PROMO
What’s happening in our town centres? Darling chats to Be Richmond, Kingston First and Love Wimbledon, three local BIDs - Business Improvement Districts
We find out about some practical steps the BIDs have taken during the pandemic in order to help businesses in the town centre to cope during the Covid crisis and their visions for the future of high street retail as shops face increasing competition from online. Ellen Amorina Storrar, Manager, Be Richmond Be Richmond represents over 300 businesses, including online retailers such as Graze and Not On The High Street. We see a requirement to plan for a new normal where online and physical retail complement each other, not only in light of Covid, but also within prevailing business and leisure trends. We are working with other local stakeholders on a ‘Future Vision for Richmond’ plan, which is an opportunity to shape the way our town centre evolves, whilst still preserving our rich heritage. Short-term projects include additional greening, outdoor seating, a performance space and a mini ‘town square’; others will require more time and external funding.
disinfection of high-traffic touch points in the town centre with anti-Covid-19 viricidal spray.
During the lockdowns, our website has become a vital information hub, with links to Covid-19 resources, information about financial support and a list of local businesses offering online ordering, home delivery and click and collect services. We’ve hosted webinars on mental health and a session on re-opening safely, with free risk assessment templates made available to businesses. The BID continues to fund regular
Retail space is governed by individual landlords, but Be Richmond is funding temporary graphics to improve some of the empty windows. We are also working with Richmond Council to explore how these units could be occupied by pop-up brands or cultural organisations. What’s important is that we love Richmond and want to see the town centre recover and thrive.
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read more at darlingmagazine.co.uk winter 20/21
