I S S U E
01
DECEMBER 08
The newsletter of the Wolverhampton City Centre Company
City Centre Manager’s Kim Gilmour
Update
Welcome to the first issue of City Centre Matters which aims to keep businesses informed about what’s going on in and around Wolverhampton City Centre. As the newly appointed City Centre Manager I have been out and about meeting a lot of people and I have been very encouraged by the support I have received. There are a lot of very dedicated and enthusiastic people working in both the public and private sector to make Wolverhampton City Centre a better place. Our role is to encourage investment in retail and leisure facilities and improve the environment, safety and access through innovative initiatives and working together with a wide range of partners.
St Peters Church, Wolverhampton
I will be engaging with retailers, business and community groups to inform and consult them on City Centre matters and aim to make WCCC ‘The voice of the City Centre’.
Get involved!
Further information is available on the re-launched website www.wolverhamptonccc.co.uk
Do you want your voice heard about City Centre Matters? Would you like to connect with other businesses, the police, council and transport operators?
Our vision
You can by being an Associate Member of the Wolverhampton City Centre Company. We aim to supply you with regular news, consult with you and invite you to events to hear from the people that are in control or can influence what’s happening on the ground.
Our vision is to become a powerful independent voice and lobby to improve the City Centre and we will be working hard over the next few months to develop a meaningful vision, strategy and action plan with partners for the long term growth and sustainability of Wolverhampton City Centre.
We are looking for representation on our three key stakeholder groups.
City Centres are major centres of employment, retail and leisure activity as well as a place to live; they are everyone’s neighbourhood and major transport hubs. WCCC wants to evolve into a fully representative body of all City Centre businesses – retailers, leisure operators, property owners and investors, companies that operate in and around the ring road. We want to engage and involve you in what’s happening and ensure communication, connectivity and collaboration across the wide range of issues that affect the City Centre.
• Business Connectivity – inform, consult and work together to improve prosperity, vitality, viability
Supported by:
• City Centre Promotional Partnership – improving perception and pride, promoting the diversity of the City, encouraging events and marketing initiatives to increase footfall
• Safety & Environment – seek funding to develop new initiatives around personal safety, crime prevention and reduction and improving the City Centre environment. So why not join us and be a part of the renaissance of Wolverhampton City Centre! Contact: Marianne Carter for further information (see back page).
Produced by:
Neighbourhood Policing in Wolverhampton City Centre Neighbourhood Policing was introduced over 3 years ago now and revolves around community engagement and co-operation with partners to address localised problems. There are approximately 15 Police Constables and 8 Police Community Support Officers that make up the team that cover your area and they are there to ensure that the region in which you live and work is a safe and enjoyable place to be. The city centre neighbourhood policing team has a simple ethos of making the city a safer place for people to live, work, visit, shop, and enjoy themselves. This can only be done by working together with our local partners such as licensed premises, local retailers, the City Council and The City Centre Company. Over the past 3 years we have had a remarkable reduction in crime and our ambition is to ensure that this continues with the regeneration and expansion of the city. Sergeant Steve Knight who covers the city centre explains: “The key to our future success in
Calling all mobile phone retailers! Police and partners will be reminding members of the public to keep their valuables safe around the festive season. But you can work with us to help reduce crime this season also! Your local PCSOs can provide you with crime prevention packs to hand out to your customers throughout the season. If you would like to discuss any issues or problems with the team you can contact them on 0845 113 5000 Ext 7871 6334 or you can email them at citycentre@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
fighting crime is in working with other organisations and with the wider community to ensure that we know what the problem is and how it is affecting them.”
Meet your local officers
“Our team should be familiar faces in your area as they work to solve local crime and anti-social behaviour.” Crime levels are currently at an all time low across the West Midlands; however this time of year traditionally sees a rise in incidents associated with anti-social behaviour, burglary and robbery. This is attributed to the onset of the darker nights and the number of annual celebrations that happen at this time of year, including Christmas. Working alongside colleagues and other agencies from across Wolverhampton, we will be running specific operations and initiatives designed to tackle this traditional rise in crime during the darker and festive months. Operations will include extra concentrated patrols, property marking events, crime awareness days and initiatives run with Trading Standards.
Sergeant Steve Knight
Sergeant Knight and his team are always looking at ways to get the local community of businesses, licensed premises and residents more involved with priorities for policing in the area. If you would like to discuss any issues or problems with the team you can contact them on 0845 113 5000 Ext 7871 6334 or you can email them at citycentre@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
www.wolverhamptonccc.co.uk
Acting Sergeant Mark Platt
Stay safe this season Crime across the whole of the West Midlands is falling, however with Christmas fast approaching police from the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing team are urging people to make sure that while they celebrate the festive season they remember to keep themselves, their valuables and their businesses safe. This season is a busy time for everyone, including the opportunistic criminal. The team are seeking your assistance in preventing this type of crime. Acting Sergeant Mark Platt who works for the City Centre Policing team explains: “It is very easy to forget simple security measures throughout the winter season. We will be putting on extra patrols and running various initiatives across the neighbourhood but there are some easy, straightforward safety tips that our community can follow to help keep themselves and their businesses safe.” Shops and licensed premises can be more vulnerable to crime at this time of year. Follow these simple steps to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.
Retailers
Licensed Premises
• Always secure all doors and windows at the close of business.
• Make sure all staff / private areas and storerooms especially cigarette and spirits stores are kept locked at all times. If possible attach an audible alarm to the door.
• Think about positioning of displays. By careful floor planning you can reduce your risk considerably. • Never display small electrical items, games, perfumes and any other easily concealed items near to exits. • Security and shop floor staff should always be extra vigilant. It is important that you not only keep an eye out for shoplifters but also on members of the public who may make themselves vulnerable to crime by leaving their handbags unattended while trying on clothes or hang their bags over pushchairs while shopping. • Staffrooms and stockroom/ warehouse areas should be kept locked at all times. It is also very important that clear signage is visible barring members of the public from restricted areas. • Make sure that your CCTV is in good working order and that the pictures are of good quality.
• Clear, visible signage barring members of the public from restricted areas is very important. • Avoid keeping large amounts of cash on the premises. At least two people should take cash to the bank and always vary the times. • Gaming machines are also vulnerable. If possible remove them to a secure room each night. Don’t fill them up and leave them full over night!
PC Natalie Holt
New Licensing Officer for city Natalie started as the city’s new Licensing Officer earlier this year and will be your contact for all issues regarding licensed premises. Whether it is a pub, club or restaurant, Natalie, Council Licensing and the City Centre Company will work together with employees, organisers and designated premise supervisors (DPS) to ensure that all have a safe and enjoyable visit. Whether you would like to make an application to vary your license throughout the festive period or simply speak to her about some local concerns you may have, Natalie is your contact. “I am very pleased to have been appointed to this role. I am looking forward to working together with local partners who hold licenses to ensure that all visitors who come in to the city to enjoy the night time economy have a safe and pleasant evening.” Natalie is keen to meet local licensees and partners. If you would like to discuss your license, policing of a city centre license, or simply meet the new addition to the city centre team, Natalie can be contacted on 01902 649085 or you can email her at n.holt@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk.
• Make sure the alarm system and any CCTV is in good working order. • Report any suspicious activity to the police. • Discourage members of the public from leaving bags, phones and other vulnerable items unattended.
All Businesses interested in joining the Radio Link Scheme operating across the city centre to provide you the business, Police and the City Council an excellent tool in assisting crime prevention and reduction, offender prosecution as well as recovery of stolen property. Wolverhampton City Centre Company (WCCC) is the Licence Holder of the Radio Link Scheme and works in partnership with West Midlands Police to reduce shoplifting, and antisocial behaviour in a targeted approach to reducing crime in Wolverhampton City Centre If you would like further information on how to join the above scheme please contact Lucy Bickley at the City Centre Company Offices.
www.wolverhamptonccc.co.uk
Wolverhampton Christmas Lights Switch On Market Square Wednesday 26th November 6.30pm onwards Children’s Fun Fair • Beacon Radio • Santa & the Reindeer Parade
Peter Pan
Join the Celebrations 26th November - 20th December There’s plenty of activity planned for the City Centre in the run up to Christmas this year - concerts, entertainment, markets and of course the Christmas Lights Switch On, Fireworks and Santa coming to the City - twice! Further information available from www.wolverhamptoncity.co.uk or call 01902 221155. See also www.wolverhamptonentertains.co.uk
Late Night Shopping Weekday Nights: 15th December to 23rd December - open until 9pm Sundays: December - 10.30am to 4pm
Festive Flair Designer Maker Fair Light House 6th December 10.00am to 3.00pm Gifts and Artwork straight from the designers www.light-house.co.uk
Christmas Market Dudley Street 9th December to 12th December 9.00am - 5pm daily Christmas Gifts & Crafts • Festive Fare • Street Entertainment
Santa’s Coming to Town
Wednesdays: 26th November, 3rd & 10th December - open until 9pm Saturdays:13th & 20th December - open until 7pm
Grand Theatre 6th December to 25th January 2009 Paul Nicholas • The Krankies www.grandtheatre.co.uk
Pipers Row to Queen Square 17th December 6.30pm Parade with 1930’s Fire Engine • Steam Traction Engines Marching Brass Bands • Children’s Fun Fair Firework Display (St Peter’s Square)
Christmas Eve: 24th December - 9.00am to 5.30pm
Open Air Concerts
Christmas Day: 25th December - closed
St Peter’s Square 18th & 19th December 6.30pm Thursday 18.30 - Local Choirs with organists Friday daytime - Children’s Concert
Boxing Day: 26th December - 10.00am to 5.00pm New Year’s Eve: 31st December - 9.00am to 5.30pm New Year’s Day: 1st January - 10.00am to 5.00pm
Market Square Entertainment 19th - 20th December daytime Nativity Scene • Displays • Entertainment • Children’s Fun Fair
Santa’s Grotto Wulfrun Shopping Centre
Tribute to Christmas
Late Night Shopping Launch: Wednesday 26th November - open until 8pm
St Peter’s Square 19th December 6.00pm to 8.00pm Tribute bands including Flamin’ Slade
Then: Monday to Saturday - 11.00am to 5pm
Festival of Brass St Peter’s Square & Market Square 20th December daytime Brass Bands
Late nights - 11.00am - 7.00pm Sundays - 11.00am - 4.00pm
For further information contact: Wolverhampton City Centre Company Tel: 01902 551077 Kim
Lucy
Marianne
Email: wccc@wolverhamptonccc.co.uk or visit: www.wolverhamptonccc.co.uk
Wolverhampton City Centre Company is an independent, proactive organisation working strategically and operationally with partners to identify and address key issues to improve the marketing, environment, safety and economy of the City Centre. Through a Board, an Executive Group, Stakeholder Groups and our Associate Membership Scheme, WCCC works with a large number of private businesses representing the ‘Voice of the City Centre’. WCCC is funded by the public and private sector including Wolverhampton City Council and key organisations like the Mander and Wulfrun Centres, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Boots and the University of Wolverhampton.
www.debutcreate.com d 345 11/08
Kim Gilmour, Lucy Bickley or Marianne Carter