To receive a verbal presentation from the Hitchin BID Manager.
Decision:
A verbal presentation was given by the Hitchin BID Manager, Mr Tom Hardy.
Members asked questions and took part in discussion including topics such as:
· Hitchin Town Centre Strategy
· Churchgate
· The impact of the emerging Local Plan
The Chair of the Committee undertook to write to Council officers and the relevant Executive Members concerning the issues raised.
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:
· The Christmas Lights Switch On took place on the 20 November and was a huge success with lots of people in attendance.
· This year saw the parade led by a 60-piece marching band and new lights were installed at Churchgate and the Wilko building. Further additions to the lights are expected for next years event.
· The H-Town Business Awards took place with the winners presented at the Christmas Lights Switch On.
· The Christmas market was due to take place from 8 to 15 December, with 11 of the 15 stalls being local businesses and the grotto run by Garden House Hospice.
· The Platinum Jubilee in 2022 will see events across the four day weekend, with different activities on each of the days (big screens, carnivals, street parties, etc.).
· As a business led organisation, events run by the BID need to support businesses in the town, but also appeal to the public. Therefore there is an intention to work with other organisations and groups across the town to support events where business is not the main focus.
· Were beginning to think of a tourism strategy for Hitchin, understanding the journey into town, experience there and returning home – this tourism work is being supported by students at the University of Hertfordshire.
· There had been over £8000 worth of H-Town Pounds sold so far, this is expected to support local businesses in January when business is traditionally slower.
· The BID had rebranded to Visit Hitchin as its public facing arm and Hitchin Hub for businesses.
· The Christmas tree had been installed and was up and running.
· Updated on cardboard and used coffee grounds collections, which included a new compactor being installed.
· There were 37 new businesses, which meant there was now a vacancy rate of just 3% which represented a quarter of the national average. There was a higher demand for smaller premises.
· In liaison with Herts County Council and North Herts Council, the High Street closures had been moved from temporary to experimental and would look at ways of increasing pedestrianisation of the High Street without negatively affecting businesses there.
· Conversations had been held with the tenants at Churchgate, who were worried and concerned at recent developments over the lease. They had requested that the Council made some communication to explain the situation and development and all unnecessary panic.
· Four new floating platforms had been installed in the river to prevent the moorhens nesting on the fountains.
Councillor Ian Albert thanked Tom Hardy for this update and wished to express his thanks to the Town Centre Rangers who were leaving, for all the work they had done.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Ian Albert
· Councillor Mike Hughson
Councillor Richard Thake commented that he would like to see Churchgate redeveloped, however no certainty can be given at this stage. It was important for the Council to understand the proposals before communicating with tenants.
Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg confirmed that the Commercial Property transaction had not been completed yet and until this is completed there was little concrete information to pass onto tenants.
In response to questions, Mr Tom Hardy advised:
· There was a prospective tenant for the old bathroom store, but this could not yet be confirmed.
· The low shop vacancy rate in Hitchin compared to national average was due to a number of factors including the benefit of having a central market square for events and the proximity of the town to London. The BID also worked with new businesses and local landlords to match people to an appropriate property.