5 Mins With

5 Minutes With…

Stepanka (aka Stephanie)

Not only is Stepanka Your Bromley’s Town Ambassador, she’s also the face on our cover shot for this very special first edition. It seemed appropriate to have Stepanka on the cover, welcoming people to Bromley, offering support and being positive about everything we have on our doorstep - as that’s exactly what she does in her day job! We sat down with Stepanka to get to know more about her - and the important role she plays in the town centre…

What exactly is a ‘Your Bromley Ambassador’ - and what does this involve?

As an Ambassador I’m here to support the Business Improvement Districts (BID) and the local business community and provide a visible presence within the town centre. My duties are varied and I often provide advice, support and guidance to businesses on issues such as waste management, environmental issues and crime reduction initiatives. I also encourage businesses to get involved in local BID events like our Food Festival.

What made you apply to become Your Bromley’s town centre ambassador?

Having over 15 years’ experience in the retail and catering event sector I was looking for a position that would combine my interest in working with the general public and being outdoors, together with learning new skills. Being an ambassador fulfills this and I’ve been doing the role for over five years now.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Generally my day starts at 8:45am when I sign in, create reports and plan my day. My day usually includes business visits, general interactions and incident reporting. I also do radio checks with Bromley CCTV. In the morning I have a walk around town to identify any issues that might

need to be resolved and from 11am to 1pm I’m usually a visible presence in town to advise and support visitors in town with local information they might need. After lunch I focus on visiting local businesses to tell them about the latest BID events, initiatives and upcoming meetings they can join. I return to the office at the end of the day to file paperwork and send any outstanding responses to management in regards to business interactions or incidents in town. Tell us about a memorable moment while you’ve been working. I witnessed a staff member from Bromley " School Wear following a flock of ducklings During the easing of lockdown measures in summer 2021, I returned to work and on arriving in Bromley, I witnessed a through Bromley staff member from Bromley School Wear South following a flock of ducklings through Bromley South. I went outside again a bit later and saw the young lady still escorting these ducks and not knowing what to do. I helped her guide the ducklings to the local park along with some others who had taken time off work to help. The community in Bromley is fantastic.

Do you ever get mistaken for a police officer?

Yes, on numerous occasions. Most commonly it is when the public want to complain about dangerous cyclists on the pedestrian part of the high street. On a few other occasions I have been notified of aggressive individuals shouting at members of the public. If this happens I notify CCTV so they can watch and call the police if needed.

What’s the best thing about being an ambassador?

No day is the same. I love concentrating on building good relationships with local businesses and getting to know the local community and I really feel part of it. I also get to be nosey which I enjoy!

Finally, what does community mean to you?

Having a good community is so important. It is thanks to the local business community that we can work together to ensure that our town is safe and welcoming for all. As a community we are able to work together to identify local population issues and prolific offenders targeting Bromley. Building a partnership with local businesses truly makes a huge difference and brings a sense of community to Bromley businesses.