Southend BID Newsletter April 2017

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BIDNEWS

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APRIL I AM DELIGHTED TO PRESENT SOUTHEND’S

NEWSLETTER It has been two months since our first newsletter of the year was distributed (both in print and online) and though a short time, there are many items to update you on.

From our initial consultation process, which began last month with our first interactive workshop, to the colourful bunting being added, to the launch of the Southend High Street Online guide, it has been a very busy time.

There are development plans for our already well received annual events and we have added two brand new events to our calendar, which you will discover as you read on. Last month, we also revealed the impressive piece of artwork on Elmer Approach – our third series of improvements in transforming this part of the town centre.

We also have many upcoming plans for enhancing the streetscape with floral planting, cleaning and upgrades throughout the BID area. The same applies to safety and security; Street Ranger projects took place in March and will continue throughout the year.

As we progress into the renewal process and as a result of your feedback, we will be introducing a number of new communication methods, as well as adding an online events calendar to display future events and projects to keep you even more up to date with what Southend BID is delivering.

At such a crucial stage for Southend BID, there will be further emphasis on projects that we are currently providing. We will also be developing new initiatives and taking on board your comments to consistently ensure that Southend remains an illustrious place to both work and visit.

I hope you are enjoying reading about what we are getting up to.

Best Wishes,

Alison Dewey BID Manager

The ave user spe rage nt over

2 minutes on the High Str Southend indepen eet Online dent in Febru s page ary

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Interactive WORKSHOP

FEEDBACK Firstly, thank you to those that attended Southend BID’s interactive workshops, which took place on the morning and evening of Tuesday 14th March.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us. Both sessions ran extremely well and it was fantastic to see so many of you together to hear your ideas being discussed so passionately. For those who registered but were unable to attend, please do send us a brief email, including comments and suggestions on Southend BID from the past five years. As levy payers, your input is tremendously valuable as renewal approaches and we would love to hear from you.

We have analysed the feedback and provided a report below on what you feel is most important.

With regards to safety and security, the vast majority of attendees requested more Street Rangers. There were also suggestions of expanding their powers further, as well as the businesses themselves having the means to successfully deter shop theft.

This was a ‘must have’ attribute, along with

policing, parking, lighting, rough sleeping, more and alternative forms of levy payer communication and better event promotion in continuing to put Southend on the map. Other ideas highlighted raising the standards - vacant shopfront artwork and money saving procurements were amongst those attendees felt were ‘nice to have.’ ‘New ideas’ were noted in abundance, which was enlightening to hear – there were suggestions of introducing an events calendar, hosting more networking events and the addition of exclusive communication groups, highlighting the prominence of a stronger voice for commerce. In addition, more family, music or art focused events have also been duly noted. Perhaps not surprising, there was not a single request for an item that is ‘not really needed.’

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ook part businesses t ctive in our intera ith w workshops, es 45 attende

Elmer Approach Artwork Having promised further improvements to Elmer Approach, Southend BID commissioned local artist Luke Bryant to create an artwork mural for the series of 60ft wide boards.

Depicting Southend seafront in a surreal way, the piece has a beach and golden ombre sunset background and features objects that

are representative of Southend including a sandcastle, pigeons, carousel horses, crabs with chips, the pier and ‘melting’ ice-creams, as well as a beautiful 3D arrangement featuring various items: a stick of rock, the historic RA Jones clock face, doughnuts and sports balls. It transforms, brightens and adds

interest, inviting onlookers and drawing in consumers to the town centre. The art piece has already received positive feedback, with visitors appreciative of the cleansing and enhancements we have provided in this area and that will have a lasting effect on the town.

SOUTHEND FESTIVAL OF WHEELS As you may be aware, Southend BID will be hosting a brand new event on Sunday 23rd April, taking place along the High Street and seafront from 11am until 5pm.

Southend Festival of Wheels will be a celebration of wheeled vehicles and machinery and will aim to highlight road safety and the impact of considerate driving, in conjunction with Safer Road Essex Partnership. Music and entertainment will accompany a range of displays, including motorbikes, super and classic cars, bicycle

stunts, wheelchair dancers and remote control cars. The event receives promotion across Visit Southend - banners have been added to local and neighbouring points of interest and leaflets and posters have been distributed. It is an exciting event, which we believe will become a thrilling addition and make a positive impact to the life of the town.

Visit S promot outhend’s centre ion of town a events nd seafront has rea ched

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across s oc the last ial media in 6 mont hs

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SOUTHEND

FOOD FESTIVAL At our workshops, many of you suggested a range of new events to be delivered by Southend BID, so there isn’t a better a time to announce that we will be introducing another event to Southend, dedicated to food and drink. Spanning over a long weekend in June, the event will showcase Southend’s diverse

selection of restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars by incorporating a food trail for visitors to take part in and to sample the best culinary establishments Southend has to offer. For those of you who run a catering business and would like to participate, please voice your interest by sending an email to hello@southendbid.com.

BUNTING AND BANNERS Spring is officially here! The brightly coloured bunting and banners were erected throughout the High Street last month, transforming the town.

Floral planting and overall clean-up and repair projects follow – every one as equally as important in making Southend a great place to be for business and visitors alike. In March, the painting of the litter bins for Easter took place and in April, Southend’s Town Map was released.

Featuring an in-depth map displaying the best areas of town to visit, it also lists Southend’s attractions, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and accommodation and highlights why Southend is such a great place to visit.

Visit Southend mobile traffic has increased by

44%

STREET RANGER PROJECTS

month-on-month w and the website is no e siv on sp re ile mob

As a result of ongoing concerns with rough sleeping, begging and street drinking that we raised at a local Community Safety Hub meeting, the Street Ranger team took part in a series of coordinated community action days for ‘Operation Zest’ in March.

In conjunction with the Police and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, as well as various support services, the project aims to help identify vulnerabilities, provide information for those with accommodation or treatment needs, work together to find solutions in long-term cases and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. This is a continual approach in reducing the number of ongoing issues within the BID area, with

the Street Ranger team’s consistent participation in future patrols of this kind.

We will also be working more closely with Southend’s homeless charity, HARP. This partnership will continue to address homelessness and rough sleeping in order to decrease numbers, as well as dealing with the accompanying issues that affect the town on a daily basis. Further collaborative projects will be announced soon.

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full time Street Rangers have assisted with almost 400 rough sleeper engagements between Sep and Nov 2016

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