Minutes:
Ms Kate Miller, General Manager, intu Bromley, reported that it had been a hard quarter for the shopping centre with footfall down 3% on the same period last year, although there was a similar pattern across the South East. Despite this, new tenants had been reporting good sales figures. Additional new tenants Sole Trader, Sketch, Kuoni and DFS would be opening soon. The Queens Garden Restaurant Terrace was due to open at the start of July 2016, and would start recruitment shortly.
The Partnership was advised that Frances Forrest had been appointed as the Bromley BID Manager. The BID advisory group would be meeting on a quarterly basis. There was still capacity for a couple of smaller businesses to join and Members of the Partnership were asked to register their interest via Ms Miller.
Mr Adam Smith, Mytime Active, informed the group that they had experienced a mixed quarter with soft play admissions up by 10%-11% and memberships increasing, but swimming admissions were down by 5%-6%. Over the next six months there would be a delivery phase of the planned improvements, and a feasibility study of the Orpington Golf Centre site and potential opportunities would be carried out.
Ms Liz Waghorn, Jobcentre Plus, reported the latest figures to the end of February 2016. There had been a decrease in the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance to 2,075 creating a 20% reduction in unemployment on the same time last year. The 18-24 year old category had also seen a decrease of 38.9%, which was encouraging. The main focus was continuing to be the 50+ category, which filled 29.2% of the total register.
Another area of focus was Employment Support Allowance with 8,400 claimants. A Disability Confident Event had taken place in February 2016, and as a result 34 businesses had made pledges which were being followed up. A job fair had also been held in partnership with the London Borough of Bromley, with 20 businesses and 100 people attending. A number of attendees had been offered work experience and jobs following the event.
Mr Steve Nelson, South East London Chamber of Commerce, advised the Partnership that the Chamber was planning breakfast meetings for the year ahead. The Talent Bank was progressing well, with the main partner announced as Peabody, and was due to launch in September 2016.
Mr Dave Freeborn, Proctors, informed the group that rents and house prices were at an all time high, although there were signs of these slowing down. They had also seen an increase in the number of people registering land interest.
Mr Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group, agreed with the statements made by Mr Freeborn, however the commercial market had taken a slight step back with regards to short term lets and serviced office space.
Mr Michael Humphries, Handelsbanken, reported that the company was currently doing well, although confidence was fragile and political issues meant a lot was being put on hold. There had been a burst of activity in the first quarter of 2016, before implications of the 1st April 2016.
Mr Chandra Sharma attended the meeting representing the Federation of Small Business, and was pleased to inform the group that they had seen a rise in memberships. Currently they were working in town centre on cyber security issues, and campaigning against the proposed closure of the Post Office in Beckenham.
Mr David Warnes, Bromley College of Further and Higher Education, advised the Partnership that the College would complete the Government’s Area Review process on 27th April 2016. Having already merged with Greenwich Community College, a further merge with Bexley College was to take place on 1st August 2016, which would allow the College to become a specialist in specific areas.
The Chairman offered his thanks to Mr Warnes for hosting the Partnership meeting at the Bromley College Innovation Centre.
RESOLVED that the updates be noted.