Minutes:
Members of the Partnership had undertaken a range of activities since the last meeting.
Ms Kate Miller, The Glades was not present at the meeting, but provided a written update to the Partnership as follows:
· Footfall in the centre for September 2017 was -1% compared to September 2016. Year to date footfall was +2.5% on 2016.
· Although lettings had been slow earlier on in the year, it was hoped that three or four new units would open before Christmas.
· The centre had been working in partnership with Your Bromley on larger events such as Halloween and the Open Air Cinema.
· The Poppy Appeal for the south east region would be launched in centre on 28th October 2017.
· The town centre Christmas lights switch-on would take place on 19th November 2017, run by Your Bromley BID Company and supported by The Glades.
· The Glades Christmas Grotto would open on 25th November 2017.
· Extended Christmas trading hours would start on 11th December 2017, with shops opening until 9.00pm, Monday to Saturday. This was later than in 2016, when extended trading had started on 1st December.
Mr Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group said that commercial and serviced office space was currently full. They were trying to acquire another building as they were still receiving a large number of enquiries and large, quality spaces were still needed.
Ms Melanie Ross, Barclays Bank PLC reported that clients were currently struggling to find commercial property to buy or let. There had also been a recent trend of commercial valuations being lower than expected.
Ms Sharon Baldwin, Orpington 1st BID Company advised members that there main focus was currently the ballot for the renewal of the BID. Businesses had been provided with ballot papers and had until 2nd November 2017 to register their vote. They had met with 150 businesses who appeared happy to vote yes to the BID operating for a further five years, but the challenge was to get them to actually complete the form. The outcome of the ballot would be known on 3rd November 2017. An additional event, the ‘Flavours of Orpington’ food festival, had taken place in September 2017 celebrating the choice and quality of food available in the town centre.
Ms Helen McIntosh, South East London Chamber of Commerce noted that they were hoping for a positive outcome with regards to the aviation college. In terms of the Public Private Partnership development of St Mark’s Square, it was noted that the site was due to open in March 2018 and U+I Group PLC would be happy to deliver an update to the Partnership and host a visit.
Mr Michael Humphries, Handelsbanken echoed the comments made by other members, in that there was no shortage of activity. In the commercial market there was still the difficulty of finding properties, but generally the signs were good.
Mr Steve Wheeler attended the meeting representing the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Mr Wheeler had been working to help secure funding for smaller business groups, and would continue to provide them with support and looking for space. Mr Wheeler had currently been unable to get any further with enquiring about the space above Sainsbury’s in Chislehurst as the agent was not cooperating.
Ms Frances Forrest, Your Bromley BID Company reported that the BID branding had now been installed in the town centre. Hanging baskets had been installed and it was hoped that a second phase could be instigated to fill some of the gaps. A night ambassador service would be implemented shortly to assist the night time economy and make people feel even safer when visiting the town centre at night. Upcoming events included a ‘Day of the Dead’ event with a number of activities taking place during the day and evening, and a business networking event on 21st November 2017. Your Bromley BID Company were also looking to take over vacant units in the town centre to make them look more exciting, arty and attractive.
Mr Alex Henderson, MSE UK advised members that he had recently employed two production staff, and was now looking to recruit sales staff as the business was expanding. The production side of the operation was very busy, with the team working overtime to complete testing and orders. With regards to concerns raised previously about another local business, the recycling plant had now installed a netting system which was much better, but the manager of the site had still not produced the dust reports requested. A further concern was the fly-tipping that was taking place on the old Columbia Ribbon Manufacturing site on Kangley Bridge Road. Staff would be taking place in a moonlight walk for St Christopher’s Hospice in memory of Mark Henderson, founder of MSE UK and a former co-optee of the Partnership. Anyone wishing to make a donation could do so via the following link:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nerissa-henderson?platform=hootsuite
RESOLVED that the update be noted.