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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.
Saturday’s 9th annual Motor Festival has resulted in record numbers of visitors to Worcester city centre, organisers have announced.
Figures released have shown that the impact of the event was such that footfall on the day rose 37% compared with the previous Saturday and was 3% higher than the event last year. Meanwhile, the usage of pay for parking by phone scheme RingGo has its busiest day since it became available in the 14 City Council car parks in November 2010.
Adrian Field, Head of Worcester BID who organised the event added ‘the number of people in the city centre on Saturday was comparable with the Saturday just 12 days before Christmas which is outstanding. We are delighted with the feedback from the businesses, public, street entertainers and the car dealerships and vintage car owners which has all been positive. The number of businesses who got involved was higher than in previous years with more streets having activities on them. The new elements of the event such as the F1 simulator, workshops to allow children to paint using remote controlled cars and Scalextric course were clearly enjoyed by all. We noticed that people stayed in the city centre longer as well which was an aim as this helps to translate into higher sales with the businesses.’
Winner of the Best Dressed Shop Window competition was ladies boutique, Halo Style, based in CrownGate Shopping Centre’s Chapel Walk which featured F1 overalls, car tyres and even a racing car chassis.
Mr Field added ‘The aim of the events is to try and get people into businesses and areas of the city centre that they perhaps haven’t been to before and to use them as a shop window for the businesses here in order to encourage return visits.’
Ian Cook of PopbangColour is a contemporary British artist internationally known for his unique form of painting. Ian creates his art solely using the method of radio-controlled cars, car tyres and toy car wheels as his paintbrushes.
Visitors of the Worcester Motor Festival have the special opportunity to see Ian creating his art work live at the event. His pop up workshop will be located in the unit at the corner of The Shambles and Pump Street (formerly Card Party) during the Motor Festival on Saturday 16th May.
With a first degree in Fine Art Painting from Winchester School of Art, Ian has a quirky edge and describes his work as a ‘friendly explosion of colour’ which captures attention through his unusual method of working and live performance art.
Ian has recently demonstrated his creative skills at prestigious national and international events including the World Endurance Championships at Silverstone, British Touring Car Championships, World Rally Championships in Strasbourg, Autosport International and the Dubai Motor Show.
He is also famous for the creation of the Morgan #3WheelArt, a specially wrapped Morgan 3 Wheeler displaying the unique PopbangColour artwork. It was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show this year to much acclaim and will be on display near his pop up unit at the Motor Festival.
Ian Cook said “The whole idea of creating the #3WheelArt is that it would be used, be seen and be experienced by people. It would attend events, be shared on social media and used throughout 2015. For me the car is an artwork that evolves, rather than being on display as a static vehicle somewhere.”
Nadja von Dahlen, Worcester BID Marketing & Events Manager, said “We are absolutely delighted that Ian will be showcasing his fun style of working to create motoring themed art live at our event here in Worcester city centre. Combined with the display of the Morgan #3WheelArt it is promising to be a hugely popular new feature at the Worcester Motor Festival this year”.
The 9th Worcester Motor Festival will be featuring the latest dealership cars and motorcycles, as well as showcasing a great array of rare historic vehicles throughout the city centre on Saturday 16th May 2015.
In High Street local and regional dealerships will be exhibiting around 50 of the latest two and four wheelers on the market from 9am to 5pm. If you are considering buying a new car, this free event is a must for you to see models from 19 different manufacturers in one location! Compare economical and practical family cars, fun cabriolets, SUVs, luxurious sports cars and classic bikes.
Vintage and classic car fans can enjoy a stroll through the pedestrianised event area in the heart of the city centre. View more than 80 eye-catching classic and vintage cars from the late 1920s to the 1970s throughout Worcester’s lively shopping area. Admire rare vehicles by Daimler, Buick and Ford, travel down memory lane when viewing historic Austin, Jaguar, MG and Triumph cars, look out for vintage Hot Rods, plus many more.
New this year are fun activities where you can test your own racing skills at an F1 cockpit simulator and Scalextric racetrack. Why not challenge your friends and family for a race?
New feature areas this year include a display of special Army vehicles at The Shambles and a family friendly police car display in Broad Street, where you can take a look at the latest public order police van and equipment of the West Mercia Police fleet as well as vintage police vehicles and even an American police car. If you love race cars, then don’t miss the opportunity to view a single seater Mclaren and British Hill Climb Championship car at the Shelsley Walsh stand in High Street and find out more about the world’s oldest motor sport venue celebrating 110 years.
Roving street entertainment, traditional dance performances and live music will once again create a fantastic atmosphere! The little ones will certainly enjoy the Worcester Motor Festival with free face painting and a colouring in competition. Pick up a copy of the Worcester Motor Festival event programme for the entry form.
This year there are once again a number of stalls, special offers, in store activities and displays by local city centre businesses throughout the shopping area. There is plenty to see and do for kids and grown-ups – participate in the in-store treasure hunt at WhiteStuff, play interactive games at Joules, find that perfect Diecast or Corgi car at Toys & Games of Worcester, take a look at motoring themed celebrity masks and balloons at the Ultimate Party Shop and enter competitions and prize draws at Jones the Bootmaker and Individual Tailoring. You can even find out about the latest motor insurance deals by A-Plan Insurance and engineering courses at Heart of Worcestershire College.
Take advantage of the Motor Festival’s central location and enjoy Worcester’s fantastic shopping offer browsing through unique independent shops and major High Street chains. We have even collated some fantastic motoring themed special offers for you!
If you prefer a round of relaxing window shopping, why not enter our competition by voting for your favourite motoring themed shop window? Pick up a copy of the Worcester Motor Festival event programme for the entry form and if you need a bit of a break, simply pop into one of Worcester’s quality restaurants, cosy cafés and welcoming bars and pubs.
This free event is certainly not only for car enthusiasts, but for the whole family. For further information please also explore www.worcesterbid.com/motorfestival, follow us on twitter @WorcesterBID or visit www.facebook.com/WorcesterBID.
