Issue 3 2020 www.shrewsburybusinesschamber.com Follow us on Twitter: @shrewsbusiness 1 Chairman’s President Peter Bettis calls time on Shrewsbury Foreword Business Chamber Welcome to the Autumn Earlier this month, we were issue of the Business saddened to learn that Peter Bettis Chamber magazine. would be stepping down as President of the Business Chamber The last few months have continued to be more of ahead of next months AGM. the unknown as we are all Peter joined the Business Chamber navigating new ways of doing things due to Covid- in 2000 under the guidance of 19. This has become a Graham Gallier, who he later very fine balancing act as succeeded as President following his the government has death in 2013. worked to bring more people back to work, Peter’s legacy as President was his whilst ensuring that the passion for supporting businesses in rate of infection doesn’t begin to extrapolate again. the area, from lobbying the local MP Currently in parts of the and county council on a range of As a passionate networker with a UK this figure appears to issues - most recently being the strong belief that our events hinge on be creeping above 1 which North West Relief Road which business people developing ideas could lead to lockdown with other business people; 2020 measures in the near potentially will be a huge benefit to future. the town - to helping businesses has been tough for Peter as Covid- 19 curtailed our events program. On a positive note, with their challenges. Peter had a customer confidence passion for the River Severn and the Whilst we have been able to network appears to be high in our benefits that it could bring to the in a different way using Zoom, it still town centre as we are town; rather than being considered lacks the personal touch that above the national average as an inconvenience or a flood risk, it meeting in person has. for footfall compared to could provide business similar multifunctional There has been a number of events opportunities. One of our members towns in the country. over the years that Peter reflected Sabrina Boat has run a successful October will see the fondly on: the visit to the Jaguar business for many years because of conclusion of the furlough factory on the M54 showed great scheme which we hope it and there are others who have potential and opportunities for the has helped our local done so as well. businesses to protect as West Midlands in terms of creating many jobs as possible. jobs; visiting Salop Leisure’s There is uncertainty what Love2Stay in 2017 was another happens after this time impressive business that would especially as there are industries such as become a leading caravan holiday theatres, night clubs and destination in the tourism sector. Not music venues which still forgetting the Flower Show breakfast remain closed due to meetings which were always well social distancing being impossible to achieve. attended. Lastly, on the 21st October we will be hosting our Another thing Peter valued was the AGM on Zoom from 3pm. We will be joined by Steph role that young people played in Henson from SixTicks who business. Apprenticeships are hugely will be talking about her important in giving people a foothold new business venture on the career ladder. With more called Tech Time Out. We houses being built around look forward to seeing you there. Shrewsbury and Telford and Help to Buy schemes making mortgages Val Edwards more accessible to young people, It is going to be strange to not see there are opportunities to create the Peter at our executive meetings in Chairman, Shrewsbury work force of tomorrow. the future, but we wish him well and Business Chamber thank him for 2 decades of service to Partner, Hatchers Solicitors our Business Chamber. 2 Shrewsbury Town Council: Road to Recovery March brought lockdown and a county primary focus has always been to The road closures in the town have put on hold as focus turned to protect the public and clear signage, been generally well received, giving a stemming the rising number of closing roads and strong messaging very calm, safe ambience around the coronavirus outbreaks and reducing the has helped that. town. But that town centre traffic burden on the NHS. Overnight shops, The vibrancy of the town has continued doesn’t stop and gets diverted businesses, leisure facilities and with leisure and hospitality expanding elsewhere placing strains on the playgrounds closed, our regular events their offer onto the streets of network. Task force partners are were cancelled and for the Council a Shrewsbury. The lovely warm weather currently reviewing those arrangements new way of working began. has meant that people have been able to see how we can reduce impact Whilst many of the county’s employees to have a drink with friends, go out for a elsewhere, but keep that lovely were furloughed, Town Council staff meal and generally socialize. atmosphere. continued to work as our parks and Footfall figures show we are now back Throughout this time Shrewsbury open spaces became the focus of the to 80% of what it was this time last businesses have shown great fortitude public’s daily form of exercise. Some year with many businesses seeing their and resilience putting measures in staff worked from home and elected tills fuller than 12 months ago. This place to protect their staff and members started to meet virtually to compared to many of our competitors customers and changing their business ensure the business of the council seeing footfall 40% down. models to adapt to a new normality. continued. But this isn’t a time for complacency. We all thought this pandemic would be Throughout May, the golf course, An increase in the rate of infection has over in a couple of months, then by the bowling greens and tennis courts seen the fear of a second wave time the kids went back to school and started to open up, followed by play realized, with many towns and cities then by Christmas. With those seasonal facilities in early July. throughout the country already having festivities around the corner, desires to The town centre has seen the greatest had local lockdown measures placed return to normality are not realistic, so focus of collaborative effort, with the on them. The key worries are around all the more essential that every single Town Council, Shropshire Council and what happens when the winter weather one of us continues to play our part. the Business Improvement District draws in forcing people inside. Our From businesses following guidelines, joining forces to establish the current thoughts are around how we supporting the Test & Trace scheme Shrewsbury Recovery Task Force. can maintain Shrewsbury’s Open and adhering to Public heath; to we as outside during winter. Many of us have members of the public by washing our Our Bounce Back campaign launched hands, wearing face masks where our recovery with non-food retail slowly visited cities like Prague and Budapest where outside dining continues with appropriate and social distancing when opening its doors in June. With a strong we are out and out. brand and a clear marketing message, heaters and blankets and shelter from we have seen visitors gain confidence 1am. Can we do that in Shrewsbury? Resolve of the task force remains in coming back to the town. Our strong, we will recover from this and the town will be better for it. 3 New marketing strategy for Shrewsbury launched A new strategy has been launched residents - both local and those investment. to drive inward investment, from further afield - about how She said: “We are really excited to support business and help create they view Shrewsbury. be working on this project to jobs in Shrewsbury. “I would urge everyone to give create a strong marketing strategy Businesses, residents and their feedback, because a wide to promote Shrewsbury for the organisations are now being range of views will really help us to benefit of businesses, residents invited to give their views on the create a collective vision to guide and indeed everyone connected town’s strengths, to help form the Shrewsbury’s future.” with the town. basis of how Shrewsbury should Councillor Steve Charmley, “We have a wealth of experience be promoted regionally, nationally Shropshire Council Cabinet working with organisations like the and internationally. member for assets, economic Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Place marketing growth and regeneration, added: Partnership to help towns and experts, ThinkingPlace, who have “We believe a new, shared place cities maximise their potential. worked on major commissions to story will help build civic pride and “We are now carrying out research promote all three of the UK’s cities confidence, help us market and gathering information about of culture, are leading the project Shrewsbury to attract inward Shrewsbury’s assets, attributes, to create the new marketing investment and create jobs, and development areas and strategy, on behalf of the support existing business in opportunities. Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Shrewsbury. “We want everyone in Shrewsbury Partnership. “The impact of Covid-19 on our to tell the place’s story and help us Seb Slater, executive director of town and our economy makes this get the message out what a great Shrewsbury BID, which along with work more important than ever.” place this is to come to. Shropshire Council and Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of “Then, using our insight and Shrewsbury Town Council makes Shrewsbury Town Council, said: experience, along with the valuable up the Big Town Plan Partnership, “Who best to tell the story about input from businesses, said the strategy was a key piece Shrewsbury than the people that organisations and residents, we of work for the town.