www.southendbid.com
2018 AND BEYOND
FINAL CONSULTATION
FIVE years on Southend BID was formed in 2013 out of the very successful Southend Town Centre Partnership (STCP). Businesses voted with a firm yes for Southend BID to act on their behalf and expressed a strong desire to work together to ensure that the town centre and seafront make the most of their combined potential and remain ahead of the competition. Five years on and Southend BID has lots to be proud of including an unparalleled annual free events programme, but it cannot rest on its laurels. There is much to be done and it is time once more for the BID to produce its next business plan. It has spent the last few months gathering feedback from you, the businesses of Southend, to establish what your priorities are going forward. This document gives you the chance to see how this feedback is all drawn together and what the business plan is therefore being based upon.
HAVING
YOUR
A BID is a defined geographical area and within it, businesses opt (via a vote) to provide services in that area that they, as a group of businesses, want to have. A BID company has a maximum of five years before it has to ask businesses if they want the BID to continue. There are over 270 BIDs in the UK and counting.
SAY
ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS with individuals to ensure all opinions are heard TWO WORKSHOPS planning the future with a cross-sector of BID businesses RENEWAL QUESTIONNAIRES – 60% response rate PROJECT REVIEWS – event specific feedback for constant improvement MID TERM REVIEW 2015 – to check the BID is on track for delivery ANNUAL SURVEYS – annual business feedback input
www.southendbid.com
@southendbid
Project highlights Of the businesses surveyed, the following numbers really see the importance of these BID-delivered projects:
Future emerging themes • Strategic lead on place shaping
88%
• Encouraging inward investment
83%
• Marketing and promotion to consumers
STREET RANGERS
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS/EVENTS
81%
SEAFRONT FIREWORKS
75%
MAPS & GUIDES
74%
VISITSOUTHEND
74%
CHILDSAFE
• Security and homelessness • Events and festivals including arts/culture • Environment and cleanliness • Transport • Community collaboration with others beyond the BID
69%
BUSINESS CRIME DATABASE
67%
IMPROVED PLANTING
65%
BUSINESS NETWORKING
61%
OUTDOOR CINEMA
60%
THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL
BID 2 renewal Business plan After listening to your feedback, the business plan is now taking great shape. It would seem that you love the work of the BID and are keen to see many of the original projects continue. However, you are also keen that the BID takes a strategic lead on the future direction of the town and seafront areas to maximise prosperity for all.
Potential delivery streams Connect to tourism strategy and work with DMO and others to create an authentic, modern, narrative for Southend – what is the new story we want to tell visitors and who do we want to appeal to? Work with others to forge a vision for Southend to minimise effects of development such as Fossett’s Farm and to encourage inward investment to the centre Create campaigns linking the offer – visit, eat, explore and stay. Don’t do one, do them all
“ There is more to Southend than fish and chips and the sea.”
Raise external awareness of music, arts and culture in Southend Update businesses with news and info that affects the town and seafront areas and their potential trading activities Use online social groups to reach businesses quickly with updates – Whatsapp/Facebook groups, as well as LinkedIn Include information about transport options in all visitor facing marketing, to give them other alternatives to parking in peak times Maintain and enhance family friendly schedule of events over the year Increase awareness of cultural and arts activities in Southend area Provide an on and offline marketing calendar including print, advertising and digital to appeal to our audience Increase Ranger cover during key periods to mirror visitor trends Pop up Ranger posts in key areas i.e. next to stations Create a business planning workshop and marketing calendar so businesses can prepare accordingly Celebrate Southend’s independent businesses Connect with homeless charities to manage this growing challenge for the High Street Maintain streetscapes looking vibrant and appealing Continue Purple Flag support to raise awareness of evening economy Waste collection and litter focus ‘Wow factor’ place signage
Thank you If you have any feedback, do let us know. BID Manager Alison Dewey can be reached at alison@southendbid.com Your BID2 business plan will be with you on 20th September and the ballot will open on 6th October. Information about how to get involved will be sent through over the coming months. Thank you for your continued support.
www.southendbid.com @southendbid