Distinct Darlington
Newsletter
Jan 2017 #32
Making every day a Darlington Day Welcome to the January 2017 edition of our newsletter Issue 32 January is known for reflection and resolutions; the new year starts with celebrating past successes and moves forward with hopes for the year ahead. The start of this year signifies the time we begin to renew the BID for a further 5-year term and we also reflect on the accomplishments of the last 5 years. As Darlington BID, (Distinct Darlington Ltd) we work solely for the benefit of the Darlington town centre businesses, through a variety of projects and initiatives and we’d like to thank our businesses - plus our partners, supporters and the public - for their support over the past five years and we welcome this again, as we approach our renewal ballot.
In this edition of our newsletter, as well as providing more details on our upcoming renewal, we’ll also provide some exciting news on two of our forthcoming events; we review our Festival of Winter Enchantment and celebrate the success of our Christmas edition of our ‘Little Book of Offers!’ We hope that you enjoy reading our newsletter and as always, we welcome your comments, feedback and suggestions. Please get in touch by emailing admin@distinctdarlington.co.uk or telephoning 01325 463002.
Alex, Ruth, Shaun, Martin & Neill
Darlington BID Team
NEW YEAR, NEW BID Darlington town centre has had a BID since 2012, when businesses in the town centre voted by majority in favour of the ‘Distinct Darlington’ BID proposal.
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are business-led initiatives that give local businesses the power to raise their own funds to spend on their priorities and as we begin 2017, eligible ratepayers are being asked to vote to extend the term of Darlington BID for a further 5 years (from 2017 – 2022). A second BID term offers continued investment and a refreshed programme of projects and activities to revitalise Darlington town centre. Our vision is to continue to develop on our first 5 years and create a well-promoted , economically viable, attractive and vibrant town centre. We will deliver this through 6 key objectives: 1. Promote Darlington - to market and promote Darlington as a service centre and shopping destination
2. Access to Darlington - to make access to Darlington town centre hassle-free and with minimum cost to visitors throughout the day 3. Pride in Darlington - maintaining a bright, safe and customer-friendly environment that residents can be proud of and visitors can enjoy
4. Enterprise in Darlington - maximising the opportunities for businesses to save
DARLINGTON CONTENT WITH CHRISTMAS EVENT
Visitors from around the region flocked to Darlington Market Square throughout December, for our first-ever Festival of Winter Enchantment at the Darlington Spiegeltent. Our Christmas event began on Thursday 1 December, within the world-famous ‘Idolize’ Spiegeltent, which had travelled from Holland especially for the event; and ran every day until Christmas Eve. There was a huge amount that took place each day as part of our Festival of Winter Enchantment including festive shopping villages, arts and
on their overheads and benefit from economies of scale
5. Evenings in Darlington - developing the town centre as a friendly environment for people of all ages to enjoy food, drink and entertainment on an evening 6. An Effective Partnership - to continue to build, through the BID, an effective partnership between the town’s businesses, organisations and local authority for the benefit of Darlington town centre
We are also re-branding from ‘Distinct Darlington’ to ‘Darlington BID’. We feel that Darlington BID better reflects who we are and what we do. The new brand offers a more vibrant visual identity that we can carry forward for the next five years and beyond.
Our new business plans have now been circulated to businesses within the BID area. If you’d like a replacement copy, or if you have any questions about the BID renewal please contact us admin@distinctdarlington.co.uk / 01325 463002. crafts activities, music and dance events during the day and on evenings, food and drink, a Santa’s Grotto, free festive films, free present wrapping, plus much more! We are so pleased that our Festival of Winter Enchantment was as successful as we had hoped it would be and it’s because of our Darlington town centre businesses that we were able to provide such an amazing addition to the town centre Christmas activities. Thank you to everyone who was involved in our Festival of Winter Enchantment at the Darlington Spiegeltent! We’d love to hear your feedback on our event, please email us at admin@distinctdarlington.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW... Work done by the BID has helped towards Darlington being the 2nd fastest growing economy in the UK!
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Distinct Darlington
Newsletter
Jan 2017 #32
Making every day a Darlington Day
DARLINGTON FASHION WEEK SET TO RETURN! Darlington Fashion Week, which debuted in April 2016, is set to return for a second time in June 2017!
DISTINCTLY DELICIOUS DATES ANNOUNCED!
The first-ever Darlington Fashion Week event, which took place on Grange Road, was such a success that businesses have called for its return in 2017. Following feedback received from those businesses that were involved
Distinctly Delicious Darlington Festival of Food returns for its fourth year in Darlington town centre on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May 2017, for a weekend full of mouth-watering foodie fun! Join us for the best local artisan food and drink producers, exciting street food, demonstrations by the region’s top chefs, tastings and workshops, hilarious street theatre and the return of the legendary Locomotion Cake Parade. In 2016 we increased the producer market by a third due to popular demand from customers and traders and this year is set to be bigger and better than ever! We’ll update you with more details as soon as we have them but in the meantime if you’d like any further information on our event please email admin@distinctdarlington.co.uk or visit www.darlofoodfest.org
If you’d like any further information please email admin@distinctdarlington.co.uk DID YOU KNOW... that the UK are introducing a new 12-sided £1 coin? Want to know how this might affect businesses? Please visit www.thenewpoundcoin.com for more information.
LITTLE BOOK, BIG SUCCESS… The Christmas edition of our popular ‘Little Book of Offers’ has given a huge financial boost to town centre businesses in Darlington.
The books, which are issued quarterly, contain vouchers for discounts on purchases and services in Darlington town centre and the latest issue, which was available throughout November and December 2016, generated over £20,000 in income for the businesses featured. The books contain 28 discounts and promotional offers that can be redeemed in independent stores and high street giants within Darlington town centre. Offers in the Christmas edition included 50% off your food bill at Pizza Express on Skinnergate, 10% off hampers at The Black Olive on Grange Road and 15% off full price items at Bliss Gifts on Duke Street. Create and Paint on Skinnergate, offered a voucher for £5 when spending over £35 in-store, whilst Mangobean at Feethams gave voucher holders a free coffee with any purchase.
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last year, the decision has been taken to push the date back from April to June. 23 Darlington businesses took part in Darlington Fashion Week 2016, with many more supporting the activities leading up to the spectacular catwalk finale. Footfall increased by a massive 7% on the day of the event and many businesses in the area reported higher than average trade for that day. With the continued support of the businesses we will endeavour to make this event even better than 2016! We look forward to bringing you more details very soon.
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The next ‘Little Book of Offers’ will be available throughout February and March and contains great deals from businesses such as Three Squares Café, on Skinnergate, who are offering a full English breakfast with toast and a mug of tea or coffee for £5 and Number One Bar, also on Skinnergate, who are offering a free hot drink with any slice of cake or sandwich. Bon Marche in the Cornmill, have 20% off when you spend £25 or more and New Look, also in the Cornmill, are featuring their popular ‘spend £35 get £5 off/spend £50 get £10 off’ offer. The books will be available from 1 February and can be picked up from participating businesses, as well as available to download on our website www.distinctdarlington.co.uk/ downloads
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