RTW Together - Annual report 21/22

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOGETHER

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

ABOUTTHE RTW TOGETHER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IS A NOT-FORPROFIT ORGANISATION THAT IS FUNDED BY, AND REPRESENTS, BUSINESSES IN ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOWN CENTRE.

The Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area of Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre - businesses within this footprint contribute an annual levy based on the rateable value of their premises. RTW Together manages these collective funds to carry out projects, marketing campaigns and events to improve trading conditions within the town centre.

The BID works to deliver projects that increase footfall, improve the trading environment and promote the area, providing services such as the town centre’s Christmas lights, wayfinding, business training, events and marketing campaigns.

The BID and its operations are managed by the BID Director, whilst a board of voluntary Directors oversee the work of the BID team. The board is comprised of business representatives who

fairly represent various sectors across the town centre. The BID was formed in 2019 after a yes! vote from local businesses and currently stands to run until 2024. There are over 300 BIDs across the country, and more locally, Maidstone and Canterbury both have Business Improvement Districts.

WEBSITE www.rtwtogether.com SOCIAL MEDIA @rtwtogether

LETTER FROM THE BID DIRECTOR

SARAH-JANE ADAMS

RECOVERY, RESETTING AND RESILIENCE ARE THE THEMES THAT HAVE CARRIED TOWN CENTRE BUSINESSES THROUGH SUCH A DIFFICULT COUPLE OF YEARS. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THE BID IS ESTABLISHING A STRONG COMMUNITY TO MAKE OUR TOWN BETTER, TOGETHER.

During my first year in post as BID Director, I’ve been pleased to see just how many businesses within the BID area have stepped forward to support not only us and our aims, but each other, as we all move on from the uncertainty of the past couple of years. The strength of community that we now feel from our core group of engaged levy payers allows us to ensure we’re delivering what you want to see.

If you have yet to really become a part of our projects and campaigns, I’d very much encourage you to step forward and have your voice heard, as well as claim the free publicity and business help that we can offer - all levy paying businesses are eligible to get involved and take advantage of the training, advertising and support we can provide, as well as forging relationships as part of a stronger group with your fellow town centre business owners and employees.

The period of July 2021 – July 2022 has been a busy one for the BID. We established a new approach to engaging with businesses, as well as an

overhauled social media presence, a new programme of free business training, and the launch of our town centre magazine. We also introduced two exciting new events, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Cake Off to support our hospitality sector, and Art Week, showcasing the abundance of creativity in our area. Local businesses were featured in

But we’re not stopping there - 2022-2023 looks set to be our most productive yet. Make sure you’re part of it - contact me any time at biddirector@rtwtogether. com, join our friendly Whatsapp group chat on 07808646758, or follow us on Instagram or Twitter at @rtwtogether

three promotional videos, a short Christmas lights film, spring music video, and two-part Cakeumentary. This year, we’re extending our Christmas lights scheme for the second year running, making the town centre even more magical during the festive season.

“A STRONG COMMUNITY TO MAKE OUR TOWN BETTER, TOGETHER.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PAM LOCH, CHAIR

Managing Director, Loch Associates Mount Ephraim

PETER ALLINSON

Owner, Whirligig Toys Mount Pleasant Rd

ALEX GREIG, VICE CHAIR

Owner, Fuggles Beer Café and Fuggles Bottle Shop Grosvenor Rd and Camden Rd

CLAUDIA WIEGAND

Owner, Glass by Claudia Monson Rd

RICHARD SIMM

Director, The Forum The Common

Executive Director, Trinity Theatre Lonsdale Gardens

GAVIN TYLER

Managing Partner, Cripps Mount Ephraim

CLLR JUSTINE RUTLAND

TWBC-appointed representative Cabinet member for Tunbridge Wells town

ALEX GREEN

LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RTW TOGETHER

AS BUSINESS OWNERS AND LEVY PAYERS OURSELVES, WE WANT TO SEE THE SAME THINGS FROM THE BID THAT YOU DO - RETURN ON OUR CONTRIBUTION, POSITIVE EFFECTS ON OUR TRADING AND A TANGIBLE AND QUANTIFIABLE DIFFERENCE TO OUR TOWN CENTRE.

We all want a thriving hub from which to operate, but also to attract new talent. Like you, we want to recruit the best people to fill our roles, and promoting Royal Tunbridge Wells as an attractive place to live and work is an important factor. We also want to see our streets, and by extension our own premises, bustling with both local residents and visitors alike, to see our restaurants and cafes booked, our retail tills ringing, and corporate offices full with workers once again.

As a board, we represent a variety of different sectors, such as retail, hospitality, legal services and leisure, and each member has a unique insight into what it means to trade in a certain geographic area. Together, we inform the work of the BID, and represent the levy payers as a whole, of which we have nearly 700 contributing businesses. We aspire to keep the BID accountable to the promises it makes, oversee the necessary and important governance of the organisation, and ensure its processes are transparent. As a body, we are keen to increase the involvement of levy payers in our board decisions moving forward, and will be consulting with

you widely in the coming months to hear what you’d like us to make happen on your behalf.

Supporting the BID Director, we volunteer to carry out these roles because we care about the town centre where we have built livelihoods of our own. We want to share the knowledge we have all gained, as individual entrepreneurs, as a group of board members, and as a Business Improvement District as a whole.

We are pleased to have recently elected Pam Loch, of Loch Associates, as the new Chair of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together. An employment law solicitor for over 20 years, and Managing Director of her own company since 2007, Pam has a wealth of experience to guide the BID into a new period of activity. One of Pam’s many strengths will be encouraging the BID to carry out projects that benefit corporate, service and officebased businesses, providing more inclusion of companies who fall outside of the more traditional

retail and hospitality premises that are most obviously associated with town centre spaces. We welcome her warmly to the role, and encourage you to get to know both her as Chair, and ourselves as board members, as your voice on the BID board.

PROJECTS

JULY 2021-JULY 2022

In the first year of Sarah-Jane’s role as BID Director, and the third year of the RTW Together’s first term, RTW Together delivered a new programme of projects, raised the visibility of the BID and its work, and engaged with businesses to previously unseen levels.

In this Annual Report, we’re covering a few of the ways we boosted footfall, improved the look of the town centre, and promoted local businesses over the past few months - all made possible by you.

PICTURED: PROMOTING THE JUBILEE CAKE OFF EVENT IN ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE SHOPPING CENTRE

PROJECTS

TOWN CENTRE MAGAZINE

RTW Together launched a popular quarterly town centre magazine this year, designed to showcase businesses for free, with professional editorial and photography.

Distributed in 15k copies of the Times of Tunbridge Wells newspaper, delivered into town centre businesses and available to pick up for free at stockists across the town centre, the publication is attracting a keen readership of visitors, workers and residents. The summer issue will be delivered to 10k local homes for the first time.

Alongside free features in the print edition, we also offer full page adverts with the digital version, without charge.

FIND OUT MORE: www.rtwtogether.com/ magazine

PROJECTS CHRISTMAS DOOR BOWS

2021 saw the return of the BID’s popular fabric door bow giveaway, gifting businesses a free entranceway decoration to get wrapped up for Christmas. The scheme will be back and bigger than ever for the festive season of 2022.

OVER 75 DOOR BOWS WERE GIVEN AWAY IN 2021, RAISING MONEY FROM DONATIONS FOR THE ONCE UPON A WISH CHILDREN’S BALL. IN 2022, WE WANT TO SEE AS MANY DOORS DECORATED AS POSSIBLE!

“My beautiful Christmas door bow made the shop look even more festive and attractive! Many new visitors noticed it from a distance and popped in to browse, then came out with glass goodies. All my usual customers commented on how lovely it was and that it was such a great idea! Thank you RTW Together!”

GLASS BY CLAUDIA

CLAUDIA,

PROJECTS ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS CAKE OFF

Designed to support the town centre’s hospitality sector while celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off is the concept of the RTW Together Business Improvement District.

Taking place on Saturday 4th June, on The Pantiles, members of the public sampled a variety of free ‘royal themed’ cakes, and voted for their favourite in their droves, with hosting from KMFM and live music and free face painting. Taste Wells were the cream of the crop by only ONE VOTE, narrowly beating second place rivals The Zero Waste Company, Pantiles.

What are we cooking up for Cake Off 2023? Watch this plate!

“It’s just been great to take part, alongside so many other businesses, it’s just brilliant – hopefully it’ll be something we can do on an annual basis, it’s good for the town, and for independent retailers.”

BETTS, TASTE WELLS, ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE

SARAH

PROJECTS PROMOTING

HOSPITALITY

Complementing the Royal Tunbridge Wells Cake Off, RTW Together produced a special brochure and ran a social media campaign, highlighting the many delicious places to stop for coffee and cake across our town centre. 1k copies of the booklet were handed out to the public in Royal Victoria Place shopping centre and The Pantiles. A number of hospitality businesses also featured in our two part Cakeumentary videos, sharing their thoughts on what would make a winning Cake Off entry.

Want to see your business advertised for free?

Contact biddirector@ rtwtogether.com

PROJECTS

PROMOTIONAL SHORT FILMS

The BID has commissioned three professional short films so far during 2021-2022, to showcase our town centre, and offer business owners and staff the opportunity to appear on the small screen!

Both our Christmas video, highlighting the fact that businesses fund the town centre’s Christmas lights, and our spring offering, April Showers, achieved over 3k views each.

June also saw us create a two part ‘Cakeumentary’, following the contestants of our Jubilee Cake Off event.

You can view our films at www. rtwtogether .com, and participation is free - email biddirector@ rtwtogether.com

PROJECTS

FREE FIRST AID CLASSES

The RTW Together Business Improvement District has offered town centre businesses the chance to save money on saving a life with a series of free Emergency First Aid at Work training days. With space for 84 employees and counting, the training is professionally delivered and includes certification for those taking part.

The Highfield Level 3 Award is usually worth £95 per attendee. The syllabus covered aspects such as unconscious casualties, CPR, choking, bleeding, shock and more minor injuries.

“Thanks for organising the First Aid course - I sent someone from each of my pubs yesterday and they found it very helpful. For me it has ticked something important off my list (and for free!)” Rich, The Ragged Trousers

PROJECTS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Together supplies and funds the Christmas lights scheme for the town centre, having taken over the provision of the lights in 2020.

2021 saw the second year of the display, including a new reindeer sculpture in Calverley Square, new lights for Chapel Place and additional columns added to Camden Road.

For 2022, we hope to supply lighting to The Pantiles, Royal Victoria Place shopping centre and Castle Street for the first time, as well as investing in new elements for Calverley Road and the Fiveways area.

This year we’ll be producing lights-related switch on events around the town

PROJECTS

REMEMBRANCE DISPLAY, CALVERLEY PRECINCT

The RTW Together Business Improvement District counted down to the period of Remembrance for 2021 with a large-scale display in Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre. The BID dressed the clock tower in Calverley Precinct in a striking collection of artificial poppies and autumnal foliage, cascading down the legs and onto the base of the landmark.

PROJECTS

EVENT

GRANTS

To attract visitors, increase footfall and promote Royal Tunbridge Wells to a wider audience, RTW Together provides event grant funding to selected activities.

Events that we financially support must benefit the town centre and its traders, and must use town centre suppliers or provide them with opportunities to take part. Here are just some of the events that RTW Together has helped to make happen this year: the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival, Pantiles Food Festival, Puppetry Festival’s Museum of the Moon, Unfest, Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival, Pantiles Antiques Fair, Tunbridge Wells Mela, Denny’s Fest and Local & Live.

“The first ever Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival took place alongside the opening of the new Amelia Scott cultural and community centre, across the Bank Holiday weekend of 29th April – 2 May. The hugely successful event received a maximum grant from RTWT that helped give the festival great visibility. The BID grant process was quick, easy and efficient, and under the guidance of Sarah-Jane, the businesses were supportive of the aims, and provided an excellent partnership. The grant has helped the town create an annual event that should become as popular as the much loved jazz, food and gin festivals!”

CAROLE WINTER, TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL

PROJECTS

TOURIST MAP

Illustrated by local artist Elaine Gill, the BID commissioned a town centre map, with information about things to see and do across the town centre.

Free stock of the map and holders were made available to businesses, which have been flying off the shelves.

A reprint and refresh of information is underway for summer 2022, including an exclusive version specifically covering the Amelia Scott cultural hub and the history of Monson Road.

“With a significant number of our customers coming to Tunbridge Wells from outside the town, we’re often called upon to give local guidance - the RTW Together maps give a real focus to both the occasional town visitor, and also those seeking inspiration.”

Charlie, The Massage Company

PROJECTS FREE SELF DEFENCE CLASSES

The RTW Together BID provided over 200 male and female town centre workers the chance to attend a free professional, one hour self defence class, instructed by Surge Self Defence. We also gifted a free personal alarm to attendees.

The session covered topics and physical elements such as being grabbed from behind and evading the hold, being grabbed by the wrist, escaping a chokehold, knife defence, mugging, being followed, how what we carry can be used as a defensive weapon and the legality of self defence.

200+ WORKERS ATTENDED

Sessions were provided in communal groups and also delivered directly into workplaces, such as offices.

“I loved the free self defense class, the trainer was serious but fun and it was great to be in a group of women who experience similar risks in the local area. I feel more confident now if I have to work or walk alone, especially in the dark.”

HANNAH, THE PLANT BASE

PROJECTS SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

To mark the new year, the BID created a campaign featuring 22 businesses for the first 22 days of 2022. Following its success, the BID ran a new social media message, asking town centre businesses what they love about Royal Tunbridge Wells. These posts were then published daily in the run up to Valentine’s Day. Appearing on our highly engaged social media platforms is free, with professional photography included. Join our Whatsapp group to find out more: 07808 646758

PROJECTS

FREE MONEY-SAVING STREET SCENE IMPROVEMENTS

CONSULTANCY

RTW Together offered free support to businesses through appointments with Place Support Partnership, to review and assess bills and outgoings, and identify potential savings to reduce costs.

Many businesses were able to make a difference to their bills.

Your RTW Together BID works on projects to improve the aesthetic appeal of town centre areas, such as partnering with TWBC to provide popular parklets to the High Street. In 2022, we have just completed the installation of footfall counters, which will provide stakeholders with key visitor data, and are working with consultants to identify key projects which can be carried, with a particular focus on the top end of the town centre.

STOPTOPPS ANTIDRINK SPIKING

RTW Together has funded anti-drink spiking foils for NTE and hospitality venues. This has been partnered with free drink spiking awareness training for pub and club staff.

PROMOTING THE TOWN PRESS COVERAGE

Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District works to promote the town centre as a destination for locals and tourists, as well as achieving publicity for the businesses that trade here.

This year, the BID, and the businesses we represent, have regularly featured in The Times Of Tunbridge Wells, SO Magazine, The Kent Messenger, Kent Online, Inside Kent Magazine, The Courier, Index Digital and My Tunbridge Wells, as well as being heard on air with KMFM, Heart Kent and West Kent Radio.

BUSINESS FEEDBACK

The BID has been a breath of fresh air in a town in need of a boost - to have a contact like Sarah-Jane who passionately cares about our business as much as we do is vital. The BID has made each business feel important and acknowledged our contribution to the town.

STORM, DENNY’S PLACE BARBERS, GROSVENOR ROAD

Being part of the BID has allowed Walsh Bros to contribute and benefit from the support offered. We have enjoyed participating in the Christmas video, Valentine’s Day promotions and the ‘RTW Together’ publication, which have all promoted Walsh Bros and brought us new business! We’re looking forward to working with the BID going forward and participating in new and exciting initiatives! Keep up your amazing work.

ALEXIA, WALSH BROS, MOUNT PLEASANT

Congratulations for your brilliant work. You are full of fresh ideas that are giving a new pulse to Tunbridge Wells promotion as a town. I am very impressed by your determination to achieve results, which I understand could not be easy with such a large number of independent businesses.

MARIA, IL VESUVIO, CAMDEN ROAD

We’ve had a great year working with RTWT – the BID has been incredibly useful not only as we run our Hotel, but in promoting our events, markets and summer season. We’ve worked really closely with RTWT on the excellent Cake Off, which was immensely popular, new and different. Social media, films and promotions are all part of what needs to be done to promote Tunbridge Wells not only as a great place to live but as a fantastic place to visit. Well done Sarah-Jane and all at RTWT, keep up the good work!

JULIAN, THE TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOTEL THE PANTILES

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Together is helping support our local businesses to make the town a vibrant place for visitors from near and far. The town is growing as a foodie and independent shopping destination with the BID contributing to this growing reputation.

SARAH-LOUISE, VISIT TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Thank you to Sarah-Jane for arranging the First Aid courses. We are all incredibly busy and things like First Aid courses can fall off the radar as other jobs tend to command more attention. In addition, having these funded by the BID goes towards seeing value from the levy.

MATTHEW, SANKEY’S

We’re super excited to be involved in Art Week, it’s a fantastic idea to be able to provide people with the opportunity to learn something new, discover a new talent, and do that through businesses in the town centre.

PHIL, THE COVE

Working with the BID has been very beneficial to us as a business. We have found dealing with Sarah-Jane very easy and pleasant. Printing ‘local’ work and having the magazines on the counter in the shop has also given us an easy ‘conversation starter’ with other business owners who come into our shop and look at the magazine whilst they are waiting.

GRAHAM, KALL KWIK

FINANCIAL REPORT

APRIL 2021-APRIL 2022

Each year the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Board of Directors approves an annual budget to take forward the business plan for the year ahead. Annual audited accounts are produced and are available to BID levy payers on request, or downloadable from the Companies House website. The following is a summary for the 2021/22 financial year.

EXPENDITURE

Better Town £73,174 (16%) Accessibility £877 (<1%) Events £65,140 (14%) Promo £66,319 (14%) Admin £12,742 (3%) Overheads £73,723 (16%) Contingency £50,000 (11%)** Surplus £124,456 (27%)

TOTAL EXPENDITURE £466,431*

*Excludes unspent contingency and budget surplus **BIDs are required to budget a minimum 5% contingency

Income is derived mainly from the BID levy payable by the BID members for the year to March 31st, together with other contributions from landowners, and excludes Value Added Tax. All income received is wholly applied in furtherance of the BID objectives.

INCOME

Bid Levy £366,794 Govt Grant £84,552 Donations £85 TWBC £15,000

TOTAL INCOME £466,431

WEBSITE: www.rtwtogether.com / SOCIAL MEDIA : @rtwtogether / BID WHATSAPP: 07808 646 758

WE ARE ALL THE BID

THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IS A COMMUNITY - WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT, ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION. HERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST:

We operate a friendly WhatsApp group chat for all genres of business within Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre. If you would like to network with our business community, and hear the latest opportunities and news from RTW Together, contact us to be added: 07808646758

Sign up to our monthly email newsletter at www.rtwtogether.com

We also host a monthly video call catch up for town centre businesses - keep up to date with the work of the BID, hear relevant information from guest speakers, and offer suggestions on town centre improvements and get involved in our projects. So far this year, business owners have heard briefings from the developers of the former cinema site, the team of the Amelia Scott cultural hub, the TN Card and the Town Forum. Can’t attend? Watch meetings back on our Youtube channel.

biddirector@rtwtogether.com

TOGETHER.