Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the Hitchin BID Manager.

A verbal presentation was received from Tom Hardy of Hitchin BID.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 18 seconds

The Chair invited Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID Manager, to present. Mr Hardy thanked the Chair, gave a verbal presentation and advised:

·         The business plan was running until April 2024.

·         Meetings were running about what businesses would like to see from the BID and their operations.

·         Visit Hitchin was now being used for the public, BID was used for businesses.

·         The BID were working with Andrew Figgis on the future of the prosperity fund and new funding options.

·         Bench wood was being replaced around town, with bollards and railings being repainted.

·         £12,500 H-Town Pounds were spent over Christmas, with around £6,000 still in circulation to spend in 34 independent businesses.

·         A new community piano would be introduced into the marketplace on 8 April 2023 and would be spray painted.

·         Action Hitchin would fundraise for future town projects.

·         Rhythms of the World was now defunct and the working group would decide what to do with assets on 10 April 2023.

·         The shop vacancy rate in Hitchin was 2%, with many lets seeming empty due to landlords using them as storage or earmarked for development.

·         The Hitchin Information Centre was selling lots of merchandise, including Hitchin Football Club merchandise.

·         Floral displays would be set up in the first week of June.

·         The Christmas lighting application had been started. The catenary wires that hold up the lights needed replacing as they were found to be unsafe during inspection. The cost of replacement was estimated at £10k.

·         Ghost walks were sold out until April, and were looking to add more dates alongside introducing historic walks.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Keith Hoskins

·         Councillor Clare Billing

·         Councillor James Denselow

·         Councillor Nigel Mason

·         Councillor Chris Lucas

·         Councillor Val Bryant

·         Councillor Sam Collins

In response to the questions, Mr Hardy advised:

·         Shop vacancies were advertised on central commercial websites.

·         Landlords had to decide if posters and wrapping could be put on their lets.

·         There were 20 businesses on the waiting list for town units.

·         The Poundland and M&Co unit was owned by an international company.

·         The independent businesses in Hitchin did better than expected over the Christmas period, however increased bills and rent were challenges.

In discussion of the replacement of the catenary wires, Councillors Thake, Hoskins and Albert commented that they could be approached for some of their County Locality Budget to help with the costs.