Card Launched in Chippenham The UK BIDs Feasibility Programme is 16. Slough firms give the nod for a project that we’ve just launched and new business development district to ‘improve town centre’ something that we really think changes the landscape of BID development in the UK. SHAKING up the world of BIDs 17. See the history of Coventry This will give towns and cities the possibility come alive in a new tourist map to carry out feasibility studies risk-free and, 18. City Festival To Celebrate maybe, even cost free. Have a look at the full Nottingham’s Independents run-down on page 10. 19. ‘One Great Day’ in Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre If you are a current or new BID be sure to have a look at the new tailored BID membership 20. Canterbury’s Medieval Pageant package (page 9) that we’ve designed 2019 - everything you need to especially for you. This is customised to give know BIDs peace of mind throughout their entire 21. Regional Networking Events term with continuous health-checks and 22. Annual Conference 2019 Review consultancy. NEW BID coming to Slough 24. Crowds flock to Skipton’s Good news for anyone entering the Blachere annual heritage Sheep Day is that, due festivities Music & Lights Competition to popular demand, we’ve extended the 25. St Peters Quarter BID organises deadline another month until August 19th fraud awareness day - please do get your entries in as soon as 29. Ideas from Across the Pond... possible though!
30. 91% of shoppers will return if As always we have some great articles from customer service is good around the UK and beyond including a great 31. Leeds Jurassic Trail one on screen tourism overleaf, news about 32. Police grant York Street a huge fund for social enterprises and historic Rangers more power buildings on page 7 as well as projects and ideas from BIDs and Councils across the CELEBRATING independents 34. Ferrious named Best Dressed country. Window in Altrincham 36. How the Essex new town of Please do keep sending in your projects, ideas, Harlow is rediscovering its blogs and photos so we can show everyone founding ideals what you’re doing for your Place. 41. Businesses vote yes to Northwich BID2 Stephen Blackwell 46. Business Improvement District Services – 5 stages Marketing, Events & 50. New Revive and Thrive Membership Manager Membership Benefits E: [email protected] Telephone: 03330 124285 GOING MEDIEVAL in Canterbury
Editor in Chief Assistant Editor WWW.REVIVEANDTHRIVE.CO.UK REVIVEANDTHRIVE Stephen Blackwell Mark Barnes Tel: 03330 124285 @REVIVE_THRIVE © 2019 Revive & Thrive REVIVE & THRIVE’S 4 How could you benefit from screen tourism in your place? some of the beneficial effects that Helen Johns screen tourism can bring. So what can you do? To answer this question, let me use the example of Thame, which has Last month Helen wrote an excellent article ‘The Role of Screen Tourism in experienced an upsurge in profile and Place-Making’ and her attribution was visitor numbers because of Midsomer mistakenly absent from it. We sincerely Murders being filmed in the town and apologise for the error. Please note that surrounding villages in Oxfordshire and the work was entirely Helen’s and not Buckinghamshire. from the editorial team. First, though, you need to identify a theme around which activities can be In last month’s issue of Place Magazine, based. Some research may be required - I talked about screen tourism and for example, did any celebrated authors the positive impact it can have on spend time in your town or city? Was local economies, bringing visitors to their work translated into film or a TV other interested parties to a Midsomer destinations used as filming locations, to series? Is there local folklore (from King workshop. About 50 people attended experience at first hand what they saw Arthur to Robin Hood) and has this been and heard an expert on Midsomer on screen. brought to the screen? There will be tourism talk about the potential of this something! Just look at what happens marketplace. Midsomer Murders had Some places experiencing increases in each year in Whitby - all because the been aired in 100 countries and one visitor numbers as a result of screen author of Dracula (there are over 50 billion people globally had seen the tourism are already tourist destinations Dracula films) spent a little time there series. These people wanted to see the in their own right. An example is Port in the 1890s! Thousands flock to this quintessential England they had seen Isaac in North Cornwall - the fictional seaside town for Gothic weekends, when on TV, and Thame was part of that Portwenn in Doc Martin. This much- it becomes a temple to all things Gothic. quintessential England. It was recognised loved TV series has brought thousands that businesses engaging directly with of new visitors to the region. Other In Thame, about three years ago, it the Midsomer concept experienced places have been less successful in was recognised that the Midsomer quantifiable growth as a result, therefore attracting visitors before screen tourism phenomenon was benefiting other opportunities should be maximised, so put the spotlight on them. The rural towns in ‘Midsomer County’ such as that visitors would have as enjoyable a economy around Glencoe, mentioned Henley-on-Thames or Wallingford. Midsomer experience as possible when in the previous article, was weak before These places were featured on a Visit they came to Thame - or Causton, to the tourist influx caused by Skyfall being Midsomer website developed by the give it its Midsomer name! filmed there. local district council, but Thame wasn’t. What could Thame do to become Three specific actions were agreed – But let’s say that your place is not better recognised as a Midsomer hub • Develop a Midsomer walking trails currently a major tourist destination. and attract more visitors? The journey leaflet for Thame and area And let’s say that you could do with began by inviting local businesses and • Initiate regular Midsomer tours of Thame • Propose Midsomer plaques on buildings used as filming locations
With the help of volunteers, council grant funding, and some research into filming locations (there are 22 in Thame alone) a Visit Midsomer trails leaflet was created and distributed widely – in the town hall information centre, the museum, hotels, cafes and pubs locally. It was also distributed to pubs in surrounding villages used as filming locations. There was evidence that overseas tourists drove round visiting locations and ticking them off their list. The leaflet would help them.
Thame has a 132-seat theatre owned and run entirely by volunteers. It was recognised that, if actors became tour guides they would actually be taking on PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES acting roles - except not on stage! One 5 theatre member, a Midsomer fan who had attended the workshop, recruited six tour guides from the membership, devised a walking tour that would take in all Thame’s filming locations, developed a script, and trained the guides to deliver it. The tours were launched in April 2017 and are held weekly on Wednesdays between April and October, lasting an hour and priced at an affordable £7.50 per person. Tours can also be arranged on a bespoke basis on other days.
They have been a great success from the beginning. Email enquiries are now received from fans all over the world, seeking to book places on the regular tour or on other days. People can buy tickets using an established booking system (TicketSource) or pay on the day. The tours are promoted in the leaflet, on the Visit Midsomer and Thame Town Council websites and in the media. It was quickly discovered that the media, this has contributed to raising Thame’s benefiting the local economy. both printed and online, love anything to profile, and supportive emails arrived do with Midsomer! from Midsomer fans as far away as As in Thame, a good starting point is Australia. to hold a workshop and invite local This is year three. Each year, the businesses, community and tourist numbers taking the tour have doubled Another strand emerging from organisations. Once the theme has and it’s estimated that well over 1000 the Midsomer workshop was the been agreed, priorities might include people will have taken part by the end development of Midsomer-related developing communication outlets such of this season. The guides now number products. Rumsey’s Chocolaterie in as leaflets, websites and social media; ten – many from the theatre, some Thame, a Midsomer location, has sold temporary or permanent exhibitions at from other walks of life - even town in excess of 1000 Barnaby Buns to a local museum or other venue; tours; councillors - and all are volunteers. date and has also launched Midsomer themed events or festivals; product Income raised covers administration chocolate lollipops. The Deli at No. 5, development; talks and presentations; costs with the rest shared between also in Thame, has launched Barnaby links with tourist organisations and tour charitable causes (a total of £2400 so Blue Cheese, already a bestseller, and operators; commemorative statuary far) including Thame Museum, a filming expects to launch Midsomer Gin in the and plaques. The list is endless, but location and start point for the tours. near future. with careful planning and dedication, the attraction you’ve developed will The Thame walking tour is also featured Other ways of developing Midsomer continue to bear fruit for decades into in third-party tourist offerings, including in Thame are still being devised: www. the future. There is certainly no sign of a joint walking tour and steam train facebook.com/thamemidsomertours Midsomer tailing off anytime soon. trip promoted by Chinnor & Princes has just been launched with over 350 Risborough Steam Railway – a Midsomer followers attracted within two months To find out more about Thame’s filming location nearby. This was made - many from overseas. Some have said experience, get in touch with Helen possible by engaging with a local DMO, they now want to come to Thame Johns at [email protected] or Visit Buckinghamshire, that has really when visiting the UK in the next year. Becky Reid, Thame Town Council, at got behind Midsomer. With their help, Another initiative is the development [email protected]. the Thame tour features in offerings of Midsomer murder mystery events in from three tour operators this year. partnership with a local hotel (a filming Helen Johns is a freelance copywriter location) in 2020. Thame was already based near Thame, Oxfordshire. She The third decision made at the an attractive, historic market town, but is a member of Thame Town Council’s Midsomer workshop was to propose Midsomer has raised its profile even Visitor Economy Working Group, and plaques on buildings commemorating higher, bringing visitors from all over of 21st Century Thame, a partnership Midsomer Murders episodes filmed the world. These visitors have been between local businesses, community there. Many of the locations are listed, delighted to set foot in Thame - a town groups and town and district councils, so the installation of plaques meant they may never have come across, were coming together to help ensure Thame going through the planning application it not for the attraction of Midsomer. stays vibrant and viable as a market process, a protracted exercise that has Perhaps, as you read this, you are town. ultimately met with refusal from the already feeling inspired to develop a planning department. tourist theme for your place? But if you Helen Johns discover your place has connections with T: +44 (0) 1844 281562 Despite this, a positive outcome from a character, TV show or film, be aware M: +44 (0) 771 743 4983 the Midsomer plaques journey so far has that nothing happens overnight - it is E: [email protected] been the level of press coverage – both especially gratifying to see the result S: helen_johns1 local and national – with features on ITV of collective efforts over time. Your W: www.resultsdepartment.co.uk national and regional news, pieces in investment will be repaid handsomely the Telegraph, Times, and others. All of - raising profile, bringing visitors, and REVIVE & THRIVE’S 6
Community engagement brings positive engagement needs to be at the heart outcomes to retail spaces and the of any marketing plan. They need to tenants within by building consumer be acutely aware of not only their trust in the retailers and by reducing immediate community but also the the importance of what is actually being wider population at large. It’s important sold. to understand what you, as a business can learn from those living and working PinPointer Place and It’s not just about the stores but what in the surrounding areas by asking such happens outside them too. Both high questions as: Commercialisation Manager, streets and shopping centres need to Lisa Smith offer more. They need to offer a link to • What do visitors actually gain from the communities they are based in and having this space? create something for everyone. It’s no • Does what happens in the space longer ‘just’ about somewhere to shop create an emotional response at but rather a place that offers actual some level for visitors? physical experiences. Whether that’s • Would people come to experience craft workshops for the kids, gin tasting this without the need to purchase? events for parents or live music it’s no longer just about shopping. It’s about So for us here at PinPointer, retailers and Your Place or Mine? creating a day out, a reason to visit and operators that will survive and thrive stay in for longer periods of time. in the future will be those that become How community mixed-use, multi-purpose areas that engagement can drive The retail landscape has been and is provide their immediate communities continuing to be dramatically reshaped with tangible value that keeps them on customer loyalty and with the explosive growth of e-retailing, the premises and in stores longer, but ultimately sales meaning spaces such as shopping also encouraging them to come back and centres need to completely rethink create true word-of-mouth referrals long With the rise of the online or ‘e-retailer’ their marketing strategies in order to after they leave. and convenience technology making it survive and thrive. Marketing plans must easier than ever to shop from home, be tailored to meet the specific needs For more information about how we shoppers need a real reason to visit of the local communities focusing on help you engage with your community physical bricks and mortar retail spaces. events that create a lasting experience and make your marketing budget work They need to offer customers something for the, providing longevity to a visit. for you – more than the traditional visit and shop mentality of years gone by. And this is But what does this actually mean? For Contact Lisa Smith at PinPointer where community engagement has a key retailers and operators it means that [email protected] role to play. when allocating budget, community Tel: 0161 8501400 PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 7
St Nicholas Street, Ipswich – Ipswich Building Preservation Trust Havens Department Store, Southend-on-Sea – Age Concern Southend New £15m fund for social enterprises and charities to transform high streets using historic buildings In July the AHF (Architectural Heritage Across the country, there are many to upper floors where there were Fund) launched an exciting new £15m examples of local enterprises bringing significant issues of vacancy and neglect. grant fund and programme of support historic high street buildings back to focused on reinvigorating England’s life - from the development of Liskeard Since 2014 Great Yarmouth Preservation high streets and town centres. The aim Library in Cornwall to the transformation Trust has acquired and repaired listed of the Transforming Places through of the former Havens department store buildings which were in a state of Heritage fund is to support community in Southend into a hub for older people. severe deterioration, created viable led projects that will contribute to the In Great Yarmouth a local trust has done and sustainable new uses including transformation of high streets and town much to reinvigorate King Street which an art gallery, artist studios, quality centres, to help towns become thriving is one of the town’s principal historic residential housing and offices. The trust places, to strengthen local communities trading streets. Located within the King has provided training and engagement and encourage local economies to Street Conservation Area and within opportunities for the community and prosper. It is part of a wider initiative to the mediaeval town walls, King Street established a social enterprise company revive heritage high streets in England, contains a high proportion of listed employing people it has trained during alongside Historic England’s High Streets and historic buildings. The street forms the restoration works. Heritage Action Zones. Together, these part of one of the most deprived wards programmes form part of the Future in the eastern region, with a range of Although many buildings in King High Streets Fund, administered by the social and economic issues. By 2010 70% Street are still in need of repair the Ministry of Housing, Communities and of shops in southern King Street were creation of quality residential units Local Government. closed and boarded up this extended has helped to form a community who in turn have opened empty shops as The fund is focused towards individual cafes, hairdressers and convenience heritage buildings in, or transferring to, stores which serve the community. community ownership. It will support Furthermore, supporting residential charities and social enterprises to housing in King Street has helped to develop projects with the potential shape a vibrant and lively area, this to bring new life to high streets by small-scale mixed-use micro economy creating alternative uses for redundant could provide a blue print for other high or underused historic buildings in town streets across the country. centres. The fund will provide a range of funding for projects at different stages of More details on how to apply and development - whether just starting out, project eligibility are available at ahfund. looking to develop detailed plans, or org.uk/tpth ready to restore a building. Grants range from a few thousand pounds for viability For further information please contact: studies, to up to £350k for a limited [email protected] / 020 7925 0199 number of transformational projects.
King Street, Great Yarmouth – Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust REVIVE & THRIVE’S 8
Extended Deadline! Last Chance to Enter the Music and Lights Competition 2019
The Annual Blachere Christmas Competition is Back and it’s better than ever! As well as another £20,000 worth of lights there is a stunning musical performance to win.
The Blachere Competition is becoming The Prizes – An Investor, or as much loved as the festive period A Tourist, or First prize – £10,000 worth of Christmas itself and this year we’ve made it even A Shopper, or Lights better with a bigger prize and simpler A visitor with an interest in heritage way to enter. New this year: First place will also This video can be supported by 1 to enjoy The Jerseys performing at their First let’s meet the Christmas Light 5 photos and a two hundred word Christmas Light Switch On event (see Competition 2018 winners. covering descriptor if deemed necessary below) to set the scene of the videos In 2018 it was Ormskirk that walked Second prize – £2,000 worth of away with the top prize of £10,000 Christmas Lights of Christmas Lights with Farnborough What Next – coming a close second. and leaving with Initially register intent viaonline form Third prize – eight runner up prizes of £2,000 of lights. to ensure that you receive updates and £1,000 each The runners up each won a prize of hints and tips. We will also email you £1,000 worth of lights. Those heading terms and conditions. PLUS – All applicants get a massively home with a runners up prize are, in discounted ticket to our Reviving our no particular order, – Thame, Putney, Simply send in a link to your video Towns Conference, July 2-3 at the Kidsgrove, Lancaster, Pontardawe, (from Youtube, Facebook, Gdrive Imperial War Museum in Manchester Portishead, Halifax, Salisbury, St Helens etc) and supporting files to mark@ and Sunderland. reviveandthrive.co.uk by the deadline Key Dates – above. Who can enter – Launch date – 5th March 2019 Applications close – 19th August 2019 At least ten finalists will be invited to Anyone can enter. Notify shortlisted candidates – 23rd give a very brief presentation at a venue August 2019 to be confirmed. As a resident or local business, why not Final – 5th September 2019 enter on behalf of your town centre?
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), The Competition Councils, Town Teams or Business Using only a mobile phone, make a Groups/Chamber of Trades are all video to sell your town, city, high street, organisations that we anticipate will be shopping centre or community. taking part. Register Now Applicants can choose to ‘pitch’ their place to either – PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 9
New Tailored BID Membership Up to five years of customised membership benefits to see you through every year of your BID term.
We have created a custom membership for Business Improvement Districts that is designed to give peace of mind to their directors, managers and boards.
Often, after BIDs are given approval, they are left unsupported and unchecked until ballot time comes around. In this unique approach we give annual feedback, reports and knowledge throughout the BID term at whatever year you are in.
BIDs can take out the membership at any point in their term and only pay for the remaining years with annual installments or with one payment up front. What do you get? As well as the extensive Full Place Membership What does it cost? benefits listed at the end of the magazine and online Payment can be made with annual installments you will receive the following during your BID term: or one up front payment. You will only pay installments for the number of years that remain TERM YEAR 1 in your BID term. You will pay at the anniversary of Bi-monthly, templated emails which include best joining each year via recurring payment with a 12 practice and other articles narrated by us for the BID to month contract. share with levy payers. This will help them understand that by being within a BID they are part of a national Installment 1: £600 movement. Installment 2: £400 Installment 3: £350 TERM YEAR 2 Installment 4: £350 BID status health-check. At a non-critical time Installment 5: £300 understand how the BID is currently shaping up. There is also the option to include BCR This health-check will include a full review of BID Accreditation at an extra £150 per year. activities to include review of projects progress against business plan, survey of directors, interview with manager and more. This great membership combined with our new UK BIDs Feasibility Programme overleaf make a simple, effective and reliable course for your TERM YEAR 3/4 complete BID development. Sentiment assessments. Gauge the sentiment of the levy payers pre renewal.
With one eye on taking the BID onto a second five year tenure the sentiment assessment will include short business survey sent via BID’s CRM, interview with Click here to contact us and find manager etc. out more information >> This is perfect for identifying any ‘red flags’ that might hamper the renewal ballot. Alternatively contact us on: TERM YEAR 5 03330 124 285 Visit from one of the team where we will discuss an [email protected] agenda for 8 hours free consultancy.
REVIVE & THRIVE’S 10
Changing the landscape of UK BIDs
The United Kingdom’s only no upfront fee, the opportunity to The best part of this programme is programme that gives every place receive a full BID feasibility study that if the study finds that the BID the opportunity to establish the giving you: is not feasible for your area, or if feasibility of a BID without risk and you choose to work with Revive & maybe even without a fee. • Confidence that a BID will work Thrive to develop your BID, then you • Quality, data driven business won’t have to pay for the feasibility Revive & Thrive Ltd is the only UK consultation study at all. The feasibility study organisation to offer the United • BID boundary and levy options could be absolutely free. If you Kingdom BID Feasibility Programme • A full Revive & Thrive feasibility decide to proceed with developing (UK BFP) enabling risk-free research report on a BID in your area, a BID and choose to partner with a into the feasibility of a Business including approximate levy different company the full cost of Improvement District (BID) for your income and representative the feasibility will be payable. locality. Your place won’t pay a data on the business landscape penny until the BID goes forward in your area. We’ll be releasing more details in the into the development phase and coming days and the programme even then, there may not be any fee We specialise in BIDs for towns, will officially launch on August 1st. at all. cities and industrial estates, giving you the benefit of an expert and The new UK BFP provides, with experienced team, passionate about places.
Numbers are limited so please ensure that your place is at the front of the Register Your queue by registering your potential Interest Now interest on the form here. PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES City’s transport leaders back business 11 district’s call for clean air Key players shaping Birmingham’s transport use was a recurrent theme in clean engine standards, expanding our transport agenda have backed Colmore conversations throughout the day. tram and rail networks, and introducing Business District’s call for politicians, new cycling and walking initiatives. businesses and the wider community The opening of Birmingham City to come together to find new ways Council’s consultation on its draft “As well as improving the quality of the of tackling the city’s toxic levels of air Walking and Cycling Strategy also air we breathe, fewer car journeys will pollution. coincided with Clean Air Day – the reduce traffic congestion, which already consultation runs until Friday, August costs this region £2 billion each year.” Councillors Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet 2 – so there was an equal emphasis on Member for Transport & Environment people using alternative travel modes As one of Birmingham’s designated at Birmingham City Council and Kath and making other behavioural changes, Green Travel Districts and with some Hartley, Chair of the West Midlands with Councillor Zaffar even trying out 35,000 people working in Colmore Combined Authority’s (WMCA) one of the bikes on display for size! Business District, Paul Fielding of Transport Delivery Committee, lent their investment and wealth managers Brewin support to an open event Colmore BID Praising everyone involved in the event, Dolphin based in Colmore Row, believes hosted in the city centre as part of the Councillor Zaffar said: the area in which he works has a big nationwide campaign to improve quality part to play in the city’s environmental – Clean Air Day UK – on Thursday, June “I’m hugely grateful to Colmore BID for agenda. 20. putting on this wonderful engagement opportunity where a number of partners Paul, who also heads up Colmore BID”s They were joined by representatives have come together to connect with Accessible & Connected Working Group, from Birmingham City Council, our city centre community around the which specialises in transportation issues Birmingham Connected, Brompton important changes we need to make within the District, said: Bicycles, Midland Metro Alliance, ahead of the introduction of the Clea National Express West Midlands, Public Air Zone, and in general, to ensure that “As a Green Travel District, we always Health England and West Midlands Birmingham becomes a city where celebrate Clean Air Day and this year we Railway who were on hand to offer breathing clean air is a reality.” invited partners to gather together to advice and encouragement to passers- promote accessible and environmentally by about how they could help improve Councillor Kath Hartley, added:: friendly ways to commute to work and the air that’s breathed in Birmingham move around the city. – one of the worst areas outside London “Clean Air Day is a great opportunity for for air pollution – by adopting more us all to get involved in making the air “Our hope is that we can gradually environmentally friendly behaviour. cleaner and healthier. change people’s attitudes and their approach to travel and that they adopt Given the recent news that the “The WMCA and Transport for West other means of sustainable behaviour. proposed Clean Air Zone charging Midlands are working hard to make it After all, we all want to breathe clean scheme – set to be introduced in easier for people to leave their cars at air.” January 2020 – has been delayed by six home. This includes helping operators to months, encouraging an uptake in public upgrade bus fleets to the latest ultra-
Councillor Waseem Zaffar REVIVE & THRIVE’S 12 Is your High Street looking dull?
Do your traders need inspiration?
If Ifyou you answered answered ‘Yes’‘Yes’ thenthen we cancan help!help!
We teach the basic steps of window Dressing, so your retailers know just what to do!
Inspiration & great ideas for colourful High Streets!
www.madeyoulookmadeyoustare.co.uk PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 13
Praise for Kirkcaldy BID’s ‘bold approach’ to town centre issues Kirkcaldy’s campaign to create a their bold vision for the town. It is encourage others to look at the carbon- framework for growth to attract inward looking to create a framework for neutral opportunities afforded by our investment continues – with a focus on growth – focused on quality of place - natural resources and location.” green initiatives for the town. that will help to shape the town’s future by Kirkcaldy, for Kirkcaldy – but with real The BID is interacting with many audiences and agencies in its drive to Representatives from Kirkcaldy4All, the benefits that will radiate to a far wider create a unique framework. town’s business improvement district, area.” have met with Mark Smillie, head of In the last week, it has engaged with Fife partner support and finance at the The group’s backing is the latest Council’s Place Standard programme in Central Scotland Green Network Trust. development following the launch a join event staged with the University of a Citizens’ Lab and KirkcaldyNow of Dundee that engaged with members It provides capacity to help realise the initioatives by the BID. of the public at an exhibition in The Scottish Government’s vision, namely Kirkcaldy Centre. Bill Harvey, manager at Kirkcaldy4All, that by 2050, Central Scotland will have said: “We want our framework for been transformed into a place where the Mr Harvey added: “Our Citizens’ Lab growth to have a beating green heart, continues to attract feedback from those environment adds value to the economy one that will help to transform Kirkcaldy and where people’s lives are enriched by living and working in the town, feeding into a place where people want to live in their ideas for our town’s future. its quality. and work. “We have met with our improvement Mark welcomed the work behind ”If we can harness green technology and district’s own levy-payers to keep them done by the BID to drive Kirkcaldy’s green initiatives to help deliver those up to date on plans going forward.” transformation. goals, we will be making great progress for the community.” Over the coming weeks, the BID’s work He said: “It is an innovative and bold continues with more meetings planned approach that is bringing many public He highlighted the town’s existing with stakeholders. green credentials – not least of all the and private sector partners to the table ground-breaking Greener Kirkcaldy, a Mark concludes: “We very much support – all essential if real, sustainable change community-led charity and development is to be delivered. their work and hope – in a collaborative trust working locally to benefit to local approach – that we can realise shared people and the environment. aims: to add value, and through delivery, “It is clear that Kirkcaldy’s business create change.” improvement district, engaging with He said: “We want to shine a light on multiple partners, is helping to shape the work being done in the town – and REVIVE & THRIVE’S 14
People Progressing Places
Mid-year Review: Reaching New Heights It’s been a brilliantly busy year so far Steering Group and Bournemouth, some great successes achieved in for Revive & Thrive. Christchurch and Poole Council the BID’s first term. which has allowed them to secure We’ve just come off a fantastic funding to develop their BID to Also in Wiltshire, we have recently result in the Slough BID ballot with ballot stage. been commissioned by the Swindon a resounding 80% yes for rateable and Wiltshire LEP to undertake an value and 65% for numbers. Without Having visited many towns over initial scoping study to investigate wasting any time, now that we’ve the years, Christchurch is one the potential for rolling out a number seen Slough through their feasibility which offers one of the best first of industrial BIDs across the LEP and ballot stages of development, impressions I’ve ever had and I’m area. we are also very pleased to sure a BID there, in a county which announce that we have been chosen already has seven BIDs, will see the Finally, for now, we are very pleased to stay on board and consult on their town go from strength to strength. to be able to announce that Revive implementation phase (step 3 in our & Thrive was recently awarded the comprehensive 5-step programme) The team has also completed contract to work with businesses in into a fully functioning BID. successful BID feasibility studies Harlow and with the council there for three areas in Wales where we on a new BID feasibility study and You may also have seen that we’ve are working with Blaenau Gwent development. We have only just met just held our Annual Conference and Powys Councils, along with with the team there for the first time 2019 in Manchester and, as you’ll see local steering groups, to develop and are already getting a feel for the in the full review, it was a storming BID proposals for the Rassau challenges and opportunities facing success! Feedback has been very and Tafarnaubach Industrial the town. Following an initial open encouraging with testimonials Estates in Ebbw Vale and Brecon meeting for businesses in Harlow like “Absolutely fantastic, I got so and Newtown, Revive & Thrive’s towards the end of next month, much from it and the location was hometown. The plan is for the we will be carrying out extensive fantastic, I am still talking about industrial estates to ballot in consultations to understand the the whole experience now, thank November and the two towns in feelings of the business community you”. We have a host of regional Powys in early 2020. towards developing a set of BID events coming up in Blaenau Gwent, proposals. Wimborne and Slough this year and Also heading to ballot in November several to be announced very soon is our newest client, Globe Business As if that wasn’t enough, we have for next spring. Park BID, which will be seeking to other proposals for other projects secure a second term beginning coming together and are excited We have also just been January 2020. Compared to most by all of the fantastic projects we’re commissioned to assess the BIDs, Globe has a small number currently working on as well as the Bournemouth Businesses of levy payers and we are looking new opportunities we’re developing. Reducing Crime partnership with forward to getting to know them official accreditation and write them over the coming months. We wish the BIDs, steering groups a new constitution going forward. and businesses in all of our project We are also working hard on towns the best of luck as we work Early on in the year, we completed another renewal ballot, this time with them towards their respective a feasibility report for a potential for one of our longest-standing ballots. BID for Christchurch. Businesses clients, Chippenham BID. This BID there were very engaged with the goes to ballot in October and we Matthew Powell, project and we have subsequently are currently putting together the Director of BIDs and Contracts done some work with the BID business plan for their second term, which will be looking to build on PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 15
Town Centre Worker Discount Card Launched in Chippenham Chippenham BID is delighted to businesses including estate agents offering discounts and incentives will be announce the launch of a town centre Atwell Martin, who can offer reduced found on www.chippenhamconnected. worker discount card for Chippenham, fees and financial advice to town centre com from the end of June. Kathryn which is available to everyone who workers. Crosweller said, “This isn’t intended works within the Chippenham BID area. to be a prescriptive promotion or an Several other businesses have already onerous project for businesses to Chippenham BID Manager, Kathryn confirmed they are happy to offer a maintain. The offers will change for Crosweller said, “A thriving town centre discount to town centre workers across some businesses depending on the is often supported by local workers who a range of industries including retailers season and what other promotions they can pop out during lunch or on their way Julian Charles, David Christopher and are running, so we’re encouraging those to and from work to do some shopping, Ecigwizard, and other businesses with the cards to ask at the till or at the helping to support other town centre including Dental Health for Life, Elkins time of booking if a discount is offered, businesses. For example, Chippenham Architects and Snap Fitness. in the same way as NUS and Blue Light has a high number of office staff, and Cards are used.” we hope that giving them an incentive Runel Tromp, Practice Manager of to shop in the town centre will see Dental Health for Life said, “Your overall The town centre worker discount card is footfall increase for other town centre health start with your oral health! available through the Chippenham BID businesses.” Our free consultation for town centre team to owners, managers and directors workers will give you some time to ask of companies in the Chippenham BID There are several businesses offering your questions and enable you to make area. If you are in a town centre business a discount to town centre workers, informed decisions about how to go and would like to offer a discount or from those you might visit daily such as forward.” would like some cards for your staff, Boswells in Emery Gate Shopping Centre please contact the team via email: info@ who give 10% on takeaways to specialist A list of participating businesses who are chippenhambid.co.uk. REVIVE & THRIVE’S 16
Slough firms give the nod for new business development district to ‘improve town centre’
Town centre firms have given their nod Chairman of the steering group, Andrew is fantastic news for Slough and I am for the development of a new Business Wright, from Kingdom Property Services pleased so many businesses want to play Improvement District (BID) in Slough. said: “We are delighted that businesses a part in improving the town centre. have recognised the difference that a Slough Borough Council says the BID BID can make to Slough Town Centre. “Slough like many town centres across will deliver more than £2 million of the UK is facing an increasingly difficult investment over its five-year term, which “Slough has such a lot going for it and economic climate and the BID will give starts on April 1, 2020, and will see the we hope the BID can be an essential part businesses the opportunity to help delivery of projects aimed at “improving of the growth and prosperity of the town shape improvements to the High Street, the environment” to do business in centre.” which will benefit them as well as Slough town centre. residents and visitors. Matt Powell, director of Revive & Thrive, The investment comes from a levy the organisation which worked with “The BID is an exciting new addition to on the rateable value of business businesses in the town to develop the our plan to keep the town centre clean, properties, and it is expected that the BID, said: “Having seen the positive safe and vibrant whilst we plan for large BID will be able to get additional funding impact that BIDs are having all across the scale regeneration.” from other sources. country, this is great news for all those who run businesses in, live, work or visit The BID will be governed by a board A steering group of the town’s Slough. of directors, made up of business businesses working with Slough representatives in the town centre, and Borough Council and others has driven “This vote means that Slough businesses a recruitment event will be taking place the BID project, and projects fall now have the chance to put their town later in the year. into five categories: safe and secure, back on the map.” environment, marketing and events, To get involved and find out more about business support and representation. Cllr Martin Carter, cabinet member for it, visit www.sloughbid.co.uk or email inclusive growth and skills, said: “This [email protected]. PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 17
See the history of Coventry come alive in a new tourist map
A new map celebrating the sights, smells The project will be a great help for You can pick up a copy from the Tourist and stories of Coventry has just been friends and family visiting Coventry Information Centre as well as various released. who want to experience authentic food, venues across the city, and you can culture, shopping and heritage. access the digital version here. The map shows off some favourite places in Foleshill road, with food tips, It has been created as part of Coventry’s Coventry’s Great Place Project is Great Place project which is being being delivered by the Coventry City transport routes and personal stories. delivered by the Coventry City of Culture of Culture Trust and is supported by Trust in the run up to 2021. Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council The new trail is the culmination of nine England, Historic England, Coventry City months work by 21 different community The Trust’s Community Connector Council, University of Warwick, Coventry groups, and there is something for Navkiran Mann said: “This trail brings to University, and Business Improvement everyone. life many stories that are associated with District and Trust funding. this historic and bustling area, and I’m It explores the history, culture and food looking forward to it being discovered by that makes Coventry the city it is today. a whole new generation of people.” REVIVE & THRIVE’S 18 City Festival To Celebrate Nottingham’s Independents
The annual ‘It’s In Nottingham’ Independent Festival is making a return to the city this Saturday 6 July, thanks to Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID). We’ll be celebrating ol’ Notts’ huge selection of independently owned businesses with free activities and events all over tahn.
Trinity Square is going to be bursting with music, stalls, and fun activities for workshops and events all day and with Phlexx Records to bring you a day all the family from 10am - 4pm: you can (almost) all night. Fancy learning how full of local artists, local DJ’s and local pedal your way to create a smoothie; to Risograph print? The Carousel breweries. make colourful flowers and turn them on Hockley Street has you covered. into jewellery, courtesy of the Bead Ever thought about being a barista? “Supporting Nottingham’s independent Shop; get yer hair braided and covered 200 Degrees is doing a brewing bar businesses is so important to help our in glitter; and there’ll be so much more… experience. If you want a party, you city flourish and to define it from other got it – Jamcafé have got an open deck cities in the area,” said Geoff Williams, Elsewhere, at yer fave independent event all day, Annie’s is having a street director of Nottingham BID. haunts, you can expect special party and Malt Cross have teamed up
Bury St Edmunds council and business leaders take ‘pride’ in Independents Week Town leaders have stated their ‘pride’ really involved with what is going on in we want to promote. in Bury St Edmunds’s businesses during the community. They look out for each Independents Week. other and buy one another’s products. “I am proud of the independent The shops are fully behind it and are businesses we have. Businesses are The venture, which runs until Sunday, giving lots of offers and promotions.” strong enough to not need events like July 7, seeks to raise awareness of the this, but I think it is important to show Independents Week, which started life support.” good work being done around the town. as ‘Independents Day’ in 2011, is one of the business improvement district’s Barry Peters, editor of the Bury Free Councillors and retailers joined town biggest annual events to promote the Press, said: “Independents Week is one crier Tony Appleton on Wednesday town. of the highlights of the year for Bury St to celebrate the eighth Independents Edmunds. Week. Rosie Hunter, owner of Vinyl Hunter and Curtain Hunters, said: “I think it’s really “The event honours not just the This year shopping bags are being given important and brings home the message independent retailers, which make Bury out, retailers are holding special offers about what we’re doing.” the shopping capital of west Suffolk, but and all businesses are benefiting from also the businesses that drive the local widespread publicity. Peter Thompson, Mayor of Bury St economy. Edmunds, said: “The independents are One of the key organisers is Mike so strong and they are something we “Through our newspaper campaign Kirkham, business support and can be really proud of. Very originally, Love Local we are looking to celebrate marketing manager for Bury St Edmunds I became a councillor to help provide this aspect of the town. Events like business improvement district, who said: entrepreneurs with greater support so Independents Week share an important “We have had great responses. This is they could fulfil their brilliant ideas. message of valuing what we have and all about celebrating what independent protecting it for future generations. businesses bring to the town. “Coming to Bury, what I noticed was the resilience of independents and the “It is a privilege to be celebrating the “Not only do they provide great number that sprung up after the credit success of independents this week with products and services, many of them are crunch. All of these businesses are what the business improvement district and of course the town crier Tony Appleton.” PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 19
‘One Great Day’ in Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre
Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre is “We were invited by the Victoria centre. While some want things to one of 200 shopping centres across the Shopping Centre to have a stall and happen quicker than they are, most of UK taking part in ‘One Great Day’. jumped at the chance. the businesses welcome the greater engagement and developing focus for Participating shopping centres provide Today we have been talking to people, the town centre. a special event or family fun day for handing out the UCI Guide and the local communities across the UK, whilst Harrogate BID map”. Most recently they undertook a car raising money for a number of great parking survey and have started dialogue causes. Research shows that successful BIDs are with North Yorkshire County Council. those that work closely with the local One Great Day was established in 2014 businesses and community – and that’s Sarah Wilson is chairman of Fighting and has so far raised over £500,000 for what we are aiming to do. Ependymoma, a charity that was set-up 113 different children’s charities along in 2013 after Chris Bramhall died the age with Great Ormond Street Hospital The Business Improvement District (BID) of 21. Children’s Charity. One Great Day now is an organisation that is run by a team covers over 70 million square feet of and BID Board that answers to the BID Sarah Wilson said: retail space across the United Kingdom, payers themselves. While Harrogate from Folkestone to Aberdeen and nearly Borough Council has representation on “For us it is about being part of the everywhere in-between! the board, but the BID doesn’t answer event, raising awareness and funds for to them. the charity. Victoria Shopping Centre will be raising money for Fight Ependymoma, Larger business in the BID area, the town Today we have talked to many,giving out which funds research into childhood centre, are required to pay the BID levy our brochure and running a tombola. ependymoma brain tumours as well as and smaller businesses have the option Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. to join. We are here again on Sunday or we have the Chris Bramhall Metal Thunder event Lis Robinson from the Harrogate BID The BID is demonstrating a new coming up on the 21 September, once said: approach to engaging with the town again at the Bilton Working Men’s Club.” and the development of the town REVIVE & THRIVE’S 20
Canterbury’s Medieval Pageant 2019 - everything you need to know Canterbury’s fascinating medieval The event will include historical back to Canterbury as it is a fantastic history will be brought to life in a characters, re-enactment groups, giants, celebration of our city’s rich cultural spectacular pageant and day of activities knights on horses and other activities in history. on Saturday (July 6). the Westgate Gardens from 11am. “We also know the event attracts such It is the fourth Medieval Pageant and There will be two free performances, a a huge influx of visitors and inspires parade through the city centre and an people, local and beyond, to linger Trail organised by the Canterbury afternoon of historic trail activities at 16 longer in the city and visit the many Business Improvement District (BID) and venues. wonderful shops and restaurants even features “royal” visitors. Canterbury has to offer.” Last year’s event saw 5,000 enjoy the Arriving to a fanfare will be King Henry II parade and 4,000 visits for the trail The Medieval Pageant is part of the BID’s and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine to pay venues. funding for events and festivals that penance for his role in the murder of have brought more than 285,000 people Archbishop Thomas Beckett. This year the trails feature medieval to the city over the last five years. architecture, Roman walls, the head of Queen Eleanor, taking centre stage, is a saint, a relic of Becket and the largest They include Pride Canterbury, still held as a feminist icon who created surviving medieval gateway in England, Canterbury Festival, Canterbury Vegan the Courts of Love and was the only providing a truly atmospheric time. Market, Wise Words, City Sound Project, Queen to go on crusade. bOing! In the City and Canterbury’s Visitors can also try their hand at Shakespeare Festival, as well as the Canterbury recently featured in a new activities including archery, a knight’s Medieval Pageant. BBC history series, Britain’s Most Historic school and jewellery and badge making. Towns, and was described by presenter For more information go to Prof Alice Roberts as “Britain’s most Canterbury BID chief executive Lisa canterburymedievalpageant.co.uk Plantagenet city.” Carlson said: “We are truly delighted to be bringing the Medieval Pageant PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 21
Regional Networking Events
Revive & Thrive partner with many organisations like BIDs and Councils to create events that are essential networking and strategic knowledge sharing occasionals for their regions.
These are for anyone wanting to make contributions to the future successes of their places and for those wanting to network and collaborate with others with engaging presentations, interactive workshops and fun networking sessions.
We have some fantastic lineups of speakers who are going to present examples of supporting creative and resilient high streets and share best practice on how to face its challenges. We also often run fascinating walking tours over lunch that compliment the ideas discussed during each day.
Please see the working agenda below for one of our next events in Wimborne (subject to addition/ change) for an idea of what to expect.
Wimborne Agenda Blaenau Gwent 17th September 2019, 10am - 3pm 3rd September 2019 Registration, Refreshments & Networking
Welcome - Simon Thomas, Wimborne BID Tackling Business Crime in Town and City Centres - Dr Wimborne Andrew Stafford, University of Gloucestershire 17th September 2019 New Drivers for ‘Green’ Streets - Hugh Frost, Revive & Thrive
Speed Networking Session
Lunch - With optional walking tour around Wimborne led by Simon Thomas, Wimborne BID Manager and Tammy Sleet, Slough BID Development Manager, Revive & Thrive 15th October 2019 Reducing Business Crime in your High Street - Martin Blackwell, Consultant *Subject to confirmation BIDBase: what’s it for? - Mike Mounfield, BIDBase Spring 2020 Coffee Break St Helens - March 18th Using Digital to Encourage Shopping Local - Jackie Mulligan, ShopAppy Cheltenham Summary and Close - Russell Downing, Revive & Thrive Willesden Green Book Tickets Now REVIVE & THRIVE’S 22
Annual Conference 2019 Review Imperial War Musuem North, July 2nd & 3rd
Revive and Thrive’s Annual Conference for 2019 is now over and we’ve had a truly great time, learnt a lot, met many, come away with new ideas and exciting new projects to take forward.
We’d especially like to thank all of our sponsors and exhibitors for supporting this event and making it possible:
“Absolutely fantastic, I got so much from it and the location was fantastic, I am still talking about the whole experience now, thank you” Feedback Form
“Just like to say many thanks for the recent invitation. I must say it was well worth the long trip and I will recommend to others in the future. Lots of useful information and some great presentations.” Jo Hillier-Raikes, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
“An excellent conference from R&T – fabulous setting, a strong range of topics with some that targeted new areas for Placemakers to consider, great people and wonderful food.” Jeff Caplan, Storecheckers
“Very well executed; lovely setting and a nice mix of speakers” Feedback Form
“Very informative, looking forward to the next one.” Feedback Form PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 23 REVIVE & THRIVE’S 24 Crowds flock to Skipton’s annual heritage Sheep Day festivities
A BRIGHT and sunny day ensured plenty for the youngsters to feast their so people who came to see us.” Skipton’s annual Sheep Day festival drew eyes on and and take part in. the crowds on Sunday. Voted as one of the county’s top ten For all ages there was a variety of best quirkiest events, the family day Almost 18,000 people visited the town demonstrations including drystone celebrates the origins of ‘Sheep Town’ by and enjoyed the warm weather and walling, spinning, weaving, rope making bringing the countryside into the heart warm atmosphere on a traffic-free high and an arts and craft market. of the town. street for the town’s heritage event. There were also stalls selling a range of ALONGSIDE Sheep Day, an additional Organised by the Events Team at food, refreshments and goodies on offer. attraction to mark the end of Armed Skipton Town Council with financial Forces Week was provided by the 5th support from the Skipton Business Kibble Bakery and Woof and Walk Regiment of the Royal Artillery, based at Improvement District, the event brought Skipton hosted a doggy aerobics session Catterick Garrison, and recently awarded together a whole range of attractions, and charity dog walk while Cabasa the Freedom of the Craven District. demonstrations and shows under the Carnival Arts presented their Butterfly banner of ‘The Countryside Comes to Wings and mask making workshops, A display of military vehicles outside the Town’ Incredible Edible will be there with their Town Hall attracted attention throughout interactive blender bikes and planting the day – as did the formal ‘flag lowering The centrepiece was, once again, workshops. ceremony’ at the end of the event. the highly popular ‘Sheep Show’ – an informative but amusing look at Events and tourism manager for Skipton The flag was folded and presented by Lt different breeds of sheep with shearing Town Council, Kerry Wheelwright, said: Col Sam Shepherd to the Royal British demonstrations and even dancing “We are absolutely delighted with the Legion bugler David Ellis. sheep. event – and it was brilliant to see so many people relaxing and enjoying our Mr Ellis, 84, who lives in Skipton, joined Elsewhere other demonstrations High Street. the Life Boys at the age of 10 where he included weaving, wood carving, started to play the bugle. He later joined drystone walling, embroidery and rope- “Sheep Day brings local families into the the Boys Brigade where he won the making. town centre for an enjoyable free day Silver Bugle three years in succession. out and it attracts welcome visitors from And there were not only sheep making further afield.” For over 40 years, Mr Ellis has been an appearance. an active member of the Royal British She added: “We were particularly Legion at Skipton, Cross Hills, Ilkley and Visitors were able to get up close to pleased at the popularity of our live Addingham. llamas and alpacas, goats, rabbits, birds music stage, something we introduced of prey, donkeys and a paddling of for the first time this year – but the Throughout this time he became the ducks. atmosphere across the whole day was band master to four different Boys’ great. Brigade Bands and a Girls’ Brigade For the first time this year, visitors Band. He was appointed Divisional Band enjoyed live music on the Drystone “Next year, Sheep Day will celebrate its Master and was part of the National Radio Stage with purposely placed and 25th anniversary so we’ll be looking to Band committee. appropriate straw bales for people to make it even better. rest and enjoy the sounds. He also won an award for services to the “A massive thank you to everyone who Royal British Legion. Dancing in the street was an optional took part – and, of course, the 18,000 or and free extra while there was always PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 25 St Peters Quarter BID organises fraud awareness day St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District in partnership with Derby City Pubwatch and Derbyshire Constabulary, recently organised a fraud awareness said: “I was really pleased with how the day for customers at banks and building Helen Wathall, chair of St Peters Quarter day went. We regularly hold events to societies in the BID area as part of its BID, said: “St Peters Quarter has a large raise fraud awareness in our branches objective to provide a safe and inviting concentration of banks and building but this time we engaged with the St environment for visitors, workers and societies who, between them, serve Peters BID as we wanted help raise residents. many thousands of customers. awareness to even more members of the public. Teams from businesses including “The fraud awareness day was therefore Nationwide Building Society, Lloyds, an opportunity to bring many of these “There was a real buzz around all the Barclays, Santander and Loughborough businesses together to share information banks and building societies in the BID Building Society set up stands across with the public about potential threats area and it was a great success. We had their St Peters Quarter branches and and dangers as well as simple measures Cyber Protection and Fraud Officers at offered advice to customers on fraud that can be taken to protect themselves Nationwide from Derbyshire Police and prevention and cybercrime. The St from fraud and cybercrime.” feedback from our members was superb Peters Quarter Ranger team also and they are now more equipped to distributed bag dipping bells and cables Chris Memmott, senior branch manager avoid scams and stay safe online. We to the public. of Nationwide Building Society, Derby, are looking forward to the next event.”
Swansea’s Wind Street one-way traffic plan to boost cafe culture The street at the centre of Swansea’s nightlife will be converted for one-way traffic in a bid to boost its appeal.
The proposal for Wind Street, backed by council leaders, will also pave the way on Wednesday nights during student in line with its original concept as a cafe for more outdoor seating areas, new term-time. quarter. street lighting and wider pavements. A survey of businesses and residents Mr Greenslade, chief executive of Various changes to the area, including in the immediate area showed strong Swansea BID (Business Improvement full pedestrianisation, have been support for improvements, including District), added: “Improved pedestrian proposed over the years. a switch to one-way traffic, with a areas encourage a broader mix of people preference for daytime restrictions to visit city centres. Russell Greenslade, of business group only, according to the Local Democracy “This would be a logical and a healthy Swansea BID, said the revamp would be Reporting Service. a “logical and healthy step”. step for Wind Street and would complement the rest of Swansea city Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, the centre on its regeneration journey.” Wind Street, which has a string of bars, cabinet member for regeneration, said restaurants and takeaways, is normally while the area was one of the best spots Council officers will now apply for open for two-way traffic. for nightlife in Wales, “it’s important funding for a £1.47m revamp of the that we re-imagine and upgrade Wind area, with a view to adding public art However, vehicles are kept away on Street”. and feature lighting if extra grants can be weekend nights, during high-profile secured. sporting events like the Six Nations, and Doing so, he said, would bring it more REVIVE & THRIVE’S Levy26 Payer:
“What have you done for us lately?”
Your answer… :
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: REVIVE & THRIVE’S 28 PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES Ideas from Across the Pond... 29
Winning Kalispell Bike- Rack Designs Unveiled
The Kalispell Downtown Association on Monday announced the winners of its bike-rack design competition. The creative, locally inspired bike racks will be the first project for the Kalispell Art on the Streets program.
An evaluation committee chose three artists’ designs from a selection of 10 finalists. The contest received 70 entries overall. The evaluation committee included members of the Kalispell Downtown Association, Kalispell The three winning designs embody Kalispell Art on the Streets, “the Business Improvement District, city of the city’s natural beauty and bring project embodies KDA’s commitment Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community added color to the downtown area, the to improving bike and pedestrian College Occupational Trades program, association said in a press release. friendliness as well as adding color and the bicycling community and the vitality to the downtown landscape,” the Kalispell art community. The Kalispell Downtown Association press release said. and the Kalispell Business Improvement The winning designs are “Greater Red District are providing funding for the To learn more about the KOAS Indian Paintbrush” by Tessa Heck- project. They also welcome additional project and the KDA, visit: www. George, “Kalispell” by Lovie Englishbee sponsorships from the community. downtownkalispell.com and “Forrest Buddies” by Tanya Lambrecht. As the inaugural project for the
With grace and some spillage, waiters race through midtown on 10th annual Bastille Day
No running and no spilling.
Two simple rules in theory, but not in practice for the 50 waiters who Spectators packed the outdoor seating in the race every year since the Handle participated in Sunday’s annual Bastille of restaurants bordering the race track, District began organizing it, said that Day waiters’ race in midtown. cheering the waiters on. success requires “a lot of skill, a lot of luck and a lot of stamina.” With Capitol Avenue and L, 18th and Organized by the Handle District, a 19th streets blocked off, waiters took off midtown business improvement district, Seann Rooney, a spokesman for the from the front of Broderick Roadhouse the annual celebration commemorates Handle District, said that when it first on 18 and L, and then circled twice the French “Bastille Day” that is began holding Bastille Day, around 50 around the blocks. As they tried to commonly seen as equivalent to the people came to watch the race. Now, out-power walk their competitors, they United States’ Fourth of July. It falls on he said, there are more than 2,000 attempted to not spill any of the Perrier the anniversary of the 1789 storming spectators. water that filled the glasses perched on of the Bastille during the French their trays - all while dressed in pristine Revolution. The winners, Elijahn Ainsley from white shirts adorned with black bow Paesano’s restaurant and Lisa Blue from ties. Aziz Bellarbi-Salah, who won the waiters’ Brasserie Capitale, each won $500. race two years ago and has participated REVIVE & THRIVE’S 30
91% of shoppers will return if customer service is good, Cambridge BID survey finds
It revealed that 91 per cent of shoppers lower overheads. Every high street how to bolster their customer service. are likely to return to a local business if across the UK is trying to work out how they receive good service, with 42 per best to adapt.” Afterwards, businesses are given cent describing it as essential in their bespoke feedback and a personalised decision-making. The survey suggested customer service report, together with the opportunity to may be a way for businesses to combat sign up for a specialist training course. The BID questioned 542 people about the threat of online shopping. Harriet Kelsall, founder and chair of their shopping habits against the Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery Design, backdrop of ongoing threats to the high “Web-based stores are impersonal. They one of five overall winners in 2018, said: street from online shopping. can’t provide the personal service and “Being mystery-shopped by Cambridge attention to deal that is available on the BID was great for us. The team relished Some 74 per cent of respondents said high street,” said Ian. the feedback and were very motivated they shopped in Cambridge at least once by the positive comments about their “Our survey shows that excellent service, a month, with 92 per cent also shopping customer service. Our high score gave us from staff who know their products and a great marketing opportunity and it also online - mainly for gifts (78 per cent) and show genuine interest in helping their clothing (73 per cent), but also groceries gives potential customers the confidence customers, will encourage the holy grail to buy from us.” (36 per cent). of repeat business.” Cambridge businesses achieved an Just under half of respondents use click Forty per cent of businesses reported average score of 85 per cent last year, and collect to pick up web purchases that revenue was down on last year, but higher than the national average of 81 from businesses in Cambridge. 38 per cent said turnover was level with per cent, making it one of the top UK 2018 figures or up. Some 61 per cent of locations assessed by Storecheckers. And 65 per cent of respondents said businesses expected trading to improve they visit the city at least once a month or stay the same this year. Ian said: “Our mystery shop participants to dine in local restaurants and eateries. see it as a priority to put smiles on their Parking was a key concern: 96 per customers’ faces, training staff to deliver cent of respondents wished to see a Ian Sandison, CEO of Cambridge BID, excellent service and a great experience. reduction in parking costs and 74 per We’re working together to ensure that, said: “Although Cambridge regularly cent of these view it as a priority issue. tops the ‘vibrant cities’ charts, online across the city, customers feel well shopping remains an ongoing challenge: looked after and valued – because we all Cambridge BID developed a mystery want the high street to thrive long into it’s available 24/7, it’s convenient and shopping and training programme to the future.” prices are highly competitive due to help more than 150 local businesses PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 31
animating the city with experiences to the Arena Quarter an experience that Leeds Jurassic Trail which would otherwise not normally they can’t get online and it is attractions The UK’s first ever city centre happen – and you don’t get much bigger like this that really drive footfall to the animatronic dinosaur trail will roar into than dinosaurs. This is one of our most centre and whole city, which can only be life this summer when Leeds takes a trip roar-some projects to date, working in a good thing.” millions of years into the past. collaboration with independently owned shopping centres, Leeds City Council and Jo Coburn, general manager of Victoria Giant dinosaurs will be taking up ourselves to do something no other city Leeds, said: “Here at Victoria Leeds we residence across the city centre as to our knowledge has done before.” are always striving to bring experiences part of the Leeds Jurassic Trail - a free to people in real life and we’re thrilled to event running during the summer Dan Wharton, marketing manager at welcome Leeds Jurassic Trail to Victoria holidays from Friday, July 26, to Sunday, Trinity Leeds, said: “We gave people a Leeds for the first time. This is a fantastic September 1. taste of what can be done last year and opportunity for children and adults now we are going bigger and better alike to immerse themselves in such an LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement – more teeth, more dinosaurs and exciting event in Leeds city centre like no District) has teamed up with three more reasons to visit us and the whole other before.” shopping centres and Leeds Kirkgate of Leeds city centre. In an age where Market to create the ground-breaking people want to see things first-hand and The project is being overseen by Leeds- new partnership and experience which capture it on their cameras, this trail based experiential marketing company, aims to attract people to Leeds this provides them with the perfect reason Banana Kick. summer. to do just that.” Free printed trails featuring a passport The six purpose built, specially Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City where visitors can get stamps from each commissioned dinosaurs include: Council’s executive member for learning, location will be handed out to people employment and skills, said: “The sight to encourage them to explore all five of these gigantic dinosaurs across Leeds dinosaurs and everywhere in between. * 11m long apatosaurus at Victoria will be an unforgettable spectacle for Leeds shopping centre children and families over the summer The walkabout T-Rex will also be out on * 18m long T-Rex at Trinity Leeds and we’re delighted to be welcoming the streets of Leeds at various points shopping centre our very own prehistoric special guest throughout the summer. * 7m long triceratops at Merrion Centre. to Leeds Kirkgate Market. The market’s purpose-built event space will be the The Leeds Jurassic Trail launches on the * 8m long carnotaurus in Leeds Kirkgate perfect home for this super-sized new same weekend that classic blockbuster Market. attraction and we’re proud that the Jurassic Park will be screened on * 2m tall caged raptor installation in market will be helping to encourage Millennium Square with a live orchestra Trinity Leeds’ street food venue, Trinity visitors to have some fun, explore the from Opera North on Sunday, July 28 at Kitchen. city centre and experience our world 4pm. * 4m long walking T-Rex visiting other class retail scene.” city centre locations. The wider event also forms part of Child James Broughton, head of marketing for Friendly Leeds, which aims to make Plans are also in the pipeline for an Town Centre Securities (TCS), owners of Leeds the best city for children and accompanying dinosaur hub, running the Merrion Centre, said: “The Merrion young people to grow up in. Jurassic-themed events and activities. Centre has a long history with Leeds, although maybe not as far back as 65 For more details, visit: www. Andrew Cooper, chief executive of million years, so it’s amazing to be part leedsjurassictrail.co.uk LeedsBID, said: “LeedsBID is about of this game-changing dinosaur event bringing businesses together and across the city. We love to give visitors REVIVE & THRIVE’S 32 Police grant York Street Rangers more power York’s Street Rangers have been given These powers have actually existed for a Control traffic, which could be used legal powers which police say will long time and are used to complement in circumstances such as allowing an keep people safe and help cut down on the work of our police officers and ambulance better access. antisocial behaviour. PCSOs. Require someone to give their name North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable They are only granted if the Chief and address for a road traffic offences, granted the powers to eight qualified Constable is satisfied that they will be assault or criminal damage. staff, who are employed by Eboracum used appropriately and proportionally. Carl Nickson, Managing Director of UK Ltd and work as York Business Eboracum UK Ltd: Improvement District (BID) Street York is already a very safe place, and by Rangers. granting Street Rangers selected powers “This accreditation further we can keep the millions of people who professionalises our partnership with the The rangers can now require someone visit the city centre every year even police. who has behaved antisocially to give safer. their name and address. They can also Following in the footsteps of CSAS stop cyclists riding on a footpath and Under the legislation, the eight schemes in other parts of the country, control traffic in certain circumstance. Eboracum UK Ltd security staff who work it provides the York BID Street Rangers as Street Rangers will be able to: with low-level but useful tools to assist York Commander, Superintendent in the reduction of anti-social behaviour. Lindsey Robson: Require someone to give their name and address if they believe they are acting in I am extremely proud of the positive Tackling antisocial behaviour benefits an anti-social manner. progress made with the Street Ranger everyone and improves our communities programme and feel privileged to have greatly, so it makes sense to take all the Stop cyclists riding illegally on the received this accreditation.” steps we can to reduce it. footpath.
Workers at Rock City and McDonald’s trained to save lives using medical kits if someone is stabbed in city
Nearly 200 people have been trained to way. members of our local community on use life-saving medical kits which could how to use life-saving training kits in just help victims of knife crime in the critical Emergency service call handlers will over two months, which could prevent minutes after they have been stabbed. also be able to direct members of the unnecessary injury or loss of life, and public to the nearest medical station have plans to expand this training even further in the months to come.” Life-saving training has been given to if they witness an incident in the city staff in pubs, restaurants and shopping centre and call 999. There were 159 admissions for life- centres in response to growing threatening knife injuries in 2018 - the concerns over the number of stabbings Venues also have stickers in the window youngest being just 13 and the oldest in the county. saying ‘medical kit on this premises.’ being 90.
The scheme was launched at the end of So, far 49 venues in the city have the Jeff Allen, chairman of Nottingham May, after the Business Improvement kits. Business Improvement District (BID), District (BID), bought 100 medical kits said: “It has been extremely encouraging for the city. The medical kits have also been handed to see the incredible uptake amongst to street pastors, Nottingham Trent BID members for the training and the Since the launch, around 175 people University’s Night Owls, neighbourhood deployment of the medical kits. have been trained in how to use them. policing teams and community first responders, who spend most of their Inspector Anwaar Ahmed, of time in the city. Nottinghamshire Police,added: “Police The kits include tourniquets and and partners work extremely hard to dressing to stop bleeding from a stab Training has been delivered by Adam prevent and enforce against violent wound. Brooks, clinical director of the East crime and this initiative is a great Midlands Major Trauma Centre, based at example of partners coming together to If someone is critically injured in the Queen’s Medical Centre, and his team. come up with an innovative response city centre, members of staff can to the issue that could potentially save intervene while paramedics are on the He said: “We have trained around 200 lives. PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 33 REVIVE & THRIVE’S 34
Ferrious has been selected by the Royal Ferrious named Horticultural Society judges as the Jeremy West from Ferrious, who winner of Altrincham’s Best Dressed designed and created the display, said: Best Dressed Window competition. “We were thrilled to be selected by the RHS Judges as their winner this year. We thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Window in The designer furniture shop, based competition coordinated by Altrincham on Stamford New Road, impressed Altrincham by BID and it was great to see so many the judges with its stylish design and businesses around the town decorated RHS judges as creative use of space. with beautiful and creative floral displays. Gran T’s again Gran T’s Coffee House, which was ranked the best by both the judges and “The competition has been a real talking triumphs in public the public year, again won the ‘People’s point in Altrincham and beyond and we Choice’ competition – as voted on the have really noticed an uplift in visitors vote Altrincham Today Facebook page – with around the town centre coming to see an incredible 852 votes out of almost all the amazing displays.” 5,000 cast. PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 35
Twenty-five businesses took part in the with such enthusiastic retailers. Our Altrincham have been incredibly creative competition, which was coordinated winner was selected because of the and their displays are very impressive. by Altrincham Unlimited, Altrincham’s sophisticated use of plant material and Business Improvement District, and was design which echoed the products in the “As well as stunning florals, many have the highlight of a week-long celebration shop and used the space available to its been inspired by the RHS Greening of all things floral which coincided with full potential.” Britain Campaign and have included the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. recycled materials. The town has been Although Ferrious and Gran T’s were the absolutely buzzing, and everyone has Having visited the 25 businesses taking overall winners, businesses including been talking about the competition part, RHS Judges Sarah Cunningham and Vintage Angel, Optieye, Off the which has undoubtedly encouraged Ian Lloyd said: “Many of the businesses Wheaten Track, Gran T’s Coffee House, visitors to the town. who took part displayed a theme which So Marrakech, Sand Hairdressers, Jake incorporated and included the local Shoes and Gift+Home also received high “The number of people engaging in community. Upcycling and clever use of praise from the RHS judges. the social media competition has been materials prevailed. phenomenal which is a testament to Kate Gerbich, Events and the hard work put in by so many of “It was a pleasure to judge a town Communications Manager at Altrincham Altrincham’s businesses.” Unlimited, added: “The businesses in REVIVE & THRIVE’S 36
How the Essex new town of Harlow is rediscovering its founding ideals Like many Londoners, Kimberlee Perry Sir Frederick Gibberd would be pleased began eying properties outside the M25 to know that the features of the town From a peak in 1974, however, its when she was expecting her first child. he masterplanned are still attracting and population began falling. A lack of She and her husband chose Harlow, the inspiring talent like Kimberlee. Born in high-quality jobs and higher education new town in western Essex, because of 1947 out of the idealism of the post-war offerings meant the town began to lose the transport links to London, and its Labour Government, Harlow was one its youngest and most affluent, and with urban-rural feel. of eight new towns designed to provide them went a number of large employers. decent housing for survivors of London’s As it turned out, the London link wasn’t Blitz. Despite the very real austerity of After the Development Corporation was that important. Kimberlee didn’t return the time, the New Town programme was wound up in 1980, the town centre was to her sales job after her maternity underpinned by a belief in the power of sold off to private owners. In common leave ended; and five years on, she’s planning to address wider social issues with other new towns, Harlow struggled fully invested in Harlow. She founded such as public health and social justice. with the fact that, because everything the global fitness franchise company had been built at the same time, it all Bounce – styled “((BOUNCE))” – when Reflecting the pioneering spirit of the needed renovating at the same time. But her son was a few weeks old, and has early days, Harlow quickly chalked because the assets had been sold off, the since established its 8,000 square up a series of firsts: the first high- town council had few income streams to foot headquarters – complete with a rise residential tower block, the first pay for maintenance. 100-trampoline studio – in the town. pedestrian shopping precinct, the first health centre. Mag Barret, a journalist A period of economic and social decline Over 35,000 people now attend Bounce who moved to Harlow in the 1960s, set in, reflected in the very fabric of classes every month in the UK, New covered many of the openings for local the town. Potholes appeared in the Zealand and Kimberlee’s native Australia papers including the Harlow Citizen, extensive cycleway system that was part – and soon the U.S, too. Many of them Harlow News and Harlow Star – all of Gibberd’s original masterplan, and are mums who bring their children now defunct. “Mary Peters, an Olympic were not filled in. Several of Gibberd’s to class. This child-friendly attitude is runner, came for the opening of the landmark buildings, including the part of Bounce’s DNA, and, according first purpose-built sports centre in the original town hall, were demolished and to Kimberlee, something she inherited country,” she says. “And the first post replaced by less imposing structures. from her adopted home. war Odeon opened here, with a big fanfare.” Then, in the tense aftermath of the “Harlow has a lot to offer,” she said. “It’s 2016 referendum, a Polish man called a great option for families, with lots of In the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, the young Arkadiusz Jozwik was killed in a late- mummy groups and free activities for and ambitious were drawn to the town, night altercation. The incident was kids – and it’s very friendly. That’s true with a feeling that things could be labelled initially as a potential hate in business as well: local businesses, we done in Harlow that weren’t possible crime, although a court would later find help each other out, tag each other on elsewhere. So many families were this not to be true. The self-examination social media. I don’t think I would have started here – at one point 20 per cent that followed would prove a turning had anywhere near as much success if of its population was under 5 – that point. Harlow came together, first to I’d started somewhere else.” Harlow earnt the moniker “pram town”. mourn the death of Jozwik, then – in PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 37
a series of celebrations to mark its addressed by Harlow College, which that the reasons Harlow was chosen as 70th birthday – to show to itself and has enlarged its offering to fill the skills the location for a new town in the first the world that it’s a much nicer than needs of local employers with Stansted place make it an attractive place to live even many of its residents had come to Airport College and the Advanced and work. With good road and rail links believe. Manufacturing and Engineering Centre, to Cambridge and London – only 30 as well as accreditation from Apple as a minutes away by train – Harlow is also near Stansted airport. The Discover Harlow project was Distinguished School. launched by the council in 2018 to It is hoped that the Harlow and bring together people and businesses Job numbers are growing again – from Gilston Garden Town, delivered by as ambassadors for the town. It’s an 42,000 in 2009 to 48,000 in 2017, Places for People, will fix some of the attempt to challenge perceptions of according to Office of National Statistics failures of the New Town programme, Harlow. At an economic development data – and are likely to increase further notably creating income streams conference last year, some professionals with the development of three science to pay for future maintenance and parks. On the site where fibre optics expressed surprise after discovering ensuring stewardship remains with was invented – a discovery that earnt some of Harlow’s gems, from the the community. It will also address Sir Charles Kao the Nobel Prize for the historic lack of diversified tenure, beautiful Town Park designed by Physics in 2009 – will be a new 15-acre landscape architect Dame Sylvia Crowe, which made it hard for Harlow to attract campus called Kao Park. Phase One people in higher income brackets. to the town’s many sculptures: works is completed, housing a brand-new by Auguste Rodin, Henry Rodin and data centre and the offices of defence “It’s about supporting the growth Barbara Hepworth are on permanent contractor Raytheon, Arrow Electronics of Harlow,” said Mary Parsons, public display around the town. Discover and Pearson Education. Group Director for Placemaking and Harlow wants newcomers and existing Regeneration at Places for People. residents alike to know and appreciate Nearby, also enjoying the planning and “Harlow has a lot of great things about these assets. business rate advantages of Harlow to happen. I’d like to hear more people Enterprise Zone, is the council-run saying they feel proud to come from Harlow Science Park. When completed, It is also working alongside other Harlow.” it will include a 15,000-square foot ARU organisations to improve the town. Innovation Centre built in collaboration Although the council doesn’t own most with Anglia Ruskin University. of the property in the town centre, it is Revive & Thrive are trying to galvanise business owners into Also in the works is the £400m move of pleased to announce starting a Business Improvement District, Public Health England to the former site where they collectively pay for upgrades of GSK, a major pharmaceutical company that they are to common spaces. And it funded a who left town in 2010. PHE will create a contributing to Harlow’s facelift to Market Square, which it does centre for public health research, health future as they have own. improvement and protection employing 3,250 people, many of whom it says will been comissioned to One of the reasons Harlow began be recruited locally. carry out a feasibility losing its youth was a poor higher New homes are planned – 23,000 of study and, should it be education offering. That is being them – encouraged by the rationale positive, develop a full BID. REVIVE & THRIVE’S 38
Revive & Thrive to assess the standards of Business Crime Reduction Partnerships nationally
Revive & Thrive are one of only two and Founder of Revive & Thrive, said Revive & Thrive’s strength in applying organisations in the UK to deliver “It’s an honour to be awarded this its network’s experience in place assessments for Business Crime essential piece of work for ensuring safe management and ensuring safe Reduction Partnerships (BCRP) to towns communities for businesses to trade in. environments for businesses to operate and cities nationwide. in will help to raise the standards We look forward to delivering this of BCRPs. Additionally, it will also A BCRP is a subscription-based, contract for Secure by Design on behalf reassure the businesses that fund the business-led, non-profit making action of the National Business Crime Centre partnerships that they are getting value group working with police and the local (NBCC). for money.” authority to tackle and reduce crime and disorder affecting businesses. We will be offering this service to If your town centre is seeking to create our membership and to all place a safer environment within its business There are numerous BCRPs across the partnerships as well as to organisations community, from department stores to UK and they are increasingly considered that are not connected with wider place small and medium-sized enterprises, as a must have for any town centre management.” then Revive & Thrive and the NBCC or any area where there are multiple recommends the creation of a BCRP. businesses. They are also an essential Martin Blackwell, who was instrumental consideration for Business Improvement in bringing the new BCRP standards To find out more email bcrp@ Districts (BID), town centre partnerships together said “I’m delighted that Revive reviveandthrive.co.uk or call 0333 and councils. & Thrive has become one of only two 0124285 assessing organisations in the country. Mark Barnes, Managing Director
New Business Crime Reduction Service Pricing Since September 2018 Revive & Thrive authorities to tackle and reduce crime The pricing* for BCRP assessment is – has been one of only two Assessing and disorder affecting businesses. Organisations working with the National The overall aim is to create a safer • Revive & Thrive Full Associate Business Crime Centre to offer Business environment within the UK’s diverse Members – no extra charge to the Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) and flourishing town and city centres £499 annual membership assessments. (as well as other places such as trading • BCR Light Members only £170 + vat and industrial estates) – supporting • BCR Full Members FREE This service will be an inclusive benefit multi-national corporation and small • Place Magazine Subscribers – £325+ to Revive & Thrive Place Members and independent retailers alike. vat will also be offered as a stand-alone • Non-members and non-subscribers service for non-members. Revive & Thrive will also be feeding into – £350+ vat discussions about the importance for A BCRP is a subscription-based, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to For more information email bcrp@ business-led, non-profit making action include BCRPs and their standards into reviveandthrive.co.uk or call 03330 group working with police and local their BID business plans. 124285 PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES Revive & Thrive BCRP 39 Assessment Process
Applicants are encouraged to bring be put in place through the auditing BoM and SG members to sit in on the and checking processes. Feedback assessment. will be given and any areas for improvement will be monitored in Once the assessors have visited the subsequent assessments. scheme, they will go away format a report and submit it to the lead assessor Quarterly online meetings will be held for verification. Once verified by the to discuss the processes and address any Lead Assessor, it is submitted to SBD concerns. for their approval at which point the assessors report and accreditation are We will plan for annual refresher courses issued to the scheme. on DPA/ GDPR matters and offer ad hoc training for other matters here areas Retention of interest develop either from the assessors themselves or if directed by The assessors will use the electronically SBD. Senior responsible officer submitted self-assessment as the basis of the review. Notes will be added to Governance Mark Barnes, their submission and boxes will be ticked MD and Founder of Revive & Thrive off as they progress. Mark Barnes will sit on the accreditation panel or standards board. Co-ordinator Additional evidence such as paper Mark Barnes, copies will be either photographed or Appeals MD and Founder of Revive & Thrive electronically submitted and added to a file specifically created for the All assessed schemes can raise an appeal assessment. Lead Assessor on the assessment within 28 days of the Russell Downing, Bussiness receipt of our findings. Development Director This file will be sent onto SBD as part of our proof of our assessment and for The appeal initially will be dealt with verification of our verdict. This file will by the Lead Assessor. If the appellant Deputy lead assessor be stored until the next time the scheme remains dissatisfied with the response, Matthew Powell, Director of Revive & is assessed (the previous assessment will they have the right to escalate to Thrive provide a very useful reference point the SRO. If that fails to bring about a to assess the schemes progression). resolution, we will refer the appellant to Once the new assessment has been Assessment process SBD for their consideration and we will completed, the previous assessment act upon their findings accordingly. During the presentation recently in data will be securely destroyed or London a very rigorous process was deleted. presented which we are keen to support in full. All electronic equipment used for the assessment will be encrypted and every We see this as a simple process but are reasonable security precaution taken keen to adopt any previously learnt best to protect the schemes, R&T, and SBD practice. and adherence to relevant DPA/GDPR legislation will be observed throughout The process should be that the by R&T and it’s assessors. applicants submit their self-assessment for pre-assessment scrutiny to allow us Assessor training to review and ask questions in advance. Upon receipt of the application, a date Updates to legislation or the programme is set for the assessors visit. During will be shared upon receipt to ensure the assessors visit, the application is that all assessors are up to date. reviewed, and physical evidence verified. A process of continual development will REVIVE & THRIVE’S 40
The 6th Annual UK Regeneration Exhibition and Conference regen St. George’s Hall, Liverpool 2019 Weds 6th — Thurs 7th November
www.regen2019.co.uk 0845 467 3303 [email protected] PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 41
Businesses vote yes to Northwich BID2
Retailers in Northwich have voted by an town through social media. “It’s great to know that business within increased majority in favour of a second Northwich want to see the town five-year term for the town’s Business This has included the delivery of events continuing to develop and flourish Improvement District (BID). such as the Christmas Extravaganza as much as we do and it’s brilliant to alongside partners Northwich Town receive their support. 77% of businesses who took part in the Council, investments into cleanliness “As a team we have seen Northwich ballot said yes, the result meaning that and 100 separate floral displays and grow and prosper over the last Northwich will benefit from over £1 dedicated Marketing and PR support for five years through the hard work, million of private sector funding over the BID businesses. investment and determination from next five years. the BID and its partners including local The BID has also helped upskill over 400 businesses, Cheshire West and Chester BID2 will commence on 1st September staff through training courses which are Council, Northwich Town Council 2019 after the current term ends on delivered throughout the year and seen and Groundwork who manage the Saturday 31st August 2019. the town receive national recognition operations of the BID. from RHS and the Great British High Since 2014, the Northwich BID has Street Awards. “Thank you to each business that delivered a range of projects, services voted and as a BID team we can’t wait and initiatives to help make the town an The yes vote means that the BID can to continue working with the town’s fantastic businesses and the local even better place to work, live and visit. now build on everything that has been community going forward.” achieved since 2014 and start delivering This work has been instrumental on what is set out in the BID2 proposal To keep up-to-date with everything in attracting tens of thousands of document. going on in Northwich this summer, additional visitors, consumers and local make sure you like the Visit Northwich residents back into Northwich since Northwich BID Manager Jane Hough Facebook page. 2014, whilst simultaneously reaching out was understandably delighted when she to more than 100,000 consumers with received the news and can’t wait to start positive news and information about the working on BID2. REVIVE & THRIVE’S 42
Northwich BID helps make the town greener and cleaner
The Northwich Business Improvement in helping to improve the town’s image. Northwich Memorial Court a facelift. We District (BID) has worked on another also helped oversee numerous planting project to help make the town greener “With many visitors to Northwich using initiatives during last year’s North West and cleaner. the route between Barons Quay and in Bloom awards. Sainsbury’s we felt it was necessary to Alongside Groundwork Cheshire, make the area look neat and tidy while “Unfortunately this progress and momentum could all be undone this Lancashire and Merseyside (CLM) and also being respectful to the wildlife that summer if we don’t get the backing from workers from Grozone Community lives there,” said Jane. businesses for a BID 2.” Garden, volunteers banded together on Friday 14th June to tidy up an area of “As a Business Improvement District one Jane then went on to thank all of the greenspace between Barons Quay and of our main objectives is to enhance the volunteers who helped with the tidying Sainsbury’s car park. greenspace in Northwich and make it an in Northwich. even more appealing place for visitors to The land had become overgrown with come to. “It was brilliant to have Groundwork shrubbery and some of the fencing CLM volunteers from all over the North “The volunteering work near to had been damaged, which led to the West here in the town to carry out some Barons Quay is just the latest in a much-needed work. Grozone lent a Northwich BID and Groundwork CLM long line of projects that we have got identifying it as an area in need of hand too which emphasises the great involved with under the theme of community spirit that has been built up urgent care and attention. Greener and Cleaner. This includes in the town in the last few years.” the redevelopment of Pocket Park, Northwich BID Manager Jane Hough has investments into hanging and railing spoken about the clean-up operation baskets throughout the town centre and explained more about the BID’s role and giving the subway turret next to the ShopAppy, the digital solution that will get your towns online and high street bustling.
As featured on BBC The One Show, ITV and BBC news, ShopAppy is a website and app that provides a shop window so customers can book, order or buy items from all the shops and services in your area. With a convenient click and collect point from one single location after normal opening hours, it means customers can support local business owners and keep your community thriving. If you think a place-centred digital solution can help your mission, get in touch. [email protected] ShopAppy.com shopappy S��� ���a�, ���i��. shopappyuk #shoplocalonline REVIVE & THRIVE’S 44
Try out our supercharged Place Management Recruitment Service
Revive & Thrive Place Management include – All for only – Recruitment Service is aimed specifically • A unique specialism in Town and Revive & Thrive Members – 1 Free at regeneration, economic development, City Centres and a service run Non Members – £349 + vat place management and Business by experienced Town Centre Improvement District professionals. Managers and BID Practitioners Revive & Thrive are also inviting Revive & Thrive’s Place Management • Minimum one full page advert in professionals looking for a new position Recruitment Service network reaches monthly Place Magazine or new contract to submit CVs for Revive around 30,000 contacts with an interest • Marketing reach of over 30,000 & Thrive to hold on record for new in Retail and/or Place Management. people with an interest in place opportunities. This service will ensure We also receive enquiries from management and Business that you are at the front of the queue regeneration professionals looking for Improvement Districts and are signposted to relevant inbound work or contract opportunities as well • Minimum two emails to calls looking for suitable candidates. as Business Improvement Districts and around 5,000 relevant contacts per Additionally, Revive & Thrive will Councils looking for new recruits. month all of which will include your promote 500 words and a downloadable Our daily interactions with our members appeal for candidates. CV about the professional through the and other contacts mean that we can • One recruitment specific mailout website. Place Magazine, 30,000 contact offer a powerful, focused and specialised per month reach and regular mail outs. recruitment service that will help you • Advert on www.reviveandthrive. find the right professional for your BID, co.uk for as long as required to Revive & Thrive Members – £35.00 Partnership, Council or Town Team. secure the right candidate inc vat See www.reviveandthrive.co.uk/current- • Vetting and shortlisting service Non Members – £65.00 inc vat employment-opportunities/ available (enquire for costs not included in any offer) To find out more or to submit an advert Benefits to Revive & Thrive Place email recruitment@reviveandthrive. Management Recruitment Service co.uk or call 03330 124285 PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES Don’t work in isolation. 45 Join Revive & Thrive. Membership 2019
Be a part of a national network of place practitioners, BIDs, Councils, businesses and passionate people that facilitates discussion, learning, networking and up to date policy so that you can do your job supported and no longer in isolation.
As a place management professional, business or passionate resident, becoming a member of Revive & Thrive will provide you with regular networking opportunities, monthly updates on policy and how this will affect your work. We will promote your work, events and projects via our monthly Place magazine, website and social media. We’ll give you FREE entry to regional events!
Benefits include: • National and regional networking events covering issues and policy affecting your place • A single voice to lobby for positive change nationally • Unlimited access to Revive & Thrive’s Non-Executive Board, Steering Group, Regional Advisors and Expert Panel • Exclusive member only updates • Promote your place and BID by writing free articles for monthly Place magazine • Updates on the latest technologies and solutions for places • Discounts and special offers from our Place Solution Members • Place Magazine: 50% discounts on advertising in Place Magazine • Recruitment Service: Target your advert specifically at experienced place management and Business Improvement District professionals • You will benefit from unlimited access to Revive & Thrive Advisory Service
Light Place Membership - £240 + vat or £20 per month Full Place Membership – £420 + vat or £35 per month JOIN Full Associate Membership – £499 + vat or £42 per month Sponsorship – £275 pcm or £3,000 pa + vat Light BCR Membership - £150 + vat pa TODAY Full BCR Membership - £295 + vat pa www.reviveandthrive.co.uk
Join today, save money and become part of a national network of passionate people who are passionate about the places where we live, work and play. REVIVE & THRIVE’S 46
Business Improvement District Services – 5 stages
Revive & Thrive looks after all five stages Why Choose Revive & cost-free study done in your area find of a Business Improvement District’s life out more about the UK BIDs Feasibility and focuses on business engagement to Thrive for your Business Programme now. ensure that the right BID is developed for your area. Improvement District Feasibility Study? BID Development – Feasibility – Is a BID right for your area? Planning, Implementation We help you make the right decision and Revive & Thrive‘s Business Improvement if necessary suggest alternatives. District Feasibility Study is back with and Delivery a new team and bold guarantees Planning – working with your local ensuring that we are achieving the working group we will make sure that right results. The new team brings even Revive & Thrive can help with all your BID is ready to go live and is future more experience and a wealth of new elements of BID Development including fit clients to give you the satisfaction that helping with BID Loan Fund applications. considering a Business Improvement Implementation – Once the ballot District Feasibility Study for your place is On these pages we highlight the closes, the real work begins! There in the right hands. functions that we include within the will be much to do before the BID can planning, implementation and delivery actually begin Long-standing place practitioners will stages. probably already be aware of Revive Delivery – For BIDs that have begun & Thrive Director Matthew Powell and BID Development operations, Revive & Thrive is here for Town Centre Management but might not you, whatever your needs, from interim yet heard of our new BID Development • Database Development management to general support and Manager, Tammy Sleet. Tammy’s • BID Sub-Group Meetings advice. experience, gives us the confidence that • Identify and Support BID we can offer an unprecedented level of Champions Renewal – The all important engagement and impact with businesses • Survey endorsement of your hard work. Revive within our Business Improvement • Public Sector Consultations & Thrive has comprehensive programme District Feasibility Study. • Business Consultations and for BID Renewal Communication If you’d like a risk-free and maybe • Identify BID themes PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES • BID Proposal they see the day to day operations of the • Improving your routes to 47 • BID modelling BID being run. engagement with your levy-paying • Identify Primary Local Authority businesses Contact Prioritising the first year’s tasks, looking • Providing you with a range of HR • Agree Local Authority Processes at the quick wins and understanding • Ensuring you are delivering • Attend Council Meetings the longer-term strategic needs of the maximum return on investment for • Draw up baseline agreements BID and local business community are your levy-paying businesses • Agree balloting procedures all vital, even before the BID formally • Facilitating the delivery of your • Agree billing arrangements – commences. projects • Operating Agreements • Putting your BID in the best • Agree Milestones From a technical and financial possible position to be successful • BID development timeline perspective, you will need to open a with its renewal ballot • Agree balloting procedures bank account, agree with your local • Pre-ballot events billing authority as to how and when you BID Renewal • Branding will receive your first payments, register • Marketing strategy the BID for VAT and ensure Revive & Thrive has a comprehensive • Canvassing action plan that insurance and data protection programme for BID Renewal which • Canvassing procedures are in place. includes the following – Revive & Thrive is here to help you throughout that process. • Evaluation of existing BID BID Implementation performance • Business survey Once the ballot closes, the real work BID Delivery • Business networking events begins! Assuming that the outcome of • Refresh of the BID database the BID ballot is positive, there will be • Meetings with public sector and much to do before the BID can actually For BIDs that have begun operations, other key stakeholders begin, starting with the communication Revive & Thrive has a number of support • Review local authority processes of the ballot result. options, whatever your needs, from and baselines interim management to general support • Review BID modelling Almost immediately, you will need to and advice. • Sector-based workshops establish the BID company itself and • In line with all of the above, and in recruit a Board of Directors. They will Using our networks, partners and conjunction with the BID Board and need to understand the commitment expertise, we can support your BID by: wider business community draw and differences between being a • Working with you and your Board up a business plan for BID renewal volunteer on a BID Development • Helping you with annual and interim ballot Steering Group and being a Company reports and evaluations Director. • Strengthening your team with our Revive & Thrive understands that all BIDs recruitment service have distinct needs, budgets and levels Our Recruitment service will be key • Advising on how to maximise of experience. As such, we will tailor the during your BID Development. Probably income above elements into a bespoke package the first task for the Board will be to • Writing marketing and other to meet clients’ requirements. recruit a BID Manager as this person will strategies and helping you to not only be tasked with delivering the implement them Please contact bids@reviveandthrive. projects within your business plan but • Developing your online and social co.uk or call 03330 124 285 to discuss will also need to get to grips with how media channels any of our BID services. REVIVE & THRIVE’S 48 Don’t already subscribe to Place Magazine?
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reviveandthrive.co.uk/place-magazine PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 49 SPECIAL OFFER FOR PAST MEMBERS 1/2
YEAR When past FREE members renew their membership before Aug 31st their benefits will restart immediately and last until 2021.
Simply email us at [email protected] and we’ll get it set up for you. REVIVE & THRIVE’S 50 ü FREE FREE FREE FREE First Invited FREE Access 20% Discount FREE Forever Speak for Free Speak for Sponsorship + Monthly Column ü + Monthly Revive & Thrive Revive Full Page on Website on Page Full First Choice on Space First Choice £275 +VAT pcm or £3,000 pa pcm or +VAT £275 Monthly Social Media Ad Media Social Monthly Free Full Page Ads Forever Ads Page Full Free Prime promotion, discounts & services discounts Prime promotion, Speak + Discount for Clients for Speak + Discount People Progressing Places Progressing People - - - ü FREE FREE onwards ü + Priority First Invited FREE Access 10% Discount 1 FREE Advert Membership Full Associate Associate Full Business services and discounts Business services £499 +VAT or £42 per month £42 per or £499 +VAT FREE Entry + 2nd Half Price + 2nd Half FREE Entry Listed on Website Directory Website on Listed 6 Social Media Ads Annually Ads Media 6 Social FREE Entry to Exhibit & Speak to FREE Entry Full Page Ads FREE, discount Ads Page 6 Full - - - ü FREE Full Full onwards ü + Priority FREE Entry Discounted Discounted First Invited On Website FREE Access 1 FREE Advert 2nd Ticket FREE Ticket 2nd Most Popular Most £420 +VAT or £35 per month £35 per or £420 +VAT Place Membership Place Enjoy the full benefits of our services our of benefits the full Enjoy Listed on Website Directory Website on Listed Full Page Ads FREE, discount FREE, Ads Page Full 2 ------ü Light onwards ü + Priority First Invited On Website 2nd Ticket Half Price Half Ticket 2nd First to Hear About Jobs About Hear First to £240 +VAT or £20 per month £20 per or £240 +VAT Place Membership Place Occasional light access to our services our to access light Occasional Full Page Ad FREE, discount Ad Page 1 Full 3rd Ticket to Each Event FREE Event Each to Ticket 3rd Membership Benefits Membership ------ü ü Free First Invited On Website Place Magazine Place Keep up to date with our activites with our date up to Keep Place Magazine Place Comms with 30k+ Network Comms Conferences Recruitment Events Services Consultancy Assessment BCRP Advice BID Professional Place Solutions Providers Place Resource Library (Business Library Resource etc) Plans, Templates Exhibition Space Featured Page on Website on Page Featured Emailed Monthly Emailed Your Stories Featured on our on our Featured Stories Your 30k+ Network Space Advertising Edited & Branded One-off Edition Special & Challenges Competitions PLACE FOR TOWNS AND CITIES 51 People Progressing Places Progressing People Members £500 + VAT £500 + Members Place Magazine Magazine Place Branded Edition Branded Guest edit and brand a special issue a special Guest edit and brand £349 + VAT £75 + VAT pa VAT + £75 Services Bespoke Bespoke our memberships our Advertising Recruitment Recruitment Consultancy Members £100 + VAT £100 + Members Refer a Friend Refer From our professional team professional our From Templates, BCR Policy docs etc. BCR Policy Templates, Place Magazine Magazine Place Going out to our 30k+ network our Going out to Resource Library Resource From £300 + VAT per day per VAT £300 + From Get access to BID Business Plans, BID Business Plans, to access Get Non-Members £200 + VAT £200 + Non-Members Professionally designed full page ad designed full Professionally FREE advert in Place Magazine in Place FREE advert Premium for referring a friend to one of one of a friend to referring for Premium For the full Place Magazine Advertising rates please see here: bit.ly/placerates please see here: rates Advertising Magazine Place the full For Additional Services Additional - - ü ü Full Full FREE FREE onwards ü + Priority First Invited On Website On Website £295 + VAT pa VAT £295 + Discounted Rates Discounted 2nd Ticket Half Price Half Ticket 2nd BCR Membership Host Locally + FREE Entry Locally Host Enjoy the full benefits of our services our of benefits the full Enjoy Full Page Ads FREE, discount FREE, Ads Page Full 4 - - - - - ü ü Light Tickets ü + Priority First Invited On Website On Website £150 + VAT pa VAT £150 + Light access to our services our to access Light Less than Half Price than Half Less Price Half Ticket 2nd BCR Membership Host Event Locally + 3 for 2 + 3 for Locally Event Host To learn more about our Services and Memberships please contact us at [email protected] or call on 03330 124285 call or [email protected] us at please contact and Memberships Services about our learn more To Place Magazine Place Business Crime Reduction Membership Benefits Membership Business Crime Reduction Emailed Monthly Emailed Your Stories Featured on our on our Featured Stories Your 30k+ Network Advertising Space Advertising in Closed BCR Membership Group LinkedIn BCR Assessment Communications to our 30k+ our to Communications Network Competitions and Competitions Challenges Services Consultancy 30k+ our to Communications Network Conferences Events Professional BID Advice BID Professional Exhibition Space Featured Page on Website on Page Featured We want to hear stories about your place!
Submission deadline for articles for Issue #35 of Place Magazine:
23rd August 2019
Contact us at [email protected]
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People Progressing Places Membership Benefits Bespoke Consultancy www.reviveandthrive.co.uk Conferences and Events [email protected] 03330 124285 Business Crime Reduction Revive_Thrive Crime_Reduction Reviveandthriveukplaces Reviveandthriveltd
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