Minutes:
Members of the Partnership had undertaken a range of activities since the last meeting.
Kate Miller (General Manager intu Bromley) was not present at the meeting but provided a written update to the Partnership as follows:
Intu Bromley Shopping Centre:
· In September footfall was down v last year, a pattern that was seen nationally
· Some retailers were still performing very strongly—especially the newer brands in the centre
· The centre was shortlisted for a British Council of Shopping Centres Gold Award for the mall refurbishment, new toilets, baby change and disabled changing facilities. The result of the nomination was due in December 2015
· The centre had recently won an award for its work with the Bromley Dementia Action Alliance—work that was going to continue throughout 2016
· Recent new tenants included Ecco Shoes and Phone Tech. Jack Wills was to open in the next few days. Three new units were due to open before Christmas.
· The Queen’s Gardens restaurant development was continuing to plan. Negotiations were ongoing with a fifth tenant to take the final unit
· The Christmas Grotto was due to open on 16th November
· “Black Friday” was scheduled for Friday 27th November-centre open from 8.00am to 7.00pm
· Extended trading hours would commence from Monday 30th November
Ms Miller was keen to look at opportunities around Sunday trading hours, and requested an update on this.
Dave Freeborn, Proctors, noted that there continued to be a high level of interest in land development in Bromley.
Sharon Baldwin, Manager, Orpington 1st BID Company was pleased to announce that a number of events had recently been held, including the Big O Festival, a charity golf day and the launch of the Orpington 1st Business Programme. She informed the Partnership that the Priory Live Music Festival that took place on the 16th August 2015 had been a great success, was well attended, and ended with a firework display. Orpington celebrated pedal power in the High Street through Orpington 1st’s Cycle Mania event on 20th September 2015. Closed off to motor vehicles, a large part of the High Street was given over to the event, with a number of cycle based attractions for all the family. One of the main attractions was a bike stunt team. The MET Police promoted their “Changing Places Project”; on this occasion cyclists were able to change places with a lorry driver and sit in the cab of a lorry, illustrating visibility limits experienced by lorry drivers.
A photographic competition was run by Orpington Photographic Society, which was also a great success. It was hoped that a display of the entries could be set up at Bromley College. Preparations were being made for Christmas, and for the switching on of the Christmas lights. This was scheduled to take place on the 19th November 2015, when the main road would be closed.
Ms Baldwin continued by informing the Partnership that Pubwatch had been launched in Orpington, and that so far 8 pubs had signed up to the scheme.
Pubwatch was a partnership where licensees unify as an independent group to pre-empt crime and anti-social behaviour in licensed premises. The Pubwatch organization works closely with local authorities and intends to maintain a safe and secure social environment for customers and staff. The MET Police supports Pubwatch, as it works in concert with public safety campaigns, and alcohol awareness initiatives. It was the hope that restaurants would also join the scheme, and that everyone would work together to promote a prosperous and safe night time economy. There were also plans in place to work towards the “Purple Flag” scheme. A new project was also being developed, “Start Up, Step Up and Grow” which was a project to support business start-ups.
In conclusion, Ms Baldwin enlightened the Partnership that the second most common language in Orpington was Chinese and the BID Company would be seeking ways of encouraging more Chinese involvement in the area. It was also noted the Mayor of Bromley had just come back from a visit to China.
Suzanne Sharp (Newsquest) reported that their organisation was moving from its current location to a new location based on the Crayfields Industrial Estate in Orpington. They would be based at the new location from 2nd November 2015. Ms Sharp distributed copies of the “Future Bromley” magazine to all of the Partnership. The magazine was a high quality colour publication, highlighting various issues like business developments in Bromley, regenerating Orpington, the Central Bromley BID, and various news and event items. Copies of the magazine had also gone to Bexley, Greenwich and Dartford, and hand copies had been distributed in the High Street and to Business Centres. Copies had also been sent to the FSB and the South East London Chamber of Commerce. It was estimated that 17,000 e-copies had been distributed. Ms Sharp welcomed suggestions from the Partnership concerning the future content of the publication.
Michael Humphries, Handelsbanken, advised members of the Partnership that Handelsbanken had established an office in the Borough and offered ‘old style’ personal and business banking facilities to residents and businesses located in the BR1 to BR7 and SE6 postcodes. He stated that while other banks were closing branches, his bank was here to stay, and wanted to develop relationship banking.
Mr Chandra Sharma attended the meeting, representing the Federation of Small Businesses. He stated that the FSB were looking to appoint a representative for the Bromley borough. He informed the Partnership that on Tuesday 20th October 2015, there was going to a breakfast and a manifesto launch at a meeting held in Berwick Street in London. 5th December 2015 was “Small Business Saturday”, and it was hoped that regular monthly breakfast meetings would be held in Orpington. Mr Sharma was encouraged by the development of the business centre at Bromley College, which the FSB would be seeking to sponsor. He was also encouraged by the Chancellor’s recent announcement concerning business rates.
Mr Sharma informed the Partnership that the FSB AGM would be held at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on the evening of the 19th October 2015. After the AGM, there would be a talk designed to give UK-based companies tips on how to do business overseas, with a particular focus on the Asian market. The aim would be to show how to succeed in an increasingly global economy, and would also be a good networking opportunity.
Mr Steve Nelson (South East London Chamber of Commerce) appraised the Partnership that the Chamber of Commerce were seeking to develop an online portal for the recruitment of graduates in South East London, and that this would act as an online graduate talent bank.
RESOLVED that the updates be noted.