News

Worthing BID helps to bring the Ice Rink back to Worthing

Following fantastic feedback from the 2009 Ice Rink, the BID fund is bringing the Ice Rink back to town in partnership with Worthing Borough Council. The Ice Rink helped businesses at the height of the recession in the quietest month with the increased footfall it brought to town. The Ice Rink also helped to convince companies like H&M and Poundland that they should invest in Worthing as they were both conducting site visits while the Ice Rink was operating. We have now had a flurry of activity to rent vacant units and we can say "it all started with some ice ........"

Actions for 2009/2010

During 2009/10 the BID levy business plan will be allocated in the following ways:-

Wardens
The wardens will continue and following our survey; along with the open meeting it has been agreed the hours will change slightly and more focus will be given to the ambassodorial duties.

Deep Cleaning
South Street and Montague Street will be deep cleaned again and the Montague Centre and Warwick Street will have a chewing gum removal once the required permissions have been obtained.

Clean Streets Education
The videoscreens will display anti litter messages and hot spots will receive attention where appropriate.

Event Program
Events are already planned for the year including an Easter Italian Market and Street Entertainment event, a Doctor Who event, a Halloween event with Scooby Doo and the Worthing Birdman on 22nd / 23rd August 2009. Bjorn the bear will be returning for Christmas along with the Pip, Pop and Santa show a character show especially for Christmas. The Ice Rink will be reviewed to see if this has delivered the objectives of the BID and if it should be arranged again in 2009/10.

Marketing
Keep the focus on Worthing by issuing press releases about activities in the town as well as encouraging the media to cover events and activities in the Town Centre. Continue to improve the website and start to look at marketing using new technologies.

Achievements 2008/2009

The main focus on the Business Plan is to protect footfall and keep people visiting Worthing Town Centre. The UK trend in Town Centres is downwards with many people using the internet or out of town shopping areas. In 2008 the national trend on footfall was -5.8% with Worthing showing only a slight decline of -0.5%.

The Business Improvement District has 3 major objectives and here are the activities and achievements for 2008/9:-

A Cleaner well maintained Worthing

Montague Street has had one chewing gum removal and deep clean with another scheduled as soon as the Gas works are completed in April 2009.

South Street has now received the 2 deep cleans and chewing gum removal as set out in the business plan.

4 vacant units were covered with old pictures of Worthing to encourage footfall passed an area where there were a number of empty shops. Some of these coverings had to be removed due to short leases over the Christmas period and it is planned to have these replaced as soon as permission is received from the building owners.

A trial of portable ashtrays took place in the summer and proved very popular. A large order has been placed in China to maximise the budget and these will be distributed via the wardens and premises with outside seating as soon as they arrive to minimise the impact of cigarette butts on the cleanliness of the town.

Graffiti protection was provided for the underpass artwork that a community group completed to improve the route from the station to the town centre

Christmas Light installation and removal is not included in the BID but a small amount was allocated to Christmas Light improvements to enhance the display.

A safe and welcoming Worthing

From 1st May 2008 there have been 2 wardens patrolling Worthing. They provide information to visitors, keep business informed on what is happening in the Town Centre; report maintenance issues such as loose paving and graffiti as well as supporting business to reduce crime.

The Shopwatch scheme has developed into a Business Crime Reduction partnership open to any business and membership is included within the BID levy. Businesses that have signed Data Protection protocols can have information on known offenders provided and updated.

A Business Information Crime System has now been introduced in Worthing keeping track of all the reported incidents in the town allowing the Police to identify where Civil Bans or ASBO’s may be appropriate.

A vibrant, well-marketed Worthing

A range of events have been organised to encourage people into the town centre these have included:-

High School Musical Event

Warwick Street 200th Birthday celebration

Summer Fun Weekend

Additional Christmas event with Bjorn the animatronic Polar Bear

Worthing Birdman - without the BID monies this event would now be in Brighton. The weekend delivered over £260,000 of publicity for Worthing and helped to increase July footfall by 12%.

Worthing Ice Rink funded by the BID in partnership with Worthing Borough Council. This event has helped capture visitors to the town from outside our normal catchment and has encouraged people outdoors during really cold weather.

Press Releases on the positive news stories have been produced and other marketing materials such as pocket guides and information leaflets have been produced and circulated.

Videos for each of the trading areas in the town have been produced for the new videoscreens to encourage visitors to extend their stay and explore.

The Worthing Town Centre website www.worthingtowncentre.co.uk has been developed to include business listings and more information to encourage visitors. This website is being marketed at major events and on the videoscreens.

Plans for the Business Improvement District are now well underway

The Steering Committee for the Business Improvement District are moving the business plan forward ready for the launch of the BID on 1st April 2008. It has been agreed there will be 2 wardens in town from 10am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and restricted times on Sunday. The wardens will offer back up to businesswatch members and will help visitors and shoppers find there way around. The wardens will be the first point of call for businesses and will feedback comments, issues and ideas into the Steering Group. It has also been agreed there will be a deep clean of the town and chewing gum targets will be put up in the Town Centre to reduce chewing gum litter. Branding is being discussed to ensure that the public and business community are aware what the BID is delivering for the Town Centre. If you have any ideas for the BID please contact Sharon Clarke on 01903 203252.

WorthingBID result

Worthing businesses have been considering the option that Worthing becomes a Business Improvement District. Voting in the independent postal ballot closed at 5pm on Thursday 5th July 2007 and I am delighted to announce the proposal for the Worthing Town Centre Business Improvement District has been accepted by the business community.

To gain a YES vote 2 criteria must be met:-
1) at least 50% of the number of businesses voting agreeing to the BID
2) at least 50% of the rateable value of those voting agreeing to the BID
Worthing achieved 57% in criteria 1 and 53% in criteria 2.

From April 2008 businesses with a rateable value of £10,000 or more will see 1% of their rateable value as a levy; this will be ring-fenced to deliver the Worthing BID business plan. Chris Spratt chairman of the Town Centre Initiative said “I am highly delighted at this result as it is a great opportunity for businesses to work together to ensure Worthing is a thriving, vibrant, interesting town centre that people want to visit. The BID will enable investment which will elevate the quality of Worthing Town Centre allowing it to stand proud with other South Coast Towns.”

Last few days for voting

The WorthingBID ballot closes at 5pm on Thursday 5th July 2007. With only days left to make your vote count it is important for you to have your say. Remember there is due to be a postal strike so get those ballot papers posted as soon as possible to guarantee they arrive by the deadline. We want every business eligible to vote to be included in the process so the decision is made by all the businesses in Worthing. If you are still undecided and would like to talk anything through please call Sharon Clarke on 01903 203252.

Not received your ballot paper?

If you are a business trading in Worthing Town Centre with a rateable value of more than £10,000 and have not yet received your ballot paper you may need to request a replacement. The BID ballot is being managed by an independant company, Electoral Reform Services, under strict legislative guidelines. One of the guidelines states that if more than one ballot paper is received for a business premises it will invalidate all the votes for this location. Therefore, please ensure others in your organisation have not returned the ballot before requesting a replacement - it is important your vote counts. If you still require a replacement please send a letter, on headed paper, as proof of identity, to Electoral Reform Services, 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW. Please ensure you clearly state the address the ballot should be sent to along with the contact name. Replacement ballots cannot be sent after 29th June 2007 so if you do not have time to submit your request by post a Fax on headed paper sent to 020 8365 8587 will be accepted.

The WorthingBID ballot is underway

Ballot papers have now been sent out to the businesses who are eligible to vote. If you have been informed you are eligible but have not yet received your papers then replacement papers can be arranged via ERS the company managing the independent ballot. On Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th June representatives will be calling on all Worthing businesses to ensure ballot papers have been received and ensure everyone is aware that all votes must be with ERS by 5th July 2007 to count.

Ballot Papers to be sent out in early June

Businesses that are eligible to vote in the Worthing Town Centre BID ballot will be receiving their ballot papers by post in early June. Businesses will have until close of play on 5th July to register their vote via postal ballot. It is important to allow time for the ballot to reach ERS in London so don't leave it til the last minute to complete the ballot paper. If an eligible business does not receive a ballot paper then a replacement can be sent by contacting Electoral Reform Services 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW. Replacements for lost or spoilt papers will be sent out on June 29th.

First Consultation Completed

The first consultation with all the businesses that will be voting in the Worthing BID ballot has been completed. Over 60% of businesses have now provided full details of where ballot papers should be sent and the other businesses have agreed to send details back by post. At present of the businesses expressing a view there are 5 Yes votes to each no vote.

UKBIDs analysis of towns voting "No" to a Business Improvement District

The UKBID advisory team have analysed the towns where the business community have decided against a BID in their area. The findings were that in most cases the reason for a "No" vote was that the business community felt that their area was performing well economically and didn't require the investment in additional services. There are now over 40 UK BID areas including 14 within Greater London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Reading and Brighton.

Worthing Town Centre Steering Committee support WorthingBID

The Worthing Town Centre Steering Committee have been discussing the potential benefits of a Business Improvement District for Worthing town centre. While this can be seen as another form of taxation on businesses they feel that without it the needs of the visitors and business community cannot be met. All businesses want to see increased customers and all visitors to the town want an experience not just a visit. By investing in the town the experience is a positive one and this increases visitor numbers. At present a few of the larger stores contribute towards the work of the Town Centre Initiative and it is the few that are paying for improvements for all. The WorthingBID will ensure that all the businesses work together for the good of the town, its customers and the community.

Worthing Businesses to Vote on a Business Improvement District

Worthing town centre businesses will be having their say on the WorthingBID. Voting closes on 5th July 2007 and all eligible businesses will receive ballot papers on or by Thursday 7th June 2007. A Yes vote will ensure over £1million worth of investment into Worthing Town Centre over the next 5 years ensuring a vibrant and active town centre.