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Cars, cookery demos and celebrations of unique Worcester businesses are all on the agenda in the city centre this year. The Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) has announced its exciting events schedule for this year’s city centre events with the aim to boost trade in the city.
The 9th Worcester Motor Festival will be taking place on Saturday 16th May featuring the latest dealership car and motorcycles, as well as a showcase of a great array of rare historic vehicles throughout the city centre.
After the success of the inaugural Worcester Foodie Festival last year, this is brought to you again by the Worcester BID on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2015. Make sure you save the dates and discover the tasty treats that Worcester’s food and drink providers can offer you. The weekend will feature tasting sessions, cookery demonstrations and workshops, stalls and fun activities. This free event is for all the family and takes place throughout Worcester city centre.
New this year will the Worcester Foodie Fortnight from 27th July to 9th August, a celebration of the city’s fantastic food and drink businesses. Look out for delicious sample menus, offers and activities.
Worcester BID Manager Adrian Field said: ‘The new Worcester Foodie Festival aims to promote our fantastic restaurants, cafés, bars and delis. It is a great opportunity for people to get flavour of what Worcester has to offer and encourage people to have a look at businesses they may not have seen before.’
Uniquely Worcester is a campaign to celebrate and showcase the city’s wide range of shops, cafés, bars and other service providers that are independently run and beautifully complement Worcester’s unique character. From 2nd November to 5th December discover new businesses and their products and services, from high-end fashion to traditional toys, diamonds to art and craft supplies and home cooked delicacies to chompable choccies.
Nadja von Dahlen, Worcester BID Marketing & Events Manager said, ‘We are looking forward to working with local BID businesses on these events to create memorable experiences for businesses and visitors alike.’
For further information about Worcester BID events and businesses within the BID area please explore www.worcesterbid.com, visit facebook.com/WorcesterBID or follow @WorcesterBID.
Worcester BID, the company which aims to boost trade in the city centre are celebrating today after businesses gave them the thumbs up to continue for another 5 years.
The result means that over £2 million worth of investment will take place over the next 5 years on city centre initiatives. New projects include more marketing of the city centre, spending on reducing the number of gulls in the city centre, the introduction of hanging baskets, more free training and networking events as well as schemes to reduce overheads including trade waste.
The results of a 28 day postal ballot for which 643 businesses were asked to vote were announced with 65% of those voting willing to pay a levy to fund the delivery of a set of projects to help their own and the city centre’s economy. A majority was required both by number and by the aggregate rateable value of those voting. There was a 50.2% turnout with 323 businesses voting. The ballot was conducted independently by Electoral Reform Services.
A Business Improvement District (BID) can operate for a maximum 5 year period and since starting trading in 2010, the Worcester BID have won or been shortlisted for 5 national awards including its work to get people back into the city during and after the floods earlier this year. They were also shortlisted for their entry in the recent High Street of the Year Awards.
Nicki Williams, Chairman of Worcester BID said ‘We are delighted that the majority of businesses who took time to vote and have their say have decided that they want the BID to continue and deliver the projects that they wanted to see. Businesses had the opportunity to help shape the future of the city centre through our consultation events and exercises in the summer and we believe that all sectors which make up this fantastic location will benefit.’
Head of Worcester BID, Adrian Field added ‘The BID staff and Board members who are made up of people from city centre businesses have worked extremely hard in the last 4½ years to make Worcester a place which has overcome the economic downturn better than the vast majority of other places in the country. The Foodie Festival, Motor Festival, introduction of RingGo Pay for Parking, new fingerpost signage, business overhead reduction schemes, funding for CityNet and NightSafe anti crime groups, Christmas promotional campaigns and our popular Uniquely Yours book to promote independent businesses for example have all been delivered as a result of the Worcester BID. It is the businesses who make a BID successful and we are really pleased that they have clearly indicated their support for the next 5 years as there is still a lot of work to be done in order to compete with other centres.
The current BID term finishes in March 2015 and more information on the BID including the projects it delivers can be found at www.worcesterbid.com
Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) is again celebrating after being recognised for their work in a national awards ceremony.
The not for profit organisation which aims to boost trade for its city centre members was runner up in the British BIDs ‘Proud Projects’ Awards for their work earlier in the year in getting people back in to the businesses during and after the floods through their open4business social media campaign. The award follows on from success at winning the Association of Town and City Management’s (ATCM) Award in July. The latest recognition beat applications from over 80 other towns and cities in the UK.
The company, which is currently asking businesses if they are willing to fund them to deliver projects requested by businesses for another 5 year term via a 28 day ballot was also shortlisted for the Future High Street Forum’s ‘High Street of the Year’ last month and despite not landing the winner’s prize, Head of Worcester BID Adrian Field added ‘we are delighted that we have been recognised by three national bodies for the work we have undertaken to help businesses this year. We have now been recognised nationally for 3 of our projects 5 times since being set up in April 2010 and we would clearly hope businesses will want us to support them for another 5 year term.’
Eligible businesses in the BID area have until 27th November to cast their vote with a majority of those voting both by number and rateable value needed for it to continue beyond March 2015.
As you will be aware from previous correspondence and local media coverage there is a proposal to create a 240,000 sq.ft. retail park south of Newtown Road by the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. This would include John Lewis, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Next at Home stores. A public consultation exercise took place in September by the developers to which some businesses attended. Detail of the plans can be found at www.worcesterwoodsretail.co.uk
Having spoken to many businesses regarding this proposal, Worcester BID has arranged a meeting with the developers Land Securities so that you can raise any concerns or questions with them. As well as inviting all BID businesses, invitations to this event are also being sent to relevant Councillors including the City Council Planning Committee, planning officers and the media.
It is crucial that your views are aired to these stakeholders before any planning application is submitted. Speaking with BID businesses, it has so far generally caused a lot of concern about how it will impact on the city centre. Our role is to ensure that businesses are informed of the proposal and can have their views heard as well as representing the BID businesses where there is a strong consensus.
The meeting will take place at 6pm on Tuesday 11th November in the Lecture Theatre, All Saints Building, Heart of Worcestershire College, Deansway and we want as many people to attend as possible. To get an idea of numbers for capacity purposes, we would be grateful if you could let us know if you are attending by emailing info@worcesterbid.com along with the names of any attendees and your business name. Otherwise, please let us know on 01905 731612. Please note that numbers are limited so it will be on a first come first served basis.
If you are unable to attend but wish to make your views known or have a question to ask the developers, please also let me know.
We look forward to your anticipated involvement in this very important consultation exercise.
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The countdown is on to determine whether businesses want to see the continuation of an award winning city centre management company.
Eligible businesses in Worcester city centre have today (Thursday) received a copy of Worcester BID’s Business Plan which outlines the planned work for the next 5 years ahead of a 28 day postal ballot which starts on 31st October.
644 shops, offices and leisure businesses will be eligible to vote to see if they are willing to support the proposals which they themselves fund through a levy based on their rateable value. Worcester BID will continue if more than 50% of businesses voting agree to the proposals by number and by aggregate rateable value. The announcement will be made on November 28th, one day after the ballot period closes. The ballot is being conducted independently by Electoral Reform Services.
Head of Worcester BID, Adrian Field said ‘we have a Business Plan that outlines the projects that businesses themselves wanted to see to help them so it is very much demand led and this is how a BID should be. We want to build on the projects that we have delivered for the last 5 years and introduce new ones for the next 5 such as more done to combat the gull population, introducing hanging baskets, more free training and networking opportunities, schemes to reduce overheads and improvements to trade waste recycling.’
Stuart Bailey, Director at BID business Thomas Guise Solicitors in Foregate Street and Vice Chairman of the Worcester BID added ‘We want to ensure that businesses have their say in the ballot and would urge them to look at the Business Plan and our track record in delivering high quality projects such as the Foodie Festival, the recent Uniquely Yours book, open4business marketing campaign during the floods and Customer Service Assessments for example. Businesses need to have an informed view of the proposals and how they will help their business if they sign up to them and the Business Plan delivers this.
If the BID ballot is not successful then events, marketing campaigns such as for Christmas, RingGo pay for parking by phone, funding for CityNet and Nightsafe anti crime groups and deals to reduce overheads would simply go and that would be a disaster for the city.’
Worcester BID have recently led on the submission which shortlisted the city’s High Street for the Future High Street Forum’s High Street of the Year competition and have won national awards for the open4business post flooding campaign and for their loyalty card for employees.
More information on the Worcester BID’s plans can be found at www.worcesterbid.com/bid2
City centre bosses and businesses have hailed the news that Worcester has been shortlisted for a coveted national award as ‘fantastic’ for the city.
The city is to battle it out with other cities, towns and villages in the Great British High Street Awards which aim to highlight new and innovative ways to boost commercial city centre areas.
Adrian Field, Head of Worcester BID (Business Improvement District), who compiled the award’s submission, said it was deserved recognition.
He said: “This is fantastic news for Worcester and the businesses who get involved in the events and campaigns such as the open4business promotion which was so successful in the aftermath of February’s devastating floods. Our High Street looks great with the recent resurfacing at the southern end and we have ridden the economic downturn well as we continue to welcome new businesses such as Moshulu, Joules and this week Swarovski with serious investment soon to take place at Cathedral Plaza.”
“We are delighted that Worcester has been shortlisted for this prestigious award,” said Cllr Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economic Prosperity. “The City Council is working hard to support our vibrant High Street, which is an essential ingredient to the success of our local economy.”
The submission also included the important role on the economy that events have on the High Street such as the Foodie Festival, Motor Show, Museums on the High Street (MOTHS) parade, Artillery parade, Christmas Fayre, Worcester Music Festival which all led to huge increases in footfall.
The contest is being run by the Future High Street Forum and received more than 135 entries from across the UK.
High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “There is a real sense of momentum behind our high streets and I’m determined that the hard work of people who have strived to make their high streets great places to work, shop and live is not only recognised but shared with others so they too can learn valuable tips for success.”
“We have seen a lot of enthusiasm for this competition and I’ve heard first hand on my tour on high streets around the country how proud people are of their streets and the value they place on them as an essential part of their community.”
The entries were whittled down to a shortlist and Worcester will now be visited on Monday by a member of the judging panel which consists of key players from the Forum. A winner will then be selected for each category and announced in a month.
The winners will win a share of £50,000 prize money and receive dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts.
A business in Worcester city centre has been crowned Best Business for the second year running for its levels of customer service.
House of Dogs based in New Street beat off the challenge from over 60 other city centre businesses at the 4th annual Worcester BID Customer Service Awards. Scoring perfect marks, the dog grooming business, run by Stuart Wilson also won the Health, Beauty and Well Being category.
The results which are determined after an independent customer service assessment or mystery shop is carried out were announced at a ceremony at the Worcester Whitehouse Hotel last night (Monday). The assessments covered all sectors and as well as physical visits businesses were offered the chance to see how they fared when answering the telephone or responding to an email. Firms were assessed on a variety of factors including branch appearance, products and pricing, service, and staff image.
Other winners on the night were:
Businesses who scored 100% in their visit but missed out on winning the category after a telephone assessment tie breaker were also awarded trophies in recognition of their superb efforts and were:
Anja Potze Fine Jewellery – Friar Street
Early Learning Centre – Chapel Walk, CrownGate
Premier Places Estate Agent – Foregate Street
Adrian Field, Head of Worcester BID added that ‘the standards of customer service had slightly increased year on year in those businesses assessed but the stand out sector was in food and drink sector which performed brilliantly with an average score of 88% with all 16 businesses assessed being independent. Overall, the average score of the assessments for the physical visits was a healthy 81% and this puts Worcester in a very favourable light when compared with other cities who carry out such assessments.
House of Dogs is an independent business who have clearly demonstrated that excellent customer service will boost business through word of mouth and repeat visits – to win two years in a row is a great testament to that.’
A major new scheme to overhaul the existing pedestrian signage and help people navigate around Worcester city centre has been completed. 48 brand new fingerpost signs have been installed replacing the previous stock which was thought to be over 25 years old. Funded by the businesses that are part of the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), the scheme highlights the newer attractions such as the Hive and University City Campus as well as highlighting the shopping centres and historical commercial streets such as Friar Street, New Street and Sidbury.
‘The previous brown fingerpost signage looked awful, was outdated and the new installation was a key project that the business community wanted the Worcester BID to deliver’ said Head of Worcester BID, Adrian Field. ‘We have been able to highlight like never before commercial areas including Reindeer Court, The Hopmarket, Cathedral Plaza, Sidbury and CrownGate Shopping Centre as well as the tourist attractions, new buildings such as the Hive as well as ensuring that signage from key arrival points in the city informs those not familiar with Worcester which direction to head to.’
Alison Pickerill, BID Director and Marketing Manager at Peplow Jewellers in High Street added ‘The aim of the signage project was to satisfy the desire of businesses by highlighting the key areas more prominently to visitors. We wanted to make their experience much easier wherever they want to go and to also encourage them to venture throughout the city centre into places that they may not have explored before.’
The project, which includes finials of the Worcestershire Pear, is the latest in the line of schemes that have been delivered by the Worcester BID to help businesses in the city centre. Businesses will be going to ballot in November to ascertain whether they wish the BID to continue for another 5 years. In the current term, Worcester BID have been responsible for events such as the recent Foodie Festival, Chocolate Day, Motor Festival as well as RingGo Pay for Parking by Phone and the nationally award winning open4business campaign during and after the floods in February.
Worcester Wins National Accolade for Community Response to February Flooding
The City of Worcester has been awarded a national prize for partnership work and achievement at the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) Awards, held in Dundee on Thursday, June 26th. The city faced catastrophic flooding during February 2014, and rapidly coordinated and promoted an Open4Business campaign that combatted potential negative media stories and prevented loss of trade. The campaign made great use of social media to highlight that despite the difficulties, the community was pulling together and the city was very much still Open4Business.
Alexander Nicoll, ATCM Chairman said “It is a first to award the ATCM Chairman’s Prize to a place rather than a person but I have no hesitation in doing so this year. The City of Worcester as a whole community responded with vigour and in a very co-ordinated way to the storms and terrible flooding of last winter.
The city’s Open4Business campaign was supported by all strands of the local community and underlined what human ingenuity, planning and project co-ordination can achieve even in the face of the scale of natural disaster faced by the people of Worcester during the floods.
Many other communities responded valiantly to what they faced but I am delighted to award the 2014 ATCM Chairman’s Prize to, in effect, everyone who lives and works in Worcester to acknowledge their substantial response during the floods to keep Worcester Open4Business.”
Head of Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) who led the campaign which made full use of social media, Adrian Field added “We are delighted that Worcester has been acknowledged for its efforts in minimising the devastating impact of the floods. We had great support from businesses to spread our message and the key stakeholders played a fantastic role in aiding awareness of the fact that traders were well and truly open both during and straight after the floods”
The official presentation of the award will be taking place at Worcestershire County Cricket Club at 1.30pm on Monday, June 30th.
Well done, Worcester! City wins award for #Open4Business campaign that defied the floods (Worcester News), 27/06/2014
Prize presentation at Worcestershire County Cricket Club with Worcester BID Chairman Nicki Williams.
Worcester BID’s Adrian Field & Nadja von Dahlen collecting the ATCM Chairman’s Award from Alexander Nicolls
