Dear Business,
Thank you for your invaluable feedback to our recent consultation survey. The insight has been very helpful in guiding the BID’s priorities and projects over the next five years as we head into our renewal ballot this Autumn.
Since 2013, Southend Business Improvement District (BID) has been working on behalf of local town centre businesses to deliver a number of improvements and projects for Southend.
Businesses expressed a strong desire to work together to ensure that the town centre can make the most of their combined potential and remain ahead of the competition and, via a strong collaboration, raise the profile of Southend.
Over the next five years, with your support at our upcoming ballot in October, Southend BID will focus on the projects that matter to you most. Without your vote, these projects will not be able to continue:
MANAGE • STREET RANGERS - Supporting businesses with shoplifting incidents, anti-social behaviour, visitor queries, first aid and more. • ROUGH SLEEPERS - Working with key charities and stakeholders to support strategies to tackle homelessness, rough sleeping and begging. • PURPLE FLAG - Supporting the continuation of the nationally recognised Purple Flag accreditation. • KEEPING TOGETHER INITIATIVE - Continuing to provide wristbands to reunite lost children and vulnerable adults to reinforce safety and security measures. • DISC - Providing access a secure online information sharing system to enable businesses to report incidents and view the latest intelligence. • NIGHT TIME ECONOMY SUPPORT - Encouraging safety through supporting campaigns such as Ask Angela and Drink Aware. • CLEANLINESS - Encouraging cleanliness through anti-litter campaigns and graffiti removal. • STREET ART - Creating a point of cultural interest through quarterly street art pieces. • BUNTING & PLANTING - Installing bunting and hanging baskets to improve the aesthetics of the high street. • CHRISTMAS TREE & LIGHTS - Creating a magical, festive atmosphere at Christmas. MOTIVATE STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP - Ensuring the views of local businesses are voiced in discussions surrounding the long term vision of Southend. • NETWORKING - Providing opportunities for businesses to network and engage with both the BID team and each other. • COMMUNICATIONS - Providing regular communications and updates to businesses on activities led by both the BID and wider stakeholders. • PROVIDING INWARD INVESTMENT - Working closely with
public sector organisations such as government funding schemes and Southend Borough Council to help boost economic growth and recovery. MARKET MARKETING SOUTHEND - Promoting Southend businesses and attractions to local consumers through the VisitSouthend and Southend BID social media channels, the Southend BID website, along with PR campaigns to help encourage footfall and spend. • CITY JAM - Working alongside Southend City Council to provide world class street art pieces and an annual showcase festival. • TRANSPORT - Offering reduced rates on public transport for BID businesses and their employees. • MAPS & GUIDES - Providing digital maps and guides to showcase what Southend has to offer to visitors. • CHINESE NEW YEAR - Supporting a celebration for Chinese New Year with traditional food, music, performances and a parade. • LUMINOCITY - Encouraging footfall to Southend with large-scale lighting installations; the Festival of Light. • COCKTAIL WEEK - Continuing to celebrate Southend’s variety of bars, pubs and restaurants with signature cocktails and events. • TRAILS - Organising family-friendly trails across Southend to run in line with school holidays. • CHRISTMAS - Maintaining a Christmas light switch on event to celebrate the festive season. We welcome your feedback on the priorities gathered through our business consultation with you and will be holding a networking session for further input on 9th and 10th May at The Forum between 10:00am – 4:00pm. The address is as follows: HELLIWELL ROOM THE FORUM ELMER SQUARE SOUTHEND-ON-SEA ESSEX SS1 1NS Businesses can ask at the reception and be directed to the room. Please register your attendance by emailing hello@southendbid.com.
Our Street Ranger Team will be handing out the following flyers to businesses over the next few days, so please keep you eye out for them.
Thank you for supporting Southend BID.