To receive an oral presentation from the Hitchin Town Centre Manager
Decision:
Mr Keith Hoskins, Hitchin Town Centre Manager, thanked the Vice-Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee. He introduced the new Hitchin BID Manager and gave a verbal presentation regarding the issues and activities in Hitchin Town Centre.
The Vice-Chairman thanked Mr Hoskins and Mr Hardy for their presentation.
RESOLVED:
(1) That Mr Keith Hoskins be thanked for the hard work on behalf of Hitchin that he has undertaken as Hitchin Town Centre Manager;
(2) That Mr Tom Hardy be welcomed as the new Hitchin BID Manager.
REASON FOR DECISION: To keep the Hitchin Committee apprised of the work and activities being undertaken in Hitchin Town Centre.
Minutes:
Mr Keith Hoskins, Hitchin Town Centre Manager, thanked the Vice-Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee. He introduced the new Hitchin BID Manager and gave a verbal presentation regarding the issues and activities in Hitchin Town Centre as follows:
Sun Street
Most of the people turning right at the end of Sun Street were those working at Hitchin Priory.
It may be a good idea to send a note to the company that they could circulate to their employees.
Bid Rangers
The BID rangers did a marvellous job and they were instrumental in enabling a serial purse snatcher to be apprehended.
Mr Hoskins wished to thank the BID Ranges for their efforts in clearing the snow from the pavements.
Funding of Hitchin BID and Initiative
The policy made by the NHDC that they could no longer fund projects bought forward by Hitchin BID or Hitchin Initiative was very frustrating and unclear.
Hitchin Initiative now had a Public Realm Group that would welcome funding for projects and seed funding could lead to other funding being secured.
The Dell
This project was still moving forward with negotiations currently taking place regarding covenant insurance.
The Council had decided that this was the best way forward as, although they had consent from one member of the Gainsford family to continue with the project, consent was required from all of the members of the family.
Covenant insurance would provide an indemnity should anybody object.
They had met with the Executive Member for Leisure and the Parks and Countryside Development Manager at the Dell, both of whom were incredibly enthusiastic.
The Station
A meeting was held with County Councillors and the MP to look at access to the London bound platform and what could be done with the site formerly occupied by the Aggregates.
Work regarding this would continue.
Commercial Issues
There were currently some high-profile voids in the Town Centre; however this was no more than the natural churn after Christmas.
Many of these voids wee at some stage of offer, although it should be noted that this process took some time.
BID Manager
Mr Hoskins introduced Mr Tom Hardy who was the newly appointed Hitchin BID Manager.
Mr Hardy informed Members that, prior to coming to Hitchin, he had been the Letchworth BID Manager for over two years.
He advised that Hitchin BID was heading into the renewal process when all of the business in the BID area would get an opportunity to vote on the new 5-year Business Plan which would begin April 2019. This vote would be held between 2 November 2018 and 4 December 2018.
They were currently considering the changing needs of the Town over the next 5 years including issues such as:
· How technology could be used to get people into the Town;
· How could the Night-time Marshalls be better used and directed to key areas of the Town;
· How events, that showcased the Town, could be improved;
· Considering the marketing strategy such as increasing website presence and the use of social media;
· Ways to promote Hitchin Town Centre as a tourist attraction and encourage people from outside of the area to visit Hitchin;
· Considering offering accredited training such as first aid and fire marshall training, window displays and marketing courses at a discount.
The businesses, which would be paying the BID levy, would then be asked what they would like to see in their Plan.
The BID had been very successful at “business as usual” including:
· BID Rangers, who worked really hard and were the eyes and ears of the BID and Town Centre;
· Night-time Marshalls who were becoming more and more important;
· Events such as the Christmas Light Switch On and the Hitchin Food Festival;
· Street cleaning, with chewing gum removal being arranged this year, thanks to County Councillor Locality Budget funding;
· Cardboard recycling, which was now used by over 200 businesses, saving them money.
They were currently tendering for the Town Centre floral displays and considering where these could be best placed as well as looking at the Christmas lights and the associated switch on event.
There would be a meet and greet the new BID Manager event at Osinskys on 15 March 2018 from 12.00 to 15.00 and 1600 to 1900 and all Councillors were welcome to attend.
The Vice-Chairman thanked Mr Hoskins and Mr Hardy for their presentation.
RESOLVED:
(1) That Mr Keith Hoskins be thanked for the hard work on behalf of Hitchin that he has undertaken as Hitchin Town Centre Manager;
(2) That Mr Tom Hardy be welcomed as the new Hitchin BID Manager.
REASON FOR DECISION: To keep the Hitchin Committee apprised of the work and activities being undertaken in Hitchin Town Centre.