Agenda item

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support gave an update around progress across the main Partnership themes of Town Centre Management and Business support in Quarter 2 2011/12.

In the second Quarter of 2011/12 the Town Centre Management Team had successfully delivered a range of summer events, including the Family Fun weekend in Beckenham and the Orpington Town Fete.  An outreach campaign had been undertaken to encourage increased business donations to Christmas lights across the 4 main town centres in the Borough following a reduction in Council funding.  Responses had been disappointing overall, however submissions to Round 1 of the Outer London Fund had been successful in respect of Bromley, Orpington and Penge Town Centres.  The projects funded would include purchase and installation of Christmas lights and Christmas events and marketing campaigns, and other activities such as support to independent businesses, installation of graphics to empty shop fronts and, a heritage trail for Bromley.  Work to develop the proposal around the possible introduction of a Business Improvement District Scheme (BIDS) in Orpington Town Centre continued, with part of the Outer London Fund funding granted to support BID feasibility and engagement for Orpington.

With regard to the public unrest across London in August 2011, up to 60 businesses in the Borough had suffered some damage or loss, with most of the damage centred on Bromley (particularly Bromley North), Beckenham, Orpington and the Nugent Retail Park.  Town Centre Managers had visited all the businesses in the 4 main town centres across the Borough and had provided support and information to businesses affected by the unrest.  Businesses were being encouraged to apply to the Riot Act Compensation Scheme and the charitable High Street Fund where appropriate.

Future activities for the Town Centre Management Team included the delivery of agreed projects for the Outer London Fund Round 1 and preparation and submission of bids for Round 2 by 14^th November 2011.  Following Councillor authorisation, it was proposed to launch a project to undertake detailed feasibility and business consultation on a potential BIDS for Orpington, working with businesses to develop a business plan and proposal which would be put to ballot during the 2012/13 financial year.  A programme of winter events would be delivered, including Christmas events in the 4 main town centres. 

The Business Support Team had undertaken a wide range of activities including supporting the delivery of the Invest Bromley event and the accompanying brochure, and the publication and promotion of the Explore Bromley Borough electronic visitor map and guide.  Two issues of the Bromley Business E-Bulletin had been published and officers had worked to encourage greater take up of the service.  Work had also been undertaken with Environmental Services and with businesses regarding the Chislehurst road bridge rebuild.

In the third quarter of 2011/12, work would continue on a number of activities delivered in Quarter 2.  In addition, the Business Support Team would work to develop and deliver Outer London Fund business support projects, including a business support scheme in Bromley, Orpington and Penge, an inward investment campaign for Bromley North and shop front improvement grants in Bromley North and Penge.  The new Invest Bromley brochure would be distributed and a further edition of the Bromley Business E-bulletin was planned.

RESOLVED that:

1)  Recent work around Town Centre Management and Business Support in the 2^nd Quarter of 2011/12 be noted;

2)  The plans for Town Centre Management and Business Support activity for the 2^nd Quarter of 2011/12 be noted.