Northallerton BID AGM Brochure for 2021-2022

CONTENTS

Introduction 4

Community and Networking - Bringing Businesses 5

Back Together Breakfast Network Meeting 5

Staying connected digitally 5

Bringing Northallerton to the big screen 6

Celebrating Northallerton and Supporting Businesses 7

Helping Northallerton to:

Extend parking 7 Recruit 7

Keep Recycling 7 Maintain Cleanliness 8 Stay Safe 8

Spotlight shines bright on Northallerton 9

Summer of Fun 9

Dog Days 9 Late night shopping 9 Snowman Trail 10

Love Northallerton at Christmas 10 Pancake Race 10

Financial 11 Backing the BID 12

Treadmills gathers traction with new development 13

Celebrating a 50-year milestone 13

INTRODUCTION

Over the last 12 months the BID (Business Improvement Districts) has focused on helping Northallerton businesses return to a sense of normality, with the restrictions from the pandemic relaxing the primary focus from the BID was to support Northallerton and give maximum effort in returning to pre-covid levels of footfall, spend and attraction. Caution was felt by most communities across the country following the peak of the pandemic and therefore re-building trust in shopping local and in person, was one of the major tasks for the BID.

Even though the pandemic restrictions were beginning to relax, the pandemic still loomed large and restrictions on mass gatherings and events were still prohibited. It was with great sadness that once again any large-scale events that were organised needed to be cancelled/postponed however the health and safety of the public and businesses remained the BIDS number one priority. With a strong desire to attract people to the town we decided to have a packed “Summer of Fun.” The Summer of Fun ran throughout the school holidays and was a great opportunity for families to visit the High Street and be entertained by street acts and popular characters. This proved popular amongst the public and was a wonderful opportunity for businesses to become involved with the acts.

Re-building trust and creating an added value to shopping in Northallerton, the BID launched Magic Mondays as an initiative to encourage people to visit the High Street and other independent retailers. Magic Mondays involved a random act of kindness to a member of the public, this involved purchasing different items for people to show our appreciation for shopping local and in Northallerton. The first Magic Monday coincided with the return of nonessential retail such as the hospitality industry, and therefore we concentrated on sectors which had been hit particularly hard through the pandemic. We received overwhelming positive feedback from the public, and local businesses were extremely keen to be involved with Magic Mondays. As a result of the initiative, we also created a promotional video showcasing the acts of kindness and promoting the businesses and people of Northallerton.

The end of the year 2021 also signalled the end of the first BID tenure. It had been five years since the BID was originally constructed and therefore it was time for a re-election. Northallerton BID went to a vote with the proposal sent out to all BID members for review. The vote had a turnout of 45% which is above the national average, with 67% of businesses in favour of the BID, and 73% by rateable value. This result demonstrates the support Northallerton instils in the BID, and this meant that our continuation of the BID would extend to a second tenure, beginning on the 1st of April 2022.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the BID members for their continued support, Northallerton is in a strong position to recover from the pandemic, and I believe by working closely we will be able to overcome challenges ahead and prosper.

LINDSAY JUDD CHAIR, NORTHALLERTON BID COMPANY

COMMUNITY AND NETWORKING BRINGING BUSINESSES BACK TOGETHER

Breakfast Network Meeting

The BID host a bi-monthly breakfast meeting for all the BID members to attend, with a different theme each session.

Our Network Breakfast meetings offer a chance to speak directly to the BID, with suggestions, queries, and comments. It is an opportunity to keep up to date with the BID’s progress and to find information about Northallerton, the schemes introduced and the upcoming events.

However, due to the pandemic these had to be paused therefore it was a key priority to restart these meetings and to grant the opportunity for businesses to connect

Staying connected digitally

Following on from a successful readership of 2020, the e-newsletter provided by the BID kept momentum. The e-newsletter was released monthly and allowed businesses to be kept up to date with the activities of the BID and granted the opportunity for business engagement on specific issues.

and collaborate. The first network meeting since the pandemic was hosted in August 2021, and saw many familiar faces return to network and catch up. Following on from the reinstatement of the breakfast meetings these carried on for the rest of the year. We had multiple different themes including the fire service, keeping our businesses safe and secure and how businesses can make the most out of the events planned. We enjoy the opportunity to directly engage with our businesses and encourage organisations to become actively involved to ensure that your voice is heard.

Bringing Northallerton to the big screen

After a strong marketing campaign through 2020 with “On your Doorstep”, it was time for a new message. Our marketing campaign focused on “We Are Northallerton,” a message which is bold and powerful and represents the proudness of Northallerton. To kickstart off the campaign, a TV (Sky) Adsmart campaign was created, which involved direct engagement with the community of Northallerton and allowed the opportunity to showcase all the fantastic areas and businesses. This campaign was seen over 110,000 times and supported Northallerton and the local businesses.

Following on from this, our marketing campaign was showcased at strategic points throughout the year for maximum impact. This message featured on billboards, leaflets, social media posts and window stickers. This message was selected because it created a sense of unity and togetherness, this seemed particularly poignant in relation to the pandemic.

Helping Northallerton to: CELEBRATING NORTHALLERTON AND SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

Recruit

At a time when the pandemic began to ease and restrictions lifted, Northallerton saw footfall begin to rise and shops began to fill. Therefore, one of Northallerton’s priorities was recruitment to ensure there was adequate staffing levels to be able to cope with demand. This resulted in a partnership with the Northallerton Job Centre. The job fair saw over 32 businesses attend with a steady flow of interested parties throughout. Additionally, for businesses that were unable to attend, job adverts were advertised on notice boards for people attending the job fair. This allowed every business to be involved, and the result was the successful recruitment of staff for specific businesses.

Extend parking

Northallerton BID have been the driving force behind the end goal of an extended free parking campaign. Through the pandemic parking was extended to a more generous one hour, the BID has been and continues to challenge the current parking structure, on behalf of Northallerton businesses.

Maintain Cleanliness

Additionally, Northallerton BID has funded the gum-zapping team to improve the High Street. This activity was well received within Northallerton and demonstrates the pride that Northallerton businesses have on the presentation of the High Street. Furthermore, a substantial investment was made to the Heritage Action Zone to improve shopfronts and promote the towns rich history and heritage.

Keep Recycling

Our popular cardboard collection service was in full swing, and saw more business successfully join the scheme. This is an initiative first started by the BID and supports businesses with the cost and logistics of recycling cardboard. The BID assist with over thirty businesses and their cardboard recycling requirements, estimated to save businesses (dependant on demand) between £10 to £25 a month. Overall, collectively saving businesses thousands of pounds per year.

Stay Safe

The BID has a great working relationship with North Yorkshire Police and Safer Hambelton and regularly communicate about the security and safety of Northallerton. Furthermore, Northallerton BID work closely with Shopwatch and Pubwatch. The BID also funds the DISC retail security app.

Northallerton BID work in conjunction with Hambleton District Council to ensure that Northallerton is well-equipped to prevent and stop crime. Currently, Northallerton has 27 CCTV cameras, which allows fantastic coverage of key areas. The BID and other parties have identified specific spots where coverage could be improved; conversations are on-going to ensure these areas are addressed

SPOTLIGHT SHINES BRIGHT ON NORTHALLERTON

Summer of Fun

Due to the pandemic, our big events such as Jurassic Northallerton had to be postponed. However, we were keen to promote Northallerton and to attract visitors. Therefore, the Summer of Fun was launched. This involves street entertainment, such as jugglers, stilt walkers and superhero characters performing on a Wednesday and Saturday from 11am till 3pm. This ran throughout summer and was extremely popular with businesses and the public. Following on from this success, a marketing campaign was initiated to capture all the excitement and help businesses promote.

Late night shopping

The BID encouraged businesses to open for late night shopping which took place on the 19th of November and 3rd of December. Stilt walkers, and Frozen characters embraced the high street to promote businesses open and to provide entertainment for shoppers.

Dog Days

We hosted two dog days events on the 23rd and 27th of October. This was to demonstrate how welcome dogs are in Northallerton. Different businesses were involved and was utilised as a chance to celebrate our four-legged friends.

Love Northallerton at Christmas

For the first time, Northallerton BID sponsored a Christmas advert which displayed the offerings of Northallerton. This advert was seen over 160,000 times and was a great promotional video to help footfall and activity within businesses.

Snowman Trail

Following on from our elf trail, we launched the snowman trail. This involved over 100 businesses been actively involved in a trail. The snowmen were handcrafted and created by Jennyruth Workshops which is a charity based in Yorkshire, who aims to help adults with learning disabilities become trained in craft skills and product creation. A QR code was used to track people’s progression and prizes were awarded to the people who scanned the most. This was a huge success, and over 4,000 QR codes were scanned.

Pancake Race

The pancake race made a return from previous years and involved schools, businesses, BBC Radio York, and Olympian athlete Scott Lincoln. This was well attended and enjoyed by all.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the micro-entity provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with FRS 105 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the Micro-entities Regime.

During the year to 31 March 2022, The BID working groups continued in four areas: Marketing, Safe and Secure, Environment/Place and Business Support and Events. Expenditure was used to support businesses after the re-opening of non-essential shopping. Magic Mondays was a scheme created to show the benefit/appreciation of the public who visited our High Street. Following this scheme, marketing videos and PR for businesses hardest hit by the pandemic were prioritized. A high profile marketing campaign which consisted of “We Are Northallerton”, a TV sky advert promoted this message and received over 110,000 views, promoting Northallerton. Additionally, the message of “We Are Northallerton” was used as the overarching marketing message for this year.

Other marketing funds were spent on the Summer of Fun events which ran all through summer on a Wednesday and Saturday. Summer of Fun provides free entertainment for the public and helps drive footfall throughout summer. Furthermore, the BID spent money on the re-election campaign for Northallerton BID, with a “Back the BID” message to businesses.

Although the pandemic prevented large-scale events, the BID mounted extensive Christmas promotions, including the Christmas tree on the town square, festive lighting, a Christmas countdown clock at the front of the Town Hall, a Santa video, and children’s trails. The snowman trail received over 4,000 scans and proved very popular. Over Christmas, a Sky Adsmart Advert was created showcasing shopping at Christmas in Northallerton, this received over 160,000 views. Funds were also used for Pancake Day, which proves very popular with schools, businesses and high-profile individuals attending.

Businesses continued to benefit from the BID-funded cardboard recycling scheme, the DISC business security app and support for the Shopwatch, Pubwatch scheme. The BID contributed to the Heritage Action Zone, which will target shopfront improvements and a virtual reality trail for historic landmarks.

Funding was collected by Hambleton District Council and received quarterly in arrears. The BID benefited from additional Government grants, administered by the same authority.

BALANCE SHEET

Fixed assets 1,179 1,042

Current assets 94,848 94,768

Prepayments and accrued income 30,255 17,594

Creditors: Amounts falling due (3,285) (16,453) within one year

Net current assets 121,818 95,909

Total assets less current liabilities 122,997 96,951 Accruals and deferred income (695) (5,073)

Capital and reserves 122,302 91,878

DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY

The directors who held office during the year were as follows: Mr L P Judd, Mrs N L Burton, Mrs J A Hutson, Mr M Grover, Mrs J Fedyszyn, Mr D Pears, Mr T Crow, Mrs J S Dyke, Mr G C Barker, Mrs M Kettlewell.

SMALL COMPANIES PROVISION STATEMENT

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The company is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the company in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Joe Cornish Galleries Top Floor, Zetland Street, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1NA, England

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with FRS 105 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the Micro-entities Regime’.

STAFF NUMBERS

The average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year, was 12 (2021 - 12).

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the micro-entity provisions of the Companies Act 2006. For the financial year ending 31 March 2022 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

• The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and

• The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

PROFIT AND LOST ACCOUNT

Turnover 161,149 158,439

Other Income 5,766 34,515

Cost of raw materials and consumables (480) 2400 Staff costs (40,890) (40,262)

Depreciation and other amounts written off assets (485) (470)

Other charges (115,106) (124,198)

Surplus for the year 9,954 30,424

DETAILED PROFIT AND LOST ACCOUNT

Turnover 161,149 158,439

Cost of sales (480) 2,400

Gross surplus 160,669 160,839

Gross surplus % 99.7% 101.51%

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Employment costs (40,890) (40,262)

Establishment costs (3,759) (3,567)

General administrative expenses (111,255) (120,535)

Finance charges (92) (96)

Depreciation costs (485) (470) (156,481) (164,930)

Other operating income 5,766 34,515

Operating surplus 9,954 30,424

Surplus before tax 9,954 30,424

TURNOVER EMPLOYMENT COSTS

Levies received 155,261 155,464

Voluntary contributions and memberships 5,888 1,732

Business awards income - 1,243 161,149 158,439

Wages and salaries (excluding directors) (40,602) (39,763)

Staff pensions (288) (278)

Staff training - (221) (40,890) (40,262)

ESTABLISHMENT COSTS

Rent (2,607) (2,400) Insurance (1,112) (1,166)

Repairs and maintenance (40) (1) (3,759) (3,567)

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES

Telephone and internet (774) (1,041)

Printing, postage and stationery (492) (221)

Subscriptions (2,004) (1,750)

Travel and subsistence (263) (51)

Advertising and general marketing (54,778) (63,563)

Events and NTE group transactions (34,005) (8,800)

Business support working group (1,761) (1,600)

Gateway working group (12,326) (19,432)

Refreshments and entertaining (709) (349)

Safe and secure working group (3,287) (945)

Hardship Payment - (1,582)

Accountancy fees (515) (490)

Legal and professional fees (5,875) (3,376)

Software costs (375) (348) Bad debts (5,909) (16,987) (111,255) (120,535)

FINANCE CHARGES

Bank charges (92) (96)

DEPRECIATION COSTS

Depreciation of fixtures and fittings (485) (470)

OTHER OPERATING INCOME

Other operating income - events 133 30

Local government grants receivable 5,633 34,485 5,766 34,515

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THE BID!

THE BID

The end of 2021 signified the end of our first BID tenure and presented the businesses of Northallerton an opportunity to have their say on the future of the BID. A majority voted FOR Northallerton BID. We look forward to the future and thank you for your confidence.

TREADMILLS GATHERS TRACTION WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT

We welcome the transition at the Treadmills in Northallerton. It is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Northallerton, and acts as a great destination for people outside of the community to visit. We have built a strong relationship with C4DI, York and Sunderland Campus and welcome them to our community. As developments continue, the BID will encourage people to utilise the facilities available.