Agenda item

Martin Pinnell, LBB Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support gave an update on progress across the main Partnership themes of Town Centre Management and Business Support in Quarter 4 2011/12.

In Quarter 4 2011/12, the main priorities of the Town Centre Management and Business Support Service had been the delivery, monitoring and administration for the Outer London Fund Round 1 projects and developing the Business Improvement District project for Orpington.  Outer London Fund Round 1 Bids for Bromley Orpington and Penge had been successful and the projects funded included the creation of ‘Are You Bromley’ a Bromley Town Centre brand, installation of graphics to empty shop fronts, support to independent businesses which included a programme of free workshops and a subsidised mentoring programme and the updating of the Heritage Trail for Bromley which had been launched on 31^st March 2012. 

Work had also been undertaken to prepare a programme of town centre events and activities for 2012/13, including a major event to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Bromley Town Centre and smaller events on the same theme in other town centres across the Borough.  A further edition of the Bromley Business E-Bulletin was being developed and an updated version of the online ‘A to Z Guide of Services for Business’ had been published and was being promoted in partnership with the News Shopper.  The Town Centre Management Team had also maintained regular communications with businesses across the Borough through newsletters and e-mail updates and had contributed to town centre initiatives including the Bromley North Village project.

Future activities for the Town Centre Management and Business Support Service included continued work on the Outer London Fund Round 1 and 2 projects, delivery of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee events and preparation for Olympics and Big Dance linked events in various town centres during Summer 2012.  Consultation and feasibility work would continue on the Orpington BID work, working with businesses to develop a business plan and proposal which would be put to a ballot during the 2012/13 financial year.  The operation and location of town centre markets would also be reviewed, and Bromley Charter market would shortly be moving to a town centre location.  Work would also be undertaken on a programme of improvement for smaller shopping parades. 

Peter Pledger, representing South London Business, underlined the value of the practical workshops that had been delivered to SME businesses as part of the Outer London Fund Round 1 funded projects, which had included individual mentoring to businesses and a mystery shopping service.  In response to a question from a member of the Partnership, the Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support confirmed that the main role of the Council was to ensure that the Olympic Torch Relay had a safe passage through the Borough on 23^rd July 2012.  However, Town Centre Managers were in discussions with local businesses around the potential to deliver some events associated with the Torch.  Sam Parrett, representing Bromley College, noted that free Olympic tickets had been provided to children and young people across the Borough and that there was an opportunity to engage with children and young people as part of these events.  In considering the Bromley Business E-Bulletin, the Vice-Chairman suggested that a link to the E-Bulletin be placed on the South East London Chamber of Commerce website.

RESOLVED that:

1)  Recent work around Town Centre Management and Business Support in the 4^th Quarter of 2011/12 be noted; and

2)  The plans for Town Centre Management and Business Support activity for the 1^st Quarter of 2012/13 be noted.