Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal presentation from the Hitchin BID Manager.

Mr Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID Manager, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the issues and activities in Hitchin Town Centre.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 25 seconds

Mr Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID Manager, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the issues and activities in Hitchin Town Centre and drew attention to the following:

·                At the Food Festival  50 percent of the stalls were Hitchin businesses;

·                The first Bancroft Day took place  which celebrated the 260 businesses along Bancroft;

·                Churchyard Late (late night shopping) would take place in December,Street days would continue in 2020;

·                Suggested events for the future included Hitchin Pride and a Soapbox Derby

·                Anyone with ideas of any events that would help businesses should contact the Hitchin BID Manager;

·                Businesses would be given the opportunity to have Christmas lights on their premises;

·                They had taken on the North Herts District Council Christmas Tree and had chosen a 9 metre tree;

·                 Councillor Ian Albert had paid for new Christmas tree lights in memory of his wife;

·                460 kg of coffee grounds had been recycled into  more than 2100 coffee logs and thsse were on sale in the Information Centre, Brookers and Chilli B’s.

·                There was a new front of house staff member on a Saturday;

·                They had been working with Lady Dixon and the District Council on a new water fountain. Work would be carried out by a local firm and would start on 14 October 2019 amd last approximately 1 week;

·                Judging took place regarding the Great British High Street Awards on 10 September 2019 and voting would close on 7 October 2019. A decision would be made in November 2019;

·                 A tourism strategy was being developed  in order to promote Hitchin as a  destination;

·                There was an update given on the commercial units in Hitchin.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor Kay Tart.

The Hitchin BID Manager confirmed that the Christmas lights switch on event would be held , on Saturday 13 November 2019 at 6pm.

The Chairman thanked Mr Hardy for his presentation.