Victoria BID Annual Report 2012/13

2012/13 Victoria Business Improvement District Annual Report

Victoria Business Improvement Distrct 2nd Floor, 14 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QP T 020 3004 0786 F 020 7821 5022 E info@victoriabid.co.uk W www.victoriabid.co.uk

Annual Report

Contents

2012/13 Victoria Business Improvement District

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contents 3

Introduction from the Chairman

5

Introduction from the CEO

6

Safe and Secure

7

Clean and Green

11

Destination Victoria

15

Prosperous Economy

19

Showcase Victoria

23

Financial Information

27

Looking Forward

29

Board Members

30

Victoria BID Boundary

31

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2

In Pictures

Victoria Business Improvement Distrct 2nd Floor, 14 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QP

1. Jasper at work on the Cathedral Piazza

T 020 3004 0786 F 020 7821 5022 E info@victoriabid.co.uk W www.victoriabid.co.uk

2. The Peak 3. Victoria Street at night 4. Yara, Victoria Street Ambassador

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Introduction from the Chairman

Introduction from CEO

The past year has seen Victoria celebrate the arrival of new developments, presenting VBID with an enormous opportunity to act as the catalyst in facilitating effective dialogue between business and partners and helping to shape the future of Victoria.

It also brings a number of challenges as the area embarks on an ambitious programme of redevelopment. Victoria BID will work with partners to mitigate the impact of development, ensuring its business as usual in Victoria. Appointed and funded by local companies, the Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) provides a platform for business to work together on improving the urban environment and positioning Victoria as a desired location for growth and investment.

As Chairman of the Victoria BID, it gives me enormous pleasure to be part of a high profile team of business representatives and the opportunity to be part of this exciting agenda for change. For many, Victoria will always be associated with the railway and coach stations. But as our work goes a long way to show, these two important transport landmarks are but a small part of a much richer urban landscape, home to government departments, hotels, theatres, schools and residents.

The range of projects delivered by the BID really do bring to life the area to the benefit of our business community and I am delighted that the tangible and positive outcomes of our work demonstrates so clearly why Victoria is such a special place for people to work, live and enjoy their leisure time.

Introduction from the Chairman

Introduction from the CEO The Victoria Business Improvement District has been engaged in a wealth of activity over the past year. This wide range of projects delivered has been developed in conjunction with you the businesses, and driven forward by a dedicated BID team.

The established Steering Groups and Board guide both strategic and operational delivery of the BID’s undertakings, and it is these committed business representatives that have been instrumental in ensuring that every project undertaken has achieved positive outcomes. We are ever thankful to our members that contribute their time and resources to support the BID, without whom we would not achieve such great things.

We understand that Victoria is and will be undergoing major transformation over the coming years, which will of course present challenges for our business community but also opportunities which we shall look to benefit from.

We remain committed to delivering a focused and impactful range of projects that will benefit you and your business and which will make Victoria safer, cleaner and greener, economically prosperous and above all a destination of choice for business, visitors and tourists.

Ruth Duston Chief Executive Victoria BID

Tom Foulkes Chairman Victoria BID

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Safe and Secure

Safe and Secure

Safe and Secure The Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) provides a safe and secure platform which supports partnership working between businesses and local law enforcement authorities to enhance business policing within the Victoria footprint. The Victoria BID “Safe & Secure” group defines and strengthens Victoria as a flourishing business district and worldwide tourist destination through a series of unique development initiatives that reduce criminal activity and improve business continuity standards.

The Safe and Secure theme has established a bedrock of business policing initiatives during Year 3 of operation by the resident Business Policing Manager, a highly experienced police sergeant seconded from the Metropolitan Police Service (the first of its kind for British BIDs). The Safe and Secure Theme set a standard that is being adopted as best practice in crime partnerships across the U.K.

Business Continuity

Counter Terrorism

Delivery 1. Business Continuity Management (BCM) Consultancy

Delivery 1. Project Argus

2. BCM Tabletop exercise

3. Explosives Awareness

Output 1. Establishment of a BCM pilot group of 15 businesses to share best practice and improve standards. Incorporated training & auditing

4. Business Policing Marketing Booklet & calling cards

2. Tabletop exercise involving 15 businesses centered on a denial of access scenario Cost 1. £15,288 2. NIL

Fraud Delivery 1. Fraud Awareness Seminar 2. Document Training (Operation Langley) Output 1. Full spectrum of partners from industry delivered awareness training to over 60 businesses 2. 12 Businesses provided with personal document awareness training

In Pictures Police patrol Victoria day and night

7

Cost 1. £1,792 2. NIL

Cost 1. £15,000 2. £300 3. NIL

2. Operation Fairway

Output 1. Business Counter Terrorism (CT) and emergency response awareness program. Delivered to over 60 business representatives 2. Over 15 bespoke CT awareness sessions delivered at business venues 3. Explosives awareness session delivered to 40 business delegates 4. Over 5000 Safe & Secure booklets printed & delivered Cost 1. £710 2. NIL 3. £1,242 4. £2,600

Facewatch Intranet Delivery 1. New Safe & Secure communication portal

Diverted Giving Scheme Delivery 1. Large collection boxes & 30 desk top collection boxes distributed to the community 2. Establishment of new operational rough sleepers meeting 3. Community Awareness Programme Output 1. In excess of £2,000 collected so far and redirected to The Passage day care centre 2. Efficient coordination of enforcement and support resources resulting in reduction of homelessness & ASB by 35% 3. New marketing campaign – Currently producing 10,000 leaflets for provision to The Passage for distribution to residents & commuters Cost 1. NIL 2. NIL 3. £1,500

Output 1. Development and implementation of communication portal – Facewatch 2.0. Over 70 BID members have now registered with a partnership program in place to sign up more businesses

8

Safe and Secure

Association Memberships Delivery 1. Safer Business Award 2. City Security & Resilience Network (CSARN) 3. Purple Flag (ATCM) 4. Victoria Licensee Committee Output 1. Accreditation to operate as an official business crime reduction partnership 2. 55 BID members benefited by attending security networking sessions 3. Reaccredited in November for a further 12 months 4. Quarterly meetings bringing together 38 licensed premises to share best practice in Victoria Cost 1. £490 2. £1,149 3. NIL 4. NIL

Crime Prevention Material Delivery 1. Branded crime prevention prevention merchandise 2. Cycle marking & theft awareness 3. Chelsea clips 4. Crime prevention advice – leafleting & signage 5. 3 mobile display stands

Safe and Secure

3. Over 2,000 Chelsea clips and information bag hangers installed in cafés & bars 4. 5,000 bogus police leaflets handed out via victim profiling. 6 homeless signs erected 5. Branded stands used by police teams for high profile public interaction Cost 1. £27,019 2. £2,000 3. £3,759 4. £1,425 5. £735

Street Pastors

CSAS

Delivery 1. Night time economy patrol team

Delivery 1. Training & Support

Output 1. 12 street pastors working the night time economy in Victoria over weekends. Over 25 vulnerable people supported and over 50 violent incidents diffused

2. Increase Capacity

Cost 1. NIL

Radio Link Police Operations Delivery 1. High Profile Operations 2. Piazza Security Guard 3. Police Equipment Output 1. 4 high profile enforcement action days improving public confidence by 12% in Victoria 2. Security contracted to patrol the piazza 10 hours per day, 7 days per week reducing rough sleeping activity on location by 75% 3. Provision of 10 body harnesses for covert operations & 28 body cameras for police and community use Cost 1. NIL 2. £30, 314 3. £11, 975

Delivery 1. Installation of hardware, battery backup power supply and new antennae 2. Ambassador Link 3. Cross Patching Facility

3. Community Awareness Program Output 1. Self sufficiency with reduction in calls to police by 80% 2. 11 new CSAS security guards currently being vetted, operational in year 4 3. Development of community awareness program, to be launched in year 4 Cost 1. NIL 2. NIL 3. £1,300

Output 1. Resilient network supplying security link between business & police for 164 users 2. Red Cap control contact for 6 Ambassadors for street information support

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3. Cross patching to join up separate radio networks in Westminster during public order events Cost 1. £69,188 2. NIL 3. NIL

Output 1. 35 police crime prevention awareness sessions delivered in high volume public places and within business receptions of large employers

2

2. 10 cycle marking sessions delivered.

Over 1,000 cycles marked

In Pictures 1. Business continuity planning workshop 2. Buckingham Palace Road at night

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Clean and Green

Clean and Green

Clean and Green The BID is taking concrete steps to strengthen the green agenda for Victoria through the installation of green assets, facilitating research on green infrastructure with leading organisations and academic institutions, and reinvigorating spaces such as Westminster Cathedral Piazza.

We continue to work with public and private sector partners to achieve a positive change in the local environment. The project to install new trees in the area last year is one example of how we have enriched green spaces in Victoria. This year we are building on that work by delivering additional green infrastructure assets such as a rain garden at the John Lewis Partnership head office and enriching a planted area outside the Queen’s Gallery for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Environmental Ambassador

1

Delivery 1. A dedicated street based Ambassador reporting environmental issues to Westminster City Council to ensure swift resolution of street based issues Output 1. 1931 issues reported between 1 April 2012 and 31st March 2013, with 91% of all issues resolved Cost £40,000

Cleaning Victoria Delivery 1. A dedicated cleaning team employed to enhance the quality and cleanliness of the streetscape in Victoria

In Pictures

Delivery 1. A dedicated cleaning team to enhance the quality and cleanliness of the Westminster Cathedral Piazza

Delivery 1. To devise and circulate a series of useful information on a range of environmental topics

Output 1. 36 weeks of litter picking and general cleansing by a two person team working 7am to 9.30 pm Monday to Friday

Output 1. 8 factsheets developed

2. 89 visits by a falconer to disperse pigeons with a Harris Hawk

2. 1 seminar on the Carbon Reduction Commitment and reducing carbon emissions delivered Cost £750

Cost

DEFRA research using VBID as a case study Delivery 1. To work in conjunction with DEFRA to complete a piece of valuable research on perceptions of Green Infrastructure (GI)

Victoria BID featured in external publications Delivery 1. To act as a best practice example to other BIDs in London and the UK

Output 1. 148 people took part in 2 mapping exercises in late June

Output 1. Featured articles and case studies in four publications for the Landscape Institute, Natural England, John Lewis and the International Association for Landscape Ecology

Cost

2. 69 people from circa 33 businesses participated in a wellbeing survey

Cost NIL

£43,825

3. 28 organisations interviewed

Output 1. 23 weeks of jet washing and chewing gum removal by a two person team working 10pm to 6am Monday to Friday in a Victoria BID-branded cleaning van 4

Green Exchange

£46,969

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2

Enhancing the Piazza

Cost NIL

1. Cardinal Place as seen from Westminster Cathedral 2. Lunchtime in and around Victoria 3. The Goring Hotel 4. Flowers on Victoria Street

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12

Clean and Green

Clean and Green

Recycling

Bat Monitoring

John Lewis Rain Garden

i-Tree

Delivery 1. To deliver a dedicated recycling scheme to BID members

Delivery 1. To undertake research on bat activity within the area as an indicator of the health of the urban environment.

Delivery 1. To develop an exemplar Rain garden project to be used as a model of best practice

Delivery 1. Delivering a report on the benefits and value of green assets in Victoria

OUTPUT 1. 5 bat detectors installed, maintained and recording bat sequences at 5 sites

OUTPUT 1. Tender package developed including planning application

2. 1 bat seminar held including a tour of St James’ Park with bat detectors

Cost £227 Funding levered in: £10,000 from Natural England £10,000 from the GLA Greening the BIDs Funding

Cost £8,410 Funding levered in: £350 from Neighbourhoods Green

Queen’s Gallery Garden

Sprucing up for Summer cleaning programme

OUTPUT 1. 36 business locations participated in waste clearance or recycling 2. 100,460Kg paper recycled (April 2012 to Feb 2012) 3. 149,690Kg C02 saved as a result of recycling waste (April to Feb) 4. 1,301 trees saved as a result of paper being recycled (April to Feb) 5. 1 ‘Big Clean’ recycling event Cost £8,840

Beekeeping Delivery 1. To deliver a beekeeping programme OUTPUT 1. Bee Collective ‘honey factory’ social enterprise premises refurbished and launched 2. 2 10 week practical beekeeping courses held 3. 6 bee colonies installed 4. 3 seminars/beekeeper networking events held Cost £25,330

Cost £1,708

Wildflower seed packets Delivery 1. To promote the planting of wildflower seeds to generate more forage for at risk bee species OUTPUT 1. 4,000 seed packets were produced and distributed Cost £2,943 Funding levered in: £1,000 from Wicked

Legible London Delivery 1. To improve signage and wayfinding within Victoria OUTPUT 1. Additional mapping layers created in support of Legible London 2. Map pads for Ambassadors to distribute to tourists Cost Funding levered in: £4,750 from TfL

Delivery 1. To develop a best practice retrofit of an existing GI project as a gift from Victoria businesses to the Palace OUTPUT 1. Design package and planning and heritage applications submitted

OUTPUT 1. Final amends to report 2. Designing, printing and distribution 3. Launch event

Delivery 1. A week long campaign to spring clean the area in advance of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations OUTPUT 1. Chewing gum removal in 7 areas

2. Tree protection plan completed

2. 21 stores receive window cleaning

Cost £4,490

Cost £10,913

Hanging basket scoping exercise Delivery 1. Scoping to identify possible locations for hanging baskets to be delivered in 2013/2014 OUTPUT 1. 236 columns assessed within the BID for hanging basket suitability

Green Infrastructure Best Practice Guide Delivery 1. To deliver a best practice report on the delivery of a green infrastructure audit OUTPUT 1. Interviews with 39 people 2. A best practice guide produced for BIDs and partnerships delivered Cost Funding levered in: £15,000 from Natural England

Trees Delivery 1. To deliver a programme of tree planting in Victoria OUTPUT 1. 33 trees planted Cost Funding levered in: £15,180

Green infrastructure Delivery 1. To progress GI projects and investigate their feasibility OUTPUT 1. 1 roof core sampling 2. 1 green roof design 3. London in Bloom registration Cost £4,275

Cost £500

In Pictures Green hoardings on Bridge Place

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Destination Victoria

Destination Victoria

Destination Victoria

In Pictures 1. Festive lights are switched on

Victoria BID’s programme of activity has developed into a robust and vibrant menu of activities ranging from pop-up events, flash mobs and seasonal food markets to special events targeted at the larger corporates and levy payers; all showcasing the area’s culture, history, retail and leisure offer and more.

2. A flashmob-style choir performs at Victoria Place Shopping Centre 3. Setting a Guiness World Record 4. Giuseppe, Victoria Street Ambassador

As well as encouraging the wider community and visitors to engage with the programme through our marketing and public relations activities, we have seen a number of promotional projects take place, which will gain momentum year on year within the BID community. We have sought ways to be creative with the space available to hold events as well as creating a programme which is relevant and interesting to our target audience whist achieving the BID’s core objectives for this strategic theme – Destination Victoria.

At the beginning of the financial year, BID members were keen to see more BID branding throughout the delivery of our events programme with more high profile content and impact. 2012 enabled us to deliver a number of high profile activities to showcase Victoria in the run up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, strengthen the BID brand, increase footfall and generate national PR for Victoria and the BID’s events portfolio.

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Guinness World Record

3. 60 pieces of artwork entered into the competition, 45 displayed at Café Zest

Walking Tours

Delivery 1. Achievement of Guinness World Record, linked to Diamond Jubilee celebrations

4. Comedy nights: 12 comedians performing over 2 nights at The Duke of York pub. 100 attended

Delivery 1. Providing core walking tours programme including Open Squares and Open House

Output 1. Victoria BID set the World Record of the Longest Line of Fanfare Trumpets with 91 trumpeters 2. Campaign result saw 3.5 million exposed to the overall 2012 World Record campaign Cost £15,207

South West 3

Fest

Delivery 1. Teaming with South West Fest community organisation to deliver targeted events in the run up to the Olympics as part of their annual programme of events Output 1. Mural Workshops: 25 children across three different primary schools participated in conjunction with London Early Years Foundation 2. Secrets of SW1 competition: 50 participants took part across 8 workshops

Cost £16,734

Untitled Theatre Delivery 1. Teaming with Untitled Theatre to deliver outdoor performances, flash waltz & community engagement in the run up to the Olympics Output Beast – 2 open air plays: 1. 60 seated across both performances. 200 people engaged over 2 performances Flash Waltz on the Piazza: 2. Engaged with 4 community groupsThe Abbey Centre and its in-house elders group, the Irish Support & Advice Service, Over 60’s Club, and Churchill & Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre 3. 50 participants for the flash waltz.

Approximately 150 people attended Cost £7,613

Output 1. 20 walks organised, attended by 300 people 2. BID Facebook reach: 193 end October, Mid November 504 – December. 249 people engaged on average per week Cost £7,982

Halloween Walks Delivery 1. Providing themed walks targeted only to BID corporates with limited places of 25 per walk Output 1. 42 people attended 2 themed walks 2. 713 Eventbrite email invitation, search placement & monthly newsletter click through 3. 4,355 Cellar Door Facebook Reach.

Cost £3,000

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Destination Victoria

Christmas Switch-on Delivery 1. Annual festive lights switch-on event, featuring St Christina’s Girls Choir Output 1. Installed across 3 retail locations for 5 weeks 2. 32k Christmas flyers distributed to residents in SW1 Cost £4,536

Cocktail Making Team Building Delivery 1. Cocktail master classes hosted and run

by Reunion Bar at Grosvenor Hotel Output 1. 60 attendees across 2 events Cost £1,900

Queen’s Jubilee Lunch Delivery 1. Victoria adaptation of the “Big Lunch” to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Output 1. £650 raised for Veteran’s Aid 2. 100 guests attended the sit down lunch

Destination Victoria

Victoria Street Ambassadors Delivery 1. Delivering an ambassadorial service to the local business, tourist and worker community Output 1. 399,858 unique customer interactions were recorded and 4,356 unique interactions with BID businesses 2. 5 ambassadors in post 7 days per week 3. 300 photos of kiosk customers uploaded via the integrated iPad to Facebook 4. 10,000 social media promotional cards circulated at kiosk 5. Total of 10 ambassadors working during Olympic period (16th July – 9th September) – achieved 116,381 customer interactions during this period Cost £247,260

Eaton Square Concerts Delivery 1. Sponsorship of autumn classical concert programme

Valentines Promotion

Purple Flag Week 2012

Delivery 1. Live ice sculpting

Delivery 1. Promoted the accreditation of Purple Flag in Victoria with New Orleans Jazz Band and cocktail reception for local businesses

2. Experiential marketing activity located at Westminster Cathedral Piazza Output 1. 467 new records obtained to populate the BID contact database 2. BID marketing material circulated with the handing out of red roses Cost £4,156

Easter Food Market Delivery 1. Hosted a local food market in Victoria with seasonal gourmet food to increase footfall into the area

Output 1. 250 promotional packages distributed to businesses 2. 2,000 promotional items distributed to commuters at London Victoria Station 3. 30 attendees from local stakeholders at the closing ceremony hosted at St James Theatre 4. 13 businesses engaged and participated throughout the course of the week Cost £7,865

Output 1. 10 unique food stalls

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2. Footfall was estimated at 2,000 over 2 days Cost £4,360

Output 1. Full page BID advert in the concert programme, circulated to circa 20,000 Cost £5,000

3. Approximately 400 people used the deck chairs and were served by the hog roast throughout the event Cost £22,112

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In Pictures 1. Live ice sculpting on Valentine’s Day 2. Celebrating Purple Flag Week in Victoria

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Prosperous Economy

Prosperous Economy

Prosperous Economy The Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) provides a platform for businesses to work together in order to improve and enhance the Victoria area, by delivering a number of projects to ensure that positive and tangible outcomes are achieved. The BID has continued to champion the revitalisation of Victoria’s economy, encouraging a vibrant and rich mix of businesses that will continue to enhance Victoria as an attractive place to live, work and visit and reinforce SW1 as a destination of choice for new investors. In the domain of urban transformation, Victoria BID has been at the forefront and has managed to make a positive contribution towards the creation of an appealing environment with strong economic growth and investment, improved social well-being for employees and residents and an improved public realm.

The BID is working hard to further establish Victoria as a thriving commercial hub for business developing sustainable models to bolster increased footfall for retailers, development of small business networks and secured inward investment. Victoria is on track to seize opportunities that will consolidate its commercial prosperity for the long haul, safeguarding sources of inward investment and viable opportunities.

Footfall and Sales

Cost £1,700

Delivery 1. Footfall counters and sales reporting 1

Output 1. 5 footfall cameras in operation 2. 24 businesses signed up to the sales index reporting 3. Footfall and sales data recorded, collated and disseminated monthly to businesses

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4. Sales across Victoria increased by 3.2% (based on businesses signed up to sales index reporting) Cost £24,000

Research Delivery 1. Undertaking local research to enhance local knowledge and mitigate impact of development pipeline

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In Pictures 1

1. Shopping at Cardinal Place 2. Boris Bikes on Buckingham Palace Road 3. 62 Buckingham Gate 4. The Victoria Privilege Card is accepted throughout Victoria

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Output 1. Research undertaken to assess impact of demolition of Kingsgate House, identifying an additional £20.75 million per annum available in potential turnover from retailers displaced from Victoria. Circulated to database of BID retailers (200) to inform the local marketing strategy

Privilege card Delivery 1. A discount card scheme providing discounts and offers to local employees and residents Output 1. Privilege card launch event held, 80 attendees (local workers and participating businesses) 2. 10,000 privilege cards distributed across BID area 3. 36 companies participating by placing offers 4. 36 tracking scanners installed at participating businesses 5. Weekly privilege card newsletters circulated to 3,500 registered card holders

Purple Flag Accreditation Delivery 1. To achieve the purple flag accreditation for Victoria Output 1. Purple flag renewal successful.

Accredited until November 2013 Cost £750

Vision for Victoria Delivery 1. BID Vision 2. Victoria Neighbourhood Forum Output 1. Refreshed the BID’s vision & refined future strategic independent and partnership roles of the BID

6. Privilege card scheme has been upgraded (envelope style distribution)

2. Submitted business-led proposal for Victoria Neighbourhood Area designation

Cost £10,000

3. Victoria Neighbourhood Forum application submitted Cost £15,500

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Prosperous Economy

Victoria Employment Scheme Delivery 1. Employment Scheme refreshed 2. Workplace Coordinator Scheme Output 1. Awarded Jobcentre Plus Flexible Support Grant to fund Workplace Coordinator 2. Employment related marketing – 750 service based information leaflets hand delivered to local businesses 3. Engaged with 70 businesses to discuss employment requirements 4. Workplace Coordinator appointed 5. 28 residents placed into employment (75% Westminster residents) 6. 226 Victoria-based job vacancies identified

Prosperous Economy

Corporate Responsibility/ Volunteering Delivery CSR delivery (volunteering and charity support) 1. Intensive work commenced with 3 corporates to support volunteering opportunities

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2. 28 volunteering opportunities identified and marketed to businesses 3. Sponsored gift drop campaign (17 companies hosting gift boxes, 450 gifts collected), 3 local charities supported 4. Financially supported Veterans Aid Christmas Carol Concert 2012 Cost £15,000

7. 41 group sessions delivered covering CV support, application form filling or interview preparation 8. 9 capacity building outreach sessions delivered for community organisations

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9. Support for 50% salary of the Project Worker at the Passage, facilitating 41 vulnerable homeless people into employment 10. I nteraction with 55 new businesses in SW1 to update them about the BIDs employment scheme and generate vacancies Cost £40,815

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In Pictures 1. Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre 2. Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre 3. Newly built St James Theatre 4. Westminster Cathedral by night

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Showcase Victoria

Showcase Victoria

Showcase Victoria The Victoria Business Improvement District (BID) is implementing an ongoing marketing and promotional campaign that showcases the benefits of spending more time discovering all that Victoria has to offer.

The Showcase theme is about changing perceptions of the Victoria area as a place to pass through quickly by working with local, national and international communications and press contacts via targeted outlets as well as selected social networks. Showcasing all that Victoria has to offer will ensure that a wider audience will discover what we already know – that Victoria is a great place to do business and to spend more time in, whether for business or for pleasure. The Showcase theme converges with the Visitor Destination theme so also encompasses promotion of events in Victoria, attracting visitors to the area as a destination.

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Stock Images

Olympics

Merchandise

Delivery 1. Increasing the database of stock images to use online and in print

Delivery 1. Installing on-street Olympic banners

Delivery 1. Circulating a range of BID marketing materials

Output 1. 300 multipurpose photographs added to BID photography database 4

Cost £1,510

Outdoor Advertising Delivery 1. Promoting summer in Victoria on digital escalator advertisements at Victoria Tube Station 2. Launching a marketing campaign to promote the BID’s social media channels on 25 buses for one month

3

Output 1. Twitter followers increased by 63 during the campaign, an increase of 18% 2. 25 buses branded

In Pictures 1. Travel wallets are dropeed in bulk to local employees and distributed at the Visitor Information Kiosk 2. Showcasing our identity at every event

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3. Applied to 2 bus routes, both including Buckingham Palace Road and Victoria Street (each bus appeared on street 15 times per day)

Output 1. Olympic bunting installed at Lower Grosvenor Gardens 2. Total of 20 Olympic banners installed on Buckingham Palace Road/Victoria Street/Palace Street Cost £6,867

Maps Delivery 1. Developing new maps highlighting attractions and businesses within the BID boundary, with a specific focus on open spaces, attractions, transport links and retail opportunities Output 1. 40,000 maps produced. 20,000 distributed since October 2012 via Street Ambassadors

Output 1. Christmas switch-on event: 32,000 Christmas brochures printed and circulated 2. ‘Beast’ play brochures printed and circulated: 1500 3. Jubilee A5 flyers printed and circulated: 3000 4. Artisan 2-day Easter market flyer printed and circulated: 1500 5. Event banners for various events produced: 10 6. 20 flags and flag poles 7. 50 deck chairs 8. 20,000 oyster card holders 9. 1,000 pens 10. 700 canvas carrier bags Cost £3,900

Cost £2,344

Cost £19,535

3. Bus routes C2 and 211 will showcases Victoria for 1 year 4. The BID’s website portal 5. Our new and improved Visitor Information Kiosk fitted with an iPad

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Showcase Victoria

Showcase Victoria

Purple Flag Week

Public Relations

Delivery 1. Celebrating a prosperous night-time economy during Purple Flag Week, 24th to 30th September, promoted by the ATCM

Delivery 1. Promoting all our events, initiatives and achievements via a variety of PR methods

Output 1. Promotional boxes sent directly to businesses containing purple flag merchandise 2. 3000 lapel pins, 20 bunting strings, 20 packets of balloons, 25 flags, 20 bar runners circulated 3. 400 individual chocolates distributed to raise awareness of Purple Flag Week at Cardinal Place market 4. 2000 Purple Flag Week flyers circulated to business 5. Visual materials highlighting and promoting Purple Flag Week were displayed by 3 theatres, 10 public houses, Victoria Station, 3 hotels and the Ambassador kiosk Cost £5,500

Output 1. Between May and October 2012 the BID featured 19 times in various local and national publications Cost £18,861

E-newsletters Delivery 1. Communicating general e-updates to our business community keeping them up to date with all BID news and events Output 1. Circulated by e-mail once a month, the BID has distributed over 30,000 e-newsletters to date Cost NIL

inSW1 Magazine

Delivery 1. Developing local historical resources for Victoria

Delivery 1. Communicating news and information about BID activities to local stakeholders and levy payers via inSW1 magazine

2. 500 copies of the publication in total circulated to BID businesses Cost £13,500

Delivery 1. Creating a brand and identity for the Victoria BID Output 1. Brand guidelines, strategy, strap line and logos 2. New Ambassador uniforms, ties and bowler hats 3. New visitor information kiosk vinyl 4. New uniforms for Piazza cleaners

SW1 Report

Output 1. High profile launch event held for publication – 50 attendees

Branding the Victoria BID

Output 1. The BID distributed 3,000 magazines throughout Victoria in July 2012 Cost £16,740

5. Adobe Creative Software Package 6. Business cards and stationery Cost £12,089

Search traffic, 48% Social referral traffic, 17% Cost NIL

Social Media Delivery 1. Engaging with local businesses and visitors on our social media platform @VictoriaBID facebook.com/victoriabid Output Figures represent period 01/10/2012 – 31/03/2013 1. Total tweets – 1,000 2. Total followers – 485 3. Likes on Facebook – 103

BID Website Delivery 1. Development of a new web portal for the BID Output See ‘The BID Online’

4. Average Facebook weekly reach – 234 Cost NIL

Privilege Card Website

General Marketing Material

Olympics Travel Advice Sessions

Delivery 1. Marketing and promotional material to showcase Victoria to visitors, residents and workers

Delivery 1. TfL/BID-led seminars on Olympic travel

Output 1. Media advertising 2. Corporate video 3. Flyers, brochures, banners and postcards 4. Corporate meeting folders Cost £21,498

Hoardings Delivery 1. The installation and maintenance of green (living) hoardings on Bridge Place Output 1. Covering the railway station service yard (63m) improves the look of the streetscape for pedestrians Cost £16,335

Cost £15,710

Delivery 1. Creating a unique Victoria Privilege Card Scheme website

The BID Online

Output Figures represent period 01/10/2012 – 31/03/2013

Development Pipeline Breakfast Briefings

Delivery 1. Victoria BID website redesigned www.victoriabid.co.uk

1. 4,583 unique visitors to the website

Delivery 1. Maintaining an overview of development activity for local businesses

Output Figures represent period 01/10/2012 – 31/03/2013

Cost £6,800

1. Page views – 26,540 2. Average time on site – 02:52min 3. Page with longest visit time – news & press – 09:18min 4. Direct traffic – 34%

2. Weekly e-bulletins circulated to 3,500 card holders

Output 1. 3 Breakfast Meetings at the Land Securities Marketing Suite, which outlined the development pipeline to local businesses

Output 1. 2 Olympic travel advice sessions held for business 2. Over 60 representatives attended the sessions which were very well received 3. Weekly Olympic update emails sent to business (reach of 750 targeted recipients) 4. Olympic key dates marketing materials produced. 5000 copies printed and circulated Cost £500

‘Stress in the City’ Seminar Delivery 1. Providing seminars on topics of interest to business Output 1. Victoria BID hosted a free ‘Stress in the City’ seminar for local businesses at the St James Theatre. Presenting the seminar was Dr Pixie McKenna of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies 2. 40 representatives from local businesses and organisations attended the seminar Cost £1,000

2. 50 representatives from local businesses and organisations attended the briefings 3. Development pipeline brochure designed and printed - 10,000 circulated Cost NIL

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Financial Information

Financial Information

Profit & Loss Account

Year ended 31 March 2013.

BID Levy £

Voluntary £

Total 2012/13 £

Comparative BID Levy £

Comparative Voluntary £

Comparative Total 2011/12 £

1,214,102

–

1,214,102

–

129,405

129,405

1,418,985

–

1,418,985

–

118,126

118,126

1,214,102

129,405

1,343,507

1,418,985

118,126

1,537,111

Safe and Secure

206,411

7,938

214,349

250,428

–

250,428

Clean and Green Showcase Victoria

226,983

39,030

266,013

182,121

30,500

212,621

247,414

–

247,414

170,647

–

170,647

Destination Victoria

343,313

4,975

348,288

271,315

–

271,315

Prosperous Economy

181,388

2,112

183,500

176,908

–

176,908

1,205,509

54,055

1,259,564

1,051,419

30,500

1,081,919

8,593

75,350

83,943

367,566

87,626

455,192

Core Salaries

110,257

75,000

185,257

70,116

82,946

153,062

Rates

13,412

–

13,412

4,958

–

4,958

Water and Electricity

5,152

–

5,152

2,535

–

2,535

Printing

3,055

–

3,055

654

–

654

Postage and Carriage

8,500

–

8,500

6,654

–

6,654

Telephone

4,009

–

4,009

4,024

–

4,024

Office Stationery

2,919

–

2,919

2,365

–

2,365

Repairs and Maintenance

2,711

–

2,711

3,384

–

3,384

Turnover BID Levy Voluntary Levy and Other Contributions

Cost of sales

Gross profit Administration Expenses

673

–

673

1,694

–

1,694

Audit Fees

4,500

–

4,500

4,500

–

4,500

Office Consumables

5,148

–

5,148

2,273

–

2,273

Cleaning

6,211

–

6,211

2,694

–

2,694

330

–

330

321

–

321

Insurance

4,540

–

4,540

3,842

–

3,842

Subscriptions

1,239

–

1,239

3,221

–

3,221

Legal and Professional Fees

Bank Charges

IT Running Costs

14,231

–

14,231

9,950

–

9,950

Public Realm Development Costs

23,000

–

23,000

24,500

–

24,500

BID development Costs

42,463

351

42,814

41,605

4,680

46,285

BID Levy Collection Fee

28,655

–

28,655

27,854

–

27,854

Depreciation

24,211

–

24,211

3,448

–

3,448

70

–

70

154

–

154

305,284

73,351

380,635

220,746

87,626

308,372

Taxation

27

Surplus brought forward

402,087

255,267

Profit/(Loss) for the year

(296,692)

146,820

Surplus carried forward

105,395

402,087

28

Board Members

Looking forward

Looking forward

We’ve invested all income received from the BID levy solely in our area and thereby help to create a Victoria for business and for pleasure.

As this report clearly demonstrates, the Victoria BID achieved an enormous amount of positive outcomes in 2012/2013. All of our projects were developed based on what you the businesses have asked us to deliver, and with the support of Steering Group and Board members from the business community, we have strengthened our position as one of London’s leading BIDs. We prioritised safety and security last year, and will continue to do so. Our dedicated Police Sergeant linked 164 businesses by radio, distributed 8,000 crime prevention items and delivered numerous seminars, training sessions and crime awareness surgeries that engaged with over 60 businesses.

Projects delivered under the Safe and Secure theme contributed to a 26.5% reduction in crime – making Victoria the safest area in Westminster.

We are constantly working on your behalf to develop a cleaner and greener environment and worked in partnership with Westminster City Council in resolving over 1,900 environmental issues with the help of our dedicated Environmental Ambassador.

We greatly enhanced the appearance of many streets in Victoria with a dedicated night cleansing team and a resident hawker and cleaning team maintained the Westminster Cathedral Piazza. We helped to establish a social enterprise by refurbishing the Bee Collective which now processes locally produced honey by local beekeepers. Our ongoing research and reports, such as the Green Infrastructure Audit, has been groundbreaking and are in the process of being used as a model of best practice for other BIDs and businesses.

Board Members

Our 7 Street Ambassadors continue to work 7 days a week to make Victoria a great destination for tourists and visitors.

Speaking 7 languages, this dedicated team has interacted with over half a million people. Our 12 special events in Victoria engaged just over 100,000 visitors, indicating that Victoria really is becoming a destination of choice.

The Board

We worked hard to shape a prosperous economy in Victoria. We’ve distributed more than 12,000 Privilege Cards which are swiped 300 times every week on average. This has generated over £6,000 in turnover for those businesses taking part. We supported over 150 local people by helping them back into voluntary work, training, full-time employment or one-on-one employment support. We gave 450 presents to charity through Christmas gift drops in Victoria and continue to support 4 local charities.

Paul Green Sainsburys

Tom Foulkes (Chairman)

Victoria BID

Ruth Duston (Chief Executive)

Victoria BID

Nigel Hughes (Vice Chair)

Grosvenor

Martin Kelly (Vice Chair)

Capita Lovejoy

Claudia Binkert

EDF Trading

Antony Smith

House of Fraser

Gary Merrick

John Lewis

David Morgan-Hewitt The Goring Hotel Andrew Mills

Victoria Palace Theatre

Ramesh Costa

Victoria Park Plaza

Colette O’Shea

Land Securities

Lady Lucy French Entertainment Theatres Ltd Luke Shires

Wicked – MMP Ltd

Board Observers Mike Fairmaner

Westminster City Council

Norrie Courts Network Rail Fr Alexander Master

Westminster Cathedral

Finally yet importantly, we ensured that Victoria was showcased in local and national press. We branded 25 London buses, distributed over 50,000 magazines and we continue to send out 5,000 e-newsletters every week.

CI Paul Cahill

Met Police

Paul Rickett

Met Police

Craig Withers

British Transport Police

New offices, shops and homes that will come on stream in the next few years will bring enhanced prospects for the entire area, providing the BID with a key role to maximise these opportunities. Entering our fourth year of operation (2013/14), we have become stronger and more established. In the year ahead we will continue to deliver projects and work with our business community to drive forward real change for the area.

Awards

Mick Clarke The Passage

Purple Flag Accredited Safer Business Award Partners Against Crime (PAC) Guinness World Record Holder

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32