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 the Hitchin BID area.
The Chair thanked Mr Hardy for his presentation.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 6 minutes 41 seconds
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. He drew attention to the following:
· Hitchin BID’s regular business support was ongoing.
· The introduction of al fresco eating options had been successful.
· Buskers and performers had returned to the BID area indicating increased footfall.
· PPE bought in bulk by the BID had been sold at cost to Hitchin businesses.
· Outdoor hand sanitiser stations installed had seen regular use.
· Social distancing signage had been installed.
· The day-to-day activities of BID had resumed, including the floral displays and rangers on the street.
· Mr Hardy had joined the Hitchin Markets Board to secure links between that body and the BID.
· Plans were being made for a socially distanced Christmas Market open to Hitchin businesses to ease the impact of social distancing on commerce over the period.
· Councillor Albert had supported Mr Hardy to select the town Christmas tree.
· Christmas lights would be installed and tested around late October.
· A community bauble painting project was also planned to decorate the Christmas tree.
· Two new hairdressers, a bakery, a Korean restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant and Signing Rooms had opened.
· Businesses were doing better than anticipated, possibly due to commuter retention.
The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:
· Councillor Judi Billing
· Councillor Paul Clark
· Councillor Mike Hughson
· Councillor Keith Hoskins
· Councillor Simon Harwood
· Councillor Ian Albert
Comments made by Councillors included that:
· It appeared that businesses in small market towns such as Hitchin were performing better than expected.
· It seemed that open air markets and areas with space between shops were preferable to enclosed shopping malls during the current pandemic.
· Vehicles were clustered around the takeaway shops and supermarkets on Nightingale Road.
· Anecdotal reports from residents suggested there is public support for the pedestrianisation of the high street.
· Town centre parking issues would not be dealt with without a comprehensive review.
· European Regional Development Fund funding could be available to provide signage and other benefits to the town and there would be benefit in seeking advice on how to make applications.
In response to questions Mr Hardy advised:
· As a result of the lockdown measures and people working from home there was an increase in people using Hitchin town centre.
· Satellite towns such as Hitchin were doing well. People were more conscious of buying locally.
· Nightingale Road and the businesses there were not part of the BID area.
· Herts County Council had been asked to run a survey on the high street road closure.
· The high street was busy before 10am with businesses deliveries.
· It had been helpful to have Rangers dealing with the road closure to allow access at important times on a discretionary basis.
· The COVID-19 Safety Fund did not offer retrospective funding and so could not be used to recoup costs of PPE purchases etc.
· The BID would work with the Council to identify other funding schemes or applications to be made.
Mr Hardy thanked NHDC for the support given.
The Chair thanked Mr Hardy for his presentation.