New action group being set up by Stratford town centre traders
CONCERNS about declining trade in the town centre and a perceived lack of support has spurred business owners in Stratford to form a new action group.
It’s understood the group is scheduled to meet for a third time where more formal plans for its future will be discussed. At this stage the group is still at a formulative phase.
The Herald has seen an email circulated to business owners informing them of the meeting. It reads: ‘Following recent meetings held by local businesses to discuss their mutual concerns, it was agreed to formalise a new group that will be run by businesses for businesses. It was unanimously agreed that Stratford BID has consistently failed to represent its membership and failed to give value for money. The compulsory BID levy delivers nothing for many members in specific sectors who see it only as unwanted additional taxation.’
Some Stratford businesses have repeatedly complained about the presence of markets on Waterside and decisions to close key streets for three-day festivals – for example, last week’s food festival – which, they claim, should be a two-day event as three days causes gridlock around the town and kills trade as visitors choose to spend their cash at the food and drink stalls instead of supporting the town’s pubs and restaurants.
The new group has listed two key commitments:
1. To protect and enhance the town centre’s cultural, heritage and amenity assets. It says it wants to reverse the decline in the town and its critical assets as this ‘negatively affects every business and resident’.
2. To enhance the visitor experience for locals. The group says locals are the lifeblood of businesses and the local economy and adds it wants to ‘represent the views and needs of residents and businesses’. It continues: ‘If locals are happy to frequent the town centre regularly, visitors and tourists will also be delighted to do so.’
Diane Mansell, Stratford BID manager, stressed any member business in need of support can turn to BID.
“In these challenging economic times, it is vital that all of us that live and work in communities like Stratford stand together,” she said. “The high street has faced unprecedented difficulties for a number of years now with the growth of online business, then the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis. Anyone running a business will tell you they have never had to face such an onslaught of pressure.
“BIDs are therefore more important than ever before, providing support for member businesses who undoubtedly have had and will continue to face difficulties. We have over 450 businesses that we support day in and day out, and myself and my dedicated team are determined to stand firm with them over the coming difficult months and help them to survive and grow. If any businesses within the town have concerns or worries my door is always open and myself and the team are happy to pop in anytime to discuss your needs.”
BID members will vote at the end of 2023 on whether to endorse it for another term. The BID began its current term on 1st April 2019 and will operate until 31st March 2024.
It was set up to promote the town and support its businesses using money raised through a levy.
