To receive a verbal presentation from the Hitchin BID Manager.
Decision:
Mr Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID Manager, thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the issues and activities in Hitchin Town Centre.
The Chair thanked Tom Hardy for his presentation.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 46 minutes.
Mr Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID Manager, thanked the Chair 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:
· A newsletter from the BID would be released at the end of the month laying out the town centre re-opening plan;
· The BID had moved quickly on business support during lockdown with successful email updates and subsidised PPE purchases;
· The Eat al Fresco project had been a success and was due to return on 12 April in the market place; it was suggested to Councillors that they consider opening up Bancroft Gardens as a location for outdoor dining;
· The Christmas Market planned for 3 weeks last year lasted for two and a half but was otherwise successful;
· A new shopping map highlighting independent stores and eateries with an online version was being developed;
· The Hitchin Basket Project was expanding with increased e-commerce options;
· A QR code scheme to allow online purchase of goods visible in shop windows was being developed, facilitating events like night markets;
· Outdoor hand sanitisation stations in town had been vandalised but lasted for the last 12 months with continuous use;
· The re-opening project had four main objectives of reminding the public about the stores open, reassuring the public it was safe to shop, encouraging the public to visit the town centre, and promoting the features of Hitchin’s unique offer;
· Various online social media campaigns were in development and the newspaper going to print featured good news stories and business promotion of events for the next 12 months, as well as a piece from NHDC and the North Herts Museum;
· A promotional video would be released;
· The Pubwatch group and night rangers would be returning to action and the town centre ranger team was currently dealing with shoplifting and graffiti work;
· The discount commercial waste management scheme would restart and the cardboard collection team was currently busy;
· Floral displays in the town centre would be added to with EU funding and spaced to promote social distancing;
· Awards would be given to businesses that persevered through the pandemic;
· An audit was being carried out on bollards and green box electrical cupboards that needed repainting;
· The spring cleanup in April was going ahead;
· The Hitchin BID Manager now sat on the Hitchin Markets Board and new traders were coming to the market;
· No large town events were planned until June and discussions were underway with Hitchin Festival and Councillor Keith Hoskins regarding the use of the Dell;
· Plans were in place for street days to continue, with the beach returning on the market place, food festivals planned, the French market in October, and the return of the Christmas Markets planned for December;
· In 2020 Hitchin lost 17 businesses and gained 18, with new stores including a furniture shop, estate agents, a law firm, and a baby & pram shop;
· There were some problems with a vendor on the market making use of a peddler’s license.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Keith Hoskins
· Councillor Elisabeth Dennis-Harburg
· Councillor Dr Simon Harwood
In response to questions Mr Tom Hardy advised:
· The BID still had stores of reusable Hitchin branded cups and planned to re-release them and continue the Refill/Reuse campaign post-pandemic. Many businesses in Hitchin still offered discounts for reusable cups.