o Night-Time Enterprise Zone (NTEZ) and Strategy
o High Streets For All (HSFA)
o Levelling Up Fund (LUF)
Minutes:
The Partnership received an update regarding the Night-Time Enterprise Zone (NTEZ) and Strategy, High Streets for All (HSfA) and Levelling Up Fund (LUF).
Hal Khanom, LBB Head of Economic Development informed members of the Partnership that the Local Authority had been unsuccessful in its Levelling Up Fund bid for the proposed work in Crystal Palace Park. This was disappointing, but it was felt to have been a strong application and they would give consideration to applying for the next round of funding.
Lorraine McQuillan, LBB Place Shaping and Local Economy Manager advised that Bromley town centre had been awarded two pots of money. The first was part of the HSfA programme, and would be used to deliver youth markets during March and April 2023. The aim was to attract young people into the High Street and engage with them in a positive way. The second pot related to Bromley town centre becoming a NTEZ. Funding had been awarded to three London boroughs to boost activity in their High Streets after 6.00pm, and events and projects would be delivered throughout the year. The LBB Place Shaping and Local Economy Manager highlighted that these funding pots would provide a great opportunity to showcase the town centre to the rest of the borough, as well as the rest of London.
Members of the Partnership were advised that although the NTEZ funding was specifically for Bromley town centre, there was also a requirement to produce a night-time strategy for the borough. This year the work in the town centre had involved trialling project and events with a view for them to also occur in other parts of the borough. Research and engagement to help underpin the strategy was also being undertaken and the LBB Place Shaping and Local Economy Manager introduced Matthew Hopkinson, Managing Director – Didobi and Satu Streatfield, Publica, who were leading on this work.
Matthew Hopkinson, Managing Director – Didobi informed members that the company worked with the GLA to create evidence bases for night-time economies. Didobi focussed on the quantitative and qualitative research while Publica looked at urban realm improvements and engagement. There were three core parts:
- Engagement – with businesses, night-time workers, residents and visitors. It was key for them to understand what people felt was needed, and what they would support, in order to gain an idea of the social, economic and environmental impact. This would involve analysing data related to things such as footfall, transport and crime.
- Creating a model for economic uplift – changing opening hours could create more jobs and employment, and result in more money being brought into the local economy, but the associated costs also needed to be considered.
- Production of a Toolkit – to support local businesses, the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and the Council.
Satu Streatfield, Publica informed members that they were looking at improvements to the public realm to help support the night-time economy. There were already some amazing assets in the town centre, and they would look to ensure that people could find their way after dark – they wanted residents and stakeholders to get involved in advising what they would like to see, what their aspirations were, and what were considered to be the big challenges.
In response to questions from a visiting Member, the Managing Director – Didobi advised that the NTEZ funding was specific to Bromley town centre, and noted that it also related to night-time workers, and what was available for them. The LBB Head of Economic Development highlighted that the work being led by Didobi focussed on the night-time economy in Bromley town centre, however the Economic Development Team planned to develop a wider night-time strategy over the next two years. It was hoped that the work with Didobi, particularly around cost benefits and the value of businesses opening later, would form the basis of what they tried out in other town centres and areas of the borough.
Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group considered that one of the first stakeholders that should be contacted was The Glades Shopping Centre, as they would play an important role in businesses staying open later. The Managing Director – Didobi said that landlords would be key. It was noted that there was some wide sections of public realm, which provided an opportunity to bring things in and create a micro piece – they would be able to provide examples and case studies of where this had happened. A visiting Member noted that proposals had previously been developed to install structures in the High Street and suggested that these could be reviewed. The Chairman said that this was an evolution of this concept. The LBB Head of Economic Development confirmed that they had been talking to The Glades as part of the NTEZ work and they were trying to influence businesses to stay open later. The Chairman highlighted that work should also be undertaken with the BID, who could bring the business community on board with the emerging plans. Frances Forest, Your Bromley BID Company confirmed that discussions had already taken place, and the consultants would be attending the licensing partnership that week to meet with some of the businesses in the town centre.
Mike Humphries, Handelsbanken noted that pervious proposals had included floating roofs and a water feature. To make the night culture work, the whole vision and vista of the High Street needed to be considered. The perception of the town centre at night needed to be altered by changing the structure and creating a safe environment – the infrastructure from the car parks needed to support this. The Chairman agreed, and advised that improved lighting was part of the infrastructure that would be addressed. It was noted that the police had recently increased resources in the town centre. This highlighted that there was not a single fix, and it would need to be looked at holistically.
Mr Thomas said that consideration needed to be given as to how people could get to and from the town centre, and feel comfortable to explore and enjoy it. Visitors would not come to the town centre if they did not feel safe. It was noted that another consultant had undertaken some work, and suggested that these details be shared as it was felt there would be a certain amount of synergy between the two. Gary Hillman, N. Hillman & Sons highlighted the need to drive evening trade into the High Street.
Mr Thomas suggested that providing free car parking at certain times could help attract people into the town centre. The Chairman noted that the events delivered needed to be unique, and they needed to think creatively.
The Chairman thanked and congratulated the Economic Development Team for successfully securing the pots of funding.
RESOLVED that the update be noted.