To receive a verbal update from BID Board Member.
Minutes:
Mrs Viv Bradford, a Business Improvement District (BID) Board Member updated Members on the progress of the BID’s work in trying to improve the economic vitality of the town centre economy.
A BID booklet was handed out at the meeting entitled ‘Newcastle-under-Lyme Highlights and Achievements 2017’. The booklet focussed on three main objectives: Promotion; Experience; and Growth, Development and Investment.
By making the visit to the town a pleasant experience it would encourage more people to visit. There was also the objective of encouraging the take up of empty shop units.
An update was given on the activities of the BID which included training events, networking events, encouraging circus-themed window displays within the town centre and festivals (including the Lymelight and Jazz and Blues).
Members were advised that the vacancy rate of shop units had risen from 9.51 % to 13.8% in December and this figure would increase further.
The Council’s Regeneration and Economic Development Manager – Ms Kim Graham circulated information on a Vacancy Rate Survey with comparisons across the country. In terms of the West Midlands, Biddulph was highest with a rate of 18.18% and Kenilworth the lowest with 4.58%.
Nationally, there was an issue with the retail sector in traditional High Streets. The larger shopping complexes did better due to having everything ‘under one roof’. There was also the issue of online shopping and changes in shopping habits which were having a significant impact.
The Council wants to promote a sustainable town centre so there was a need to decide how this could be done. The BID and the Council need to work with other partners to find a way forward that suits the unique conditions and opportunities presented by our town centre.
Councillor Stubbs asked what key areas were applicable to Newcastle over the next few years.
Mrs Bradford stated that the demographics of the local population would change as would the use of the town centre. For example, with the increase of the student population, parents from outside of the area would visit creating a need for more hotel accommodation and coffee shops / eateries.
Members were advised that the Roebuck Centre had been taken over and the owners were encountering difficulty in trying to fill the empty units within the complex as people were waiting to see what units may be available in the Ryecroft development.
Members commented on the rateable values of some of the shop units and suggested that smaller units may be a way forward. The BID were currently looking into this.
A suggestion was made to talk to students to find out their preferences of the kinds of ‘businesses’ they would want to see within the town and also, the shopping habits of the young, middle aged and elderly could be investigated.
It was noted that Members of the Finance, Resources and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee wished to raise the issue of CCTV monitoring within the town.
Officers commented that as part of the BID’s establishment a baseline position was established in respect of a whole range of services (including CCTV provision and monitoring) in order that the BID could demonstrate “additionality” or enhancements to existing services. It was noted that there was a caveat relating to budgetary constraints so the Council could reduce or cease provision of CCTV services. Therefore the BID and the Council could review the scope for a phased contribution for the next two financial years rather than risk complete cessation of this service which is valued by the businesses, particularly the small independents.
Mrs Bradford confirmed that the BID were going to look into CCTV.
Resolved: That the information be received and the comments noted.