Minutes:
Members of the Partnership had undertaken a range of activities since the last meeting.
Ms Frances Forrest, Your Bromley BID Company informed members that 25 wheelbarrows decorated by school children were currently located in Market Square. Prizes had been presented in various categories, but it had been decided that a ‘People’s Choice’ would also be awarded. Upcoming events included ‘Yoga in the Park’ on 26th July which was in partnership with Mytime Active, and screenings of themed movies in the Queen’s Gardens during 16th – 18th August 2017. Ms Forrest was pleased to report that 38 businesses had signed up to their free recycling scheme with First Mile, and that the next networking event would take place on 25th July 2017 at The Meze, Ringer’s Road.
Ms Kate Miller, The Glades advised members that the shopping centre was currently in a settling down period following its sale, and that year-to-date footfall was -1%. One of the new restaurants located in the Queen’s Gardens had closed, but the other four were trading well. Vacant units in the centre had been hard to fill, but it was hoped that the hard work put in during the first half of the year would come to fruition later in the year. A full car park refurbishment was planned to take place before Christmas, which would see the implementation of new payment machines, barriers and lighting.
Mr Alex Henderson, MSE UK reported that the company was receiving lots of orders, and were frantically looking to recruit people in production and overseas production. Three employees had recently been recruited into technical roles, two of whom lived in the Bromley borough. There were concerns raised regarding another local business which was a recycling plant. Two of Mr Henderson’s staff had been off work recently due to breathing difficulties, and the manager of the site had not produced the dust reports requested. If these failed to materialise he planned to contact the Environment Agency.
Ms Liz Waghorn, Jobcentre Plus advised members that a very successful job fair had taken place at the end of April 2017, involving 35 employers. Around 280 people had attended, 60 of whom had gone on to training or employment. Lewisham Jobcentre would be closing in December 2017, and their clients from the SE1, 2, 3 and 6 postcodes would be allocated to the Bromley Jobcentre. The Eltham Jobcentre would also be closing, with the clients moving to the Woolwich Jobcentre, but a request would be made for those living in the Mottingham postcodes to be directed to the Bromley Jobcentre.
Ms Lesley Holland, LBB Operations Manager – Bromley Education Business Partnership informed members that as part of the Bromley Youth Employment Scheme, a jobs fair would be taking place on 14th July 2017. It was aimed at 16 to 24 year olds, and had been promoted to 6th forms, youth hubs and the Jobcentre. Around 25 employers were due to attend and advertise live job vacancies that they were looking to fill. Further work would take place during the summer to meet with young people from 6th forms to match them with jobs following the fair.
Mr Michael Humphries, Handelsbanken reported that banking remained buoyant. The residential market had seen a cooling off in prices, which could be due to a lack of confidence and uncertainty following the Brexit Referendum. The commercial market saw rents holding up well, but there was still a lack of available space.
Mr Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group said that commercial and serviced office space was currently full with a waiting list, and he was looking to take on further space. Serviced offices and industrial spaces were lacking in the borough and the floorplate of spaces in Bromley town centre were not big enough which had been highlighted in the presentation by Mr John Baker, The John Baker Group at the last meeting of the Partnership.
Ms Terri Johnson, South East London Chamber of Commerce informed members that the next Bromley Link ‘n’ Drink networking event would take place on 27th September 2017 at the Bromley Court Hotel.
Ms Sharon Baldwin, Orpington 1st BID Company reported that the Big O Vintage Festival had taken place on 1st July 2017 which had seen footfall increase in the town centre and a number of businesses reporting that it had been their best trading day. The next big events were the Priory Live which would take place on 12th August 2017 and a food festival in September 2017. The number of vacant units in the town centre was currently low, and rents had gone up significantly which was pricing smaller businesses out of the market. The proposed McCulloch Homes development for 103 new housing units on Homefield Rise had been refused, and it was still to be seen if this would be appealed or the application would be reviewed.
RESOLVED that the updates be noted.