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Festive shoppers have been given an early Christmas gift by Worcester City Council – free parking on Thursday evenings and a great deal on Sundays too!
Shoppers taking advantage of late night opening in city shops on Thursday evenings will be able to park free of charge after 6pm from Thursday 19 November up to and including 24 December.
And starting on Sunday 6 December shoppers will be able to pay for two hours on Sundays and get the rest of the day free. This offer will run up to and including Sunday 20 December.
Both offers apply to all council car parks with the exception of The Cornmarket, from Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 November, as it will be closed on this day for the annual Victorian Christmas Fayre.
Cabinet member for Economic Prosperity Cllr Marc Bayliss said: “Worcester has a really vibrant Christmas retail offer so it’s great news for shoppers, visitors and businesses that we’re offering free parking for late night opening on Thursdays and greatly reduced fees for parking on Sundays. “These great offers will draw in people from far and wide to pop into Worcester this Christmas.”
The City Council owns the following car parks:
Copenhagen St
Cornmarket (offer excludes 26 November when access will be closed off)
Providence St
Cattle Market
King St
Newport St
St. Martins Gate
Clare St
Commandery Rd
Pitchcroft
The Moors (Sunday offer only as car park is not available to the public on Thursdays)
Tybridge St
Tallow Hill
Croft Road (offer does not apply for lorries and coaches)
ENDS
Press release by Worcester City Council
For further information please contact:
Rob Byrne
Communications & PR Manager
Worcester City Council
Tel: 01905 722409
One of Worcester’s most beautiful commercial centres is riding the crest of a wave and is set for a seasonal extravaganza to show it all off to new and existing customers.
Reindeer Court, which has 26 units, is 25 years old this year and has welcomed 7 new businesses in the past 12 months, and they are among those pulling together to showcase their offer in a seasonal spectacular:
Lynda Case who has run Rock Follies Vintage for 3 years was quick to praise the new additions. ‘You have a sense that the new businesses are here to stay as they are really well run, look great and have staff who are just so passionate and knowledgeable about their products. Reindeer Court is so vibrant and if people haven’t been for a while we urge them to explore this area – it is brilliant news for the city, locals and tourists.’
‘We are delighted to have had such a positive start to trading in this area’ added Anna Brook, Owner of Iapetus which also has a shop in Malvern. ‘A lot of the traders have realised that by collaborating on a number of projects, we will all benefit. The enthusiasm shown at our new regular tenants meetings is helping to raise awareness of just how good Reindeer Court as a destination is.’ Her comments come as the traders have collectively signed up to a range of entertainment as part of their new ‘Winter Festival’.
On Thursday 3rd December between 5 and 8pm, there will be traditional carol singing from 5pm, and you can take part in a Count the Reindeer competition to win a hamper of goodies worth over £200. Saturday 5th December between 11 and 4pm sees real reindeer in the centre with the opportunity to have photos taken with them!
On Saturday 12th December anyone is invited to visit the special Christmas photo booth in Alexander’s Bar at the Reindeer Court entrance. Props, costumes and silliness await, and can be shared online afterwards! At approximately 3pm a family of roving penguins will also be present! Finally, a magician will be performing at 2.30pm on Saturday 19th December.
Until 5th December, 8 Reindeer Court businesses are providing exclusive offers as part of their commitment to supporting the Worcester BID’s campaign to promote independent businesses entitled Uniquely Yours. They are out of 56 being promoted to help highlight the range of smaller businesses throughout the city centre. The offers are available at outlets throughout the city centre (just look out for the posters) and can be viewed at www.uniquelyworcester.com
Nadja von Dahlen, Marketing and Events Manager at the campaign organiser’s Worcester BID added ‘this is an area of the city centre which is particularly on the up because there have been some wonderful businesses whose owners are really keen to get involved as a community and they have presented their shops quite beautifully. If you want to do your bit and support independent businesses, a visit to Reindeer Court is now definitely a must.
More information on Reindeer Court, which is accessed from The Shambles, Mealcheapen Street and New Street is available at www.reindeercourt.com or via www.facebook.com/reindeercourt or www.twitter.com/reindeer_court
Three-year-old Georgie Gibbs will join the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Roger Knight, to switch on Worcester’s Christmas lights during a free festive family event in the city next week. The Worcester tot, who has spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, is hoping to raise £60,000 so she can receive pioneering medical treatment in America. The Mayor invited Georgie and mum Clare, from St John’s, to help launch Christmas in Worcester on Saturday, November 14, after hearing about her campaign on Twitter.
Georgie will take centre stage with the Mayor to switch on the lights just before 6pm, rounding off an afternoon of free musical entertainment with bands on the Free Radio stage from 4pm. The Mayor said: “I’m delighted to have little Georgie by my side to switch on the Christmas lights. She undoubtedly deserves public support and I’m sure she will do a great job in helping launch Christmas in Worcester. It will give local people a chance to really get behind her campaign.” Georgia’s mum Clare said: “I’m thrilled that our little girl has been given this amazing opportunity to be involved in a fun and festive event in her home city.”
A city-wide partnership has come together to launch the city’s festive celebrations, with Worcester City Markets hosting a special two-day lights switch-on Christmas market in High Street. The festive market will take place on both Saturday and Sunday (November 14-15), creating a real buzz of activity and kick-starting the city centre’s Christmas shopping season. The event promises to be a fantastic festive curtain-raiser to the city’s Christmas celebrations, with Father Christmas arriving in the city centre and CrownGate shopping centre on Sunday, November 15. Join him from 12.45pm on Sunday for his parade along High Street to Friary Walk in CrownGate.
Over the festive period, Father Christmas and his Elf will be reading the wonderful story of The Nutcracker every Thursday to Sunday from November 15 until Christmas Eve. In between story times, children can visit Father Christmas to tell him their Christmas wishes. Children can also enjoy the free Nutcracker Trail along CrownGate’s Friary Walk and Chapel Walk, trying to spot giant nutcrackers.
Worcester’s famous Victorian Christmas Fayre will take place from Thursday, November 26 to Sunday, November 29. Around 200 stalls will fill the atmospheric streets of Worcester’s historic heart for the 23rd annual event, promising shoppers all the colours, sounds and irresistible aromas of Christmas. Worcester Cathedral will hold its own Christmas Fayre in the Cloisters on Friday November 27 and Saturday November 28 from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday November 29 from 12.30 to 3.30pm. The Cathedral will also be hosting a Festival of Christmas Trees from Saturday December 4 to Sunday January 3 2016 from 9am to 6.30pm. Admission is free but visitors will be able to make donations.
So pop into Worcester this Christmas and don’t miss out on all the festive action. For details of all events and activities taking place across Worcester city centre visit www.christmasinworcester.com
ENDS
Press release by Worcester City Council
For further information please contact:
Rob Byrne, Communications & PR Manager, Worcester City Council
Tel: 01905 722 409
Email: rob.byrne@worcester.gov.uk
With over 300 independently run businesses in the city centre, Worcester boasts a unique mix of shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and other service providers. Between now and Saturday 5th December the ‘Uniquely Worcester’ campaign is set to embrace and celebrate this diversity and quality.
New this year is the Uniquely Worcester Exclusive Offers Card, featuring 56 retailers, cafes, offices and pubs. People can pick up their free card from participating local businesses in the city centre, which can easily be spotted by their Uniquely Worcester bunting and posters, and other selected outlets in and around the city.
Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), which represents businesses with the aim to boost trade, started the campaign in 2010.
With around 60 per cent of Worcester city centre’s businesses being independently run, combined with the city’s rich heritage, it is these businesses that give the city its character and make sure it’s not just any other High Street. These businesses are often hidden gems, nestled within quirky streets and picturesque black and white buildings that help to make our city so special.
Nadja von Dahlen, Marketing & Events Manager at Worcester BID, said “As part of the Uniquely Worcester campaign we are looking to provide plenty of inspiration for people to shop, eat and play at Worcester’s independents leading up to Christmas and beyond. The new Uniquely Worcester Exclusive Offers card will be a great incentive to discover new, unique businesses and find that special something.”
For keen shoppers Worcester has an outstanding choice of independently owned boutiques and specialist shops selling everything from the latest fashionable designer wear and vintage clothing to gifts, hobby equipment, specialist items for left-handers and decorative home accessories.
There are plenty of independents, who take pride in using locally sourced products for their delightful homemade foods in Worcester – indulge in delicacies from local delis, enjoy a cream tea at one of the city’s award-winning cafés, take a sip of wine or real ale at Worcester’s welcoming bars and pubs or make it a night out and meet with friends for a relaxing dinner at a city centre restaurant.
Ms von Dahlen added “Our local businesses really value the support they get from locals and visitors. It is hugely important that people keep backing these independents, as they keep the city vibrant and maintain its distinct character, which draws more people into Worcester and ensures the whole city is buzzing. Their product knowledge and levels of customer service are incredible.”
Locals and visitors are encouraged to discover areas they may not have seen before and to enjoy exclusive offers available every time they shop, eat and play at selected independent businesses in Worcester city centre when they use the offers card between now and 5th December 2015. The offers can be viewed at www.uniquelyworcester.com and also via @UniquelyWorc on Twitter or www.facebook.com/UniquelyWorcester.
Two Worcester anti-crime partnership schemes for businesses are set to enhance their communications thanks to the launch of a digital radio scheme.
Worcester CityNet which is run predominantly for retailers as part of the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) and its evening equivalent, NightSafe have moved from their current analogue systems with the benefits ensuring that members and the city centre as a whole will stay one step ahead in the fight against shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
Head of Worcester BID, Adrian Field said ‘this is a huge step forward for the business community in Worcester. The schemes have ensured Worcester remains a very safe place to shop or have a night out. With the new digital scheme users can hear and be heard more clearly all over a greater distance, it is more secure, and conversations can be recorded and used as evidence in court. We have negotiated a deal to help ensure that the improved set up is also cheaper for the businesses to hire the radios with some set to save up to £120 per year.’
CityNet currently has 90 members with 56 licensees members of NightSafe and all were invited to attend the launch to receive their radios and have training on how best to use the them and make the most of their memberships which are free for BID businesses. Non BID businesses can also sign up to the scheme which would cost £20 per month for each radio hired.
Chief Inspector Rebecca Love of West Mercia Police who themselves have signed up for 20 digital radios for their officers added ‘we are delighted to be partnering with Worcester BID on this scheme. Thanks to Police and Crime Commissioner funding as part of pledge to tackle business and rural crime, we have 12 more radios available than at present with more officers being able to monitor and react to communications through CityNet and NightSafe. This will help to build on the success that both schemes have enjoyed in making Worcester city centre one of the safest places in the country.’
Businesses are delighted that the upgrade will help them. Tim Evans who owns Toys and Games of Worcester in Broad Street added ‘we joined CityNet 3 years ago and having the radio has greatly reduced our stock loss and it easily pays for itself. It has been like having an extra member of staff!’
Dean Hill, owner of Tramps, Mode and Velvet as well as being Chairman of NightSafe was equally enthusiastic ‘we are delighted that our pubs, clubs and restaurants can benefit from the move to a digital system. Communication is the key in ensuring that all licensed premises know about people causing anti-social behaviour and the new set up will make it easier to ensure those people will not attempt to try other venues and spoil it for the majority.’
CityNet currently boasts a 91% detection rate meaning that over 9 in 10 thefts from member retailers results in an offender being apprehended. This compares with 34% for non-members. ‘Going digital will only further enhance these fantastic figures’ added Worcester BID’s Crime Reduction Manager Jack Hince.
In addition to funding the memberships of NightSafe and CityNet, Worcester BID also fund Taxi Marshals at the Cross on Saturdays between 10.30 and 4.30, a roaming store detective and Street Rangers. Weekly intelligence meetings are also held for members to join and meet with the Police and store detectives. Businesses interested in joining either scheme or generally finding out more about the anti-crime schemes can visit www.worcesterbid.com or call 01905 731612.
A city centre scheme which aims to reduce business overheads has had a major success with a well known independent restaurant.
Chesters Restaurant in Worcester’s New Street have had their annual gas and electricity bills slashed by £5200 as a result of a scheme run by the city’s Business Improvement District (BID). The scheme which is run by approved partners BCR Associates allows businesses who are part of the BID to have their current gas and electricity bills assessed before they use their relationships with the myriad of commercial suppliers to ensure better deals.
The service, which is free to BID members has certainly pleased the owner of Chester’s Duncan Minshall. ‘We are always keen to keep our costs down and so to reduce our gas bill by 21% and electricity by 31% and for it to save us over £5000 per year is fantastic – we are obviously delighted at the saving and would encourage any other Worcester BID business to look into it as it was an easy process with minimal effort on our part.’
Head of Worcester BID Adrian Field added, ‘we have had some great successes with this scheme with BCR and would encourage more businesses to find out how much they can save by just letting them see what their current bills are to then find out if there are better deals out there. Over the last few years for example insurance brokers Hazelton Mountford based in bank Street have saved over £1000 and ladies boutique Halo, based in CrownGate Shopping Centre reduced their phone bill by £230 per annum – in both cases these savings were easily more than the BID levy and so they immediately benefit.
For BID businesses interested in the scheme, please call Worcester BID on 01905 731612 or email info@worcesterbid.com
Worcester Foodie Fortnight, a new campaign aimed at boosting the eating establishments in Worcester city centre is now in full swing.
The campaign is built around the Worcester Foodie Festival, which attracted thousands of visitors to the city centre last weekend.
Celebrity chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli and Felice Tocchini have proven to be the stars of the show with their free cookery demos at the main stage in High Street, sharing techniques for healthier cooking using less salt, sugar and saturated fats in their recipes.
Practical sessions such as the free kids food lab, knife skills classes for adults and food and drink matching masterclasses have been another great draw for visitors from near and far.
There was something for everyone’s taste with a great choice of delicious treats available from more than 70 stalls – from locally made cheeses and honeys, fruit liqueurs and wines to gourmet burgers, spicy curries and sweet delights including churros.
Worcester BID Marketing and Events Manager, Nadja von Dahlen, said “We are delighted to see the successful expansion of the 2nd Worcester Foodie Festival with more stalls, entertainment and activities. The great participation of local businesses that are in the city all year around gave this event a different spin, as it truly showcased Worcester’s fantastic food and drink offer and literally put it on the plate. Our visitors really enjoyed the quality sampling opportunities and our businesses are looking forward to welcoming back new and existing customers during the Foodie Fortnight.”
Footfall on Saturday was up 52% on the previous Saturday and 30% up on the 2014 Foodie Festival Saturday. On Sunday the event led to an even bigger increase in footfall with a 91% increase on the previous Sunday and 9% up on the 2014 Foodie Festival Sunday.
Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) added that “This significant increase in footfall is good for the city’s economy, as it is bringing in additional people not only from Worcester, but also further afield, who enjoy exploring the city and its wider retail and leisure offer.”
Until the end of this week, residents and visitors can take advantage of mouth-watering offers at local cafés, restaurants, pubs and other food and drink related businesses as part of the Worcester Foodie Fortnight campaign – from breakfast and lunch club deals to special £5 and £10 menus. Activities, live music, competitions and a food and drink trail are another great way for people to try places and food that they haven’t experienced before.
For further information visit www.worcesterbid.com/foodie and follow @WorcFoodieFest on twitter or www.facebook.com/WorcesterFoodie. Programmes can also be collected in many of the city centre’s businesses.
Organisers of an event aimed at boosting the eating establishments in Worcester have expressed their delight of their first ever promotional campaign which builds around their popular Foodie Festival this weekend.
Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) have said that the response to their new Foodie Fortnight campaign which started on Monday and runs through until 9th August has been fantastic and sets things up well for a mouth watering weekend.
Worcester BID Marketing and Events Manager, Nadja von Dahlen added ‘there is a real excitement around the Foodie Fortnight which involves many cafes, restaurants and food related businesses creating £5 and £10 menus, loyalty card incentives, competitions and food and drink trails to tempt people in to trying places and food that they haven’t experienced before. The feedback so far has been excellent.’
The second Foodie Festival kicks off on Saturday with multi Michelin award winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli the headline act with free 30 minute cookery demonstrations throughout the day along with over 60 food stalls offering different food and drink, masterclasses, demonstrations and drink matching sessions.
Sunday sees Italian chef and local businessman Felice Tocchini who also works for the acclaimed Novelli Academy take to the main stage.
To ensure that the event is for all the family there is also street entertainment, face painting, cookery workshops and a colouring competition all of which are free.
The event will be taking place throughout the pedestrianised city centre and admission is free.
For further event information including the event programme visit www.worcesterbid.com/foodie and follow @WorcFoodieFest on twitter or www.facebook.com/WorcesterFoodie. Programmes can also be collected in many of the city centre’s businesses.
The Mayor of Worcester was on hand to open a new business this week and came face to face with a sandwich which was taller than him.
Local Subway franchisees Harmesh Kumar and Matthew Neale opened up their latest outlet in the city centre located next to the Vue Cinema on Friar Street. The franchisees who have worked together for 10 years own and operate two other locations within the city at The Cross and Warndon villages.
They were on hand to present Cllr Roger Knight with a tasty 6 foot long sandwich as he officially opened the Friar Street business. Their new unit had been empty for over 2 years and ensured that the Mayor did not leave hungry.
Councillor Knight added ‘we are delighted that such an instantly recognisable brand has located into a unit which has been empty for a while and made such a great start at the southern end of the city centre. It is important to ensure that businesses like this are located next to complimentary ones to ensure that customers have everything that they need as convenience is key.
Mr Kumar added ‘‘We feel that with our new location next to the Vue, we can create a great offer for cinema goers and indeed anyone else in the area with an option to dine which promotes good value, quick service and a great tasting fresh product.’
Visitors will be in for a treat with a multi – Michelin award-winning chef headlining the Worcester Foodie Festival in August.
Following last year’s inaugural Festival the Worcester BID led event will return to the city centre on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August with Jean-Christophe Novelli taking centre stage. The ‘nation’s favourite French chef’ will be running free cookery demonstrations on the main stage in the High Street on the Saturday.
The festival will include 50 stalls offering delicious food and drink from local businesses and selected specialist producers, food and drink matching sessions, cookery demonstrations and master class workshops by a variety of well-established chefs.
Live music, street entertainment, competitions, free face painting and fun activities will make sure that there is something for all the family at this celebration of all things tasty. The event will be taking place throughout the pedestrianised city centre and admission is free.
A brand new event this year is set to get taste buds going when the Worcester Foodie Fortnight will take place in Worcester city centre from 27th July – 9th August 2015.
Building on last year’s successful Festival, local and regional ‘foodies’ can enjoy two weeks of taste next month by exploring Worcester’s fantastic food and drink offer at quality local restaurants, cosy cafés, stylish bars and traditional pubs. Special £5 and £10 taster menus, a food and drink trail, sampling activities, breakfast club offers, competitions and more will be on the plate for the avid foodie.
Nadja von Dahlen, Worcester BID Marketing & Events Manager, said “we have been delighted with the interest already generated by the public and the various types of quality stallholders who have signed up to the event. We want people to discover and experience our fantastic city centre food and drink outlets, whether it’s at the Worcester Foodie Festival or venturing into businesses for a tasty treat during the Foodie Fortnight. Who doesn’t want to leave the cooking and washing up to someone else – and get the chance to see Jean-Christophe Novelli sharing his chef secrets with us?”.
For further event information visit www.worcesterbid.com/foodie and follow @WorcFoodieFest on twitter or www.facebook.com/WorcesterFoodie.
