Agenda item

GENERAL NEWS ROUND (VERBAL UPDATE)

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:

 

  The Glades finished 2017 with footfall -1.5% compared to 2016.

  Gift card sales were down 10%, but this could in part be attributed to the rebranding of the centre from intu to The Glades. The intu gift card could be used in all intu centres.

  The car park remained busy all year with usage flat compared to 2016.

  The new Christmas Grotto was well received, and over 4,000 children had visited.

  Despite 2017 having been challenging for some retailers, strong performances were seen from a good number of tenants including; Joules, Fat Face, Massimo Dutti, Ecco, Holland & Barrett, Lush, to name a few.

  There were a few new lettings in 2017; HMV, Explore Learning, and the Fragrance Shop, and a number of others invested in refurbishing their units, including Carphone Warehouse, L’Occitane and Quiznos.

  Pia jewellers left the centre at the end of December 2017, and Swag jewellers would be leaving in the next couple of months. Toys R Us would continue to be monitored closely, but for now had no plans to close in The Glades.

  It was expected that 2018 would now see a higher number of new lettings start to come through in all areas of the mall, with some beginning their shop fits at the end of January 2018.

 

Ms Helen McIntosh, South East London Chamber of Commerce, was not present at the meeting, but provided a written update on behalf of U+I Group PLC with regard to the St Mark’s Square development:

 

   The first residential core was due to be handed over in February 2018, and U+I Group PLC were due to complete the final phase of the development in June 2018.

 

   The cinema was taking occupation in January 2018 to start their 18-week fit out; with the restaurants and hotel following in March 2018. This would allow them time to complete their fit outs and have soft launches before the scheme completed in June 2018.

 

   U+I Group PLC were working with a creative agency on the launch plans, and members would be advised when further details were available.

 

Mr Michael Foxhall, Barclays Bank PLC advised members that the requirement for people depositing cash at the bank to have identification would go live the following day. If customers did not have the debit card to the account into which the cash would be paid, a driving license or other form of identification would need to be presented.

 

Mr Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group said that the company was very busy, with lots of enquiries continuing to be received. They were still looking for more spaces, and were in contact with the agents regarding the Churchill Quarter development.

 

Mr Dave Freeborn, Proctors advised that land sales continued to be buoyant. They had been in contact with clients to discuss their requirements for this year, and it was looking positive.

 

Mr Michael Humphries, Handelsbanken echoed the comments made by other members, with regards to things looking positive. However, the shortage of space and opportunities remained an issue.

 

Ms Frances Forrest, Your Bromley BID Company reported that their annual survey had been completed, which highlighted that businesses wanted more communication and information on regeneration opportunities. During December, the BID had paid for an additional police team to help deter shoplifting, and they would request reports from the police to see how effective it had been. The Christmas lights switch on and weekend events had been good fun. The night ambassador scheme, which assisted the night time economy, had now come to an end. A survey would be undertaken to see if a variation of the scheme could continue to be funded. Members were reminded that www.yourbromley.com had a jobs portal, which allowed businesses to advertise job vacancies free of charge.

 

Mr David Warnes, London South East Colleges reported that their current focus was the formal bid for the development of an Engineering Academy based on-site at London Biggin Hill Airport, for which a full planning application would be submitted in March 2018. They were also working with the London Borough of Bromley to recruit to their apprenticeship posts from the College’s student cohort, and the Local Authority’s fostering team with regards to upskilling their staff.

 

Ms Sharon Baldwin, Orpington 1st BID Company informed members that their BID had been successful for a second term, running from 2018-2023. There had been an increase of 50% in the number of ‘yes’ votes, and unlike the first ballot, that had not been a notable ‘no’ campaign. Ms Baldwin reported that footfall in the town centre tended to be driven by the leisure offer with the cinema, in Odeon terms, second only to Leicester Square, and the Premier Inn which operated at 90% capacity. Vacancy rates were at 7%, and it was expected that some larger units would come on to the market shortly. The BID paid a contribution towards the funding of the police team, and were currently working with the London Borough of Bromley to find hubs in which to house them, and allow them to stay in the town centre. The proposed McCulloch Homes development on Homefield Rise had gone to an appeal, the outcome of which was expected on 5th February 2018. A further three developments along Gravel Pit Way, which had not yet applied for planning, may do so once the appeal was decided.

 

RESOLVED that the updates be noted.