Promote Committee Meeting November 2025

Tuesday 4^th November, 2.30pm

PARTNER EVENTS

Firework

• Displays will finish on the 15^th November – in line with the Switch On event which the BID have sponsored.

• The seaside partnership have submitted applications to host two NYE displays at 6pm and then midnight, repeat of last year.

Poppies on the Pier: 5^th – 16^th November

• Fantastic event with over 100,000 community knitted and crocheted poppies attached the pier in the UK’s largest Remembrance art installation.

BID EVENTS

Southend Food and Drink Festival: 24^th October – 2^nd November

• 18 venues participated with a range of deals. Prize draw applicants to be reviewed and assigned prizes. Feedback to be sent to participants.

• Marketing materials used included High Street digital screens, 3m banners, paid social ads, venue focused posts, posters, maps, leaflets, trail map.

Remembrance Day Poppies

• 12 BID venues will have poppies on their window from 3^rd November through to 13^th November.

Christmas Switch On: 15^th November

Switch On activity includes:

• BBC Essex will be promoting on the air prior to the event and will be covering throughout the day whilst hosting the stage.

• Performances from 1pm on the stage with local performers and community groups.

• Busking stations, Christmas characters roaming, Storytelling bus in Royals Square next to the tree, crafting – painting a Southend sign in the forum, creating Christmas lanterns.

• 6pm light switch on - panto stars, mayor and special guest.

• 7.30pm firework finale.

Promotion:

• 5 pressers to date

• High Street digital ad screen.

• Sponsored post live from tomorrow.

• Forum big screen.

• Printed leaflets to all primary schools pupils.

• Digital brochure to all schools.

Cheeky Elf Trail

• 10 venues displaying a cheeky elf behind their tills.

Festive Sundays: 7^th, 14^th, 21^st December

• Encouraging people into the city centre with activities running from 11am – 3pm. Bonus that there is free parking in council car parks on these dates.

  * 7^th – Snow Queen Sunday as sponsored by Southend Theatres

  * 14^th – Musical Sunday

  * 21^st – Festive Fun Sunday

BID member event

• Idea to share what has been done in the year gone, what’s upcoming for year 4, and get ideas and feedback

STREETSCAPE

Christmas Scheme

• Council fees have been introduced in recent years despite this being a community provision and event series. Thank you to the council for waiving this cost for 2025.

• Lights installed on the 22^nd / 23^rd October.

• Two trees installed on Sunday 2^nd November, positive feedback.

  
  

Cleaning

• Suez has been tasked to wash and monitor alleyway and paving following reports of mess form the last committee meeting.

OPPORTUNITIES

Night time economy year-round trail

• This will be advanced in the new year, would kindly ask for volunteers that would like to progress the concept.

“Beyond the Black Friday”

• Will be promoting BID independents later in November in the run up to Black Friday spotlighting the people behind the businesses.

Blue Monday Ideas

• Will be running a small activity for blue Monday in January.

AOB

Next meeting - 4th November at 2.30pm