Built Environment - transport, planning etc
East Street Vision
There is a great deal of change going on in the East Street area and the BID is active seeking to ensure it benefits businesses in the area. We have used the strong voice of the BID to impress upon the council the need for speed to bring these changes forward in particular at St Catherine’s Place and the former Argos block.
The impact on East Street trading could be most significant, in particular if we are successful in the grants we are seeking to ensure the East Street ‘Vision’ is delivered – in effect a face-lift of the streets public realm, street furniture, facades etc.
Church Rd Pocket Park
As reported earlier we were delighted to win a small grant of £15,000 to install a much needed pocket park on the junction opposite East Street Fruit and Veg which will bring some much needed aesthetic improvement to this spot. The latest draft ideas are summarised in the image below and we hope to install early in the New Year.
At a more basic level the state of the cleanliness of the area has declined in the past year largely as a result of increased illegal graffiti and as such the BID has invested in a private contractor to deal with the worst of it on behalf of businesses. Nearly 30 properties have been treated in the BID area over the past 6 months with an average cost of approximately half what it would be for businesses to organise and pay for this themselves as the economies of scale and efficiencies of doing multiple properties in one visit really work for BID members.
Anti-social behaviour
With the level of anti-social behaviour increasing sadly we have had to invest in our own data sharing system (DISC) as a means to enable businesses to be the ‘eyes on the street’ and communicate directly and effectively with the police. More information of how the system works here - https://www.discagainstcrime.com/ - please do get in touch if you wish to be put onto the system. Also a mini crime prevention group of businesses meets with police on the last Monday of each month at 5.15pm in Bubble Cafe – if you wish to come along please contact us to find out more or just turn up.
Marketing
Christmas Objectives
Like many of you the BID team have been busy planning, and getting excited about, the coming festive season; thinking of ways to promote BS3 as a shopping destination for all Christmas gifts and activities, while setting that special festive feeling and getting locals excited for the holidays.
The marketing team have elected to spend considerably more money on Christmas this year, nearly 1/3 of all BID income will be focused on these festivities, with the aim to link the local BS3 businesses, residents and wider consumers, while increasing revenue in the run up to Christmas.
The 2019 programme is the largest one we have planned so far seeing the likes of Show of Strength and community groups managing up to 100 events. These will all be promoted via the return of our very successful gift guide with a 20,000 print run. The Shop Local campaign will be celebrating you, our traders, while our community Elves will be back to hand write hundreds of Santa letters.
There are numerous ways for traders to get stuck in, take part and be involved in the fun. More information can be found here.
Any questions please contact Jocelyn via 07811178400 or northst@bedminster.org.uk
Bedminster Promo Video
Our very own Bedminster promo video is now live and definitely worth a watch. Colin Moody has captured some of the well know faces working and living within the area, celebrating the vibrant streets and shops. Its turned out really well, had great feedback and we hope you like it - share it with your customers via this FB link.
Fiver Fest
Have you heard about Fiver Fest? This is a national campaign that encourages locals to spend locally and keep revenue within our economy. It would be great to have as many businesses taking part in this as possible. A personalised poster can be downloaded to let customers know you are taking part and what your offer might be.
More information can be found via the Fiver Fest website. If you choose to take part please let Jocelyn know via northst@bedminster.org.uk so we can share on social.
Promotion
The Bedminster BID works closely with Plaster, a local communications agency based off North St, who have years of valuable experience running events, launching products and creating innovative campaigns for their clients; luckily for us they are also pretty passionate about all things BS3.
Who is Plaster for the BID?
Plaster helps to increase the public profile of the BS3 retail area, with the ultimate aim of driving traffic to the amazing local businesses south of the river.
This includes running the BID's website and social media channels, planning and supporting community events such as Christmas in Bedminster, Musicians on the Run and Make Sunday Special as well as helping create marketing opportunities for Bedminster as a whole.
Hundreds of independent traders make up the Bedminster BID and Plaster would like to make all of their voices heard. If you'd like to be featured on Bedminster's website and social media channels, please send photos and information on new products, celebrations or great stories from the shop or restaurant to bedminster@weareplaster.com. Send as many photos as you'd like and Plaster will do their best to share everyone's content.
Introducing Heather: Heather joined the team at Plaster in January of this year. Her background is in retail management in Montreal, Quebec and nothing makes her more excited than seeing community being built and championed for. Send any content you would like to be shared her way and she will be happy to try get it featured bedminster@weareplaster.com
Face of the High Street
Face of the High Street is a feature on the Bedminster BID's website and social media channels that highlights the people behind BS3's amazing local businesses. We reveal the history, the stories and the inspiration that makes these local shops and restaurants so incredible as well as discuss each owner's favourite parts of Bedminster, what they love about doing business here and where the future will take them.
If you're interested in being featured on Face of the High Street, get in touch with Plaster at bedminster@weareplaster.com and they will set up a time to come and visit. Each interview should take about 30 minutes, including Plaster snapping a few pictures of you doing what you do best, running your business.
GET INVOLVED IN THE BID
If you are interested in becoming more closely involved with the BID, we are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. The BID Board meets 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month. Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.
Alternatively a marketing (and arts, culture) group meets on the last Monday of every month also at 6pm and a Built Environment Group on the first Tuesday monthly at 4pm (please see our calendar here). Alternatively if you prefer drop us a line or telephone us for a chat to discuss any ideas you have that you think the BID should be pursuing.
About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses.
Our stated priorities are to:
Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
Market and promote Bedminster
Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
Drive down costs
Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminster.org.uk/business-what-is-bid
Customer facing website and social media:
Contacts
George Grace - business@bedminster.org.uk
Jocelyn Wellby - northst@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Stef Brammar (AGB) - stef.brammar@way-out-west.org
We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.