by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 17, 2023 | Latest News
A new Love Leam app launched by BID Leamington to showcase town centre businesses is now available to download for free.
Packed with captivating features, the app offers immersive trails and helpful guides, digital loyalty cards, money saving offers, local events, competitions and informative local guides.
It aims to build a community of support for the town centre, encouraging users to uncover Leamington’s hidden treasures, have fun exploring new things and actively support businesses.
Over 60 businesses are already featured – with Head, Hart & Co, Turtle Bay, Plan Burito and Café Waf Waf among those with tempting deals and loyalty offers to take advantage of right now.
The app also offers a variety of fun and useful trails including a gallery guide and cocktail trail, alongside dog friendly shops and eateries, and shoe shopping guides in the town centre, as well as information on everything from parking to accommodation and attractions.
The Love Leam app has been developed by Leamington-based software development company Vicinity which runs the successful LoyalFree platform that is available in more than 40 towns and cities across the UK.
BID Leamington is the organisation behind the town’s popular royal-leamington-spa.co.uk website, the popular Love Leam promotions and annual events including the Lantern Parade and Leamington Food and Drink Festival.
To celebrate the launch, BID Leamington is running a competition in which those who download the app before December 31 can enter into a draw to win a £200 shopping spree via the ‘competitions’ section.
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, said: “We are delighted to have launched the Love Leam app which is designed to support local businesses and enhance the experience for residents and visitors.
“It is great to be working with Henry Jinman and his team at Vicinity. Being locally-based means they have great knowledge and passion for Leamington so were perfectly positioned to develop an app which enhances the experience of visiting our town centre.
“We will continue to develop the app over time, adding even more features, and we hope residents and visitors alike will rally behind it.”
Henry Jinman, Chief Executive Officer of Vicinity, added: “I feel honoured to provide this app for the town. I love Leam and want to help everyone to explore, eat out, make connections, shop local and make the most of our beautiful town centre. That is what this app is designed to do, for residents and visitors alike.”
To download the app for free, visit www.loveleamington.com or search ‘Love Leam’ on the iOS and Google play store.
Businesses operating in Leamington town centre who would like to learn more about featuring on the Love Leam app are asked to email info@bidleamington.com.
Caption: Henry Jinman, Vicinity and Stephanie Kerr, BID Leamington with the new Love Leam app.
Features of the Love Leam app:
- Captivating Trails & Helpful Guides: Embark on trails that reveal the city’s history, hidden gems, and thriving local businesses.
- Digital Loyalty Cards: Enjoy seamless loyalty programmes with participating businesses, collecting stamps to earn well-deserved rewards.
- Exclusive Deals: Save money when you shop local with enticing promotions and discounts to make the most of your experience in Leamington. Unlock personalised deals as you engage with businesses.
- Event Calendar: Stay informed about upcoming local events, ensuring you never miss out on thrilling happenings.
- Competitions & Giveaways: Get a chance to win incredible local prizes through interactive trails and click-to-enter competitions.
- Local Guide: Access helpful information about Leamington, its notable attractions, parking options, accommodation, and more.
by Stephanie Kerr | Jul 7, 2023 | Latest News
Leamington crime initiative receives national accreditation – demonstrating it can lawfully and effectively deter and reduce crime, and adheres to industry standards.
The Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative (WRCI) is pleased to announce that it has been granted accreditation by Secured by Design to the national standard to ensure the partnership is operating lawfully, effectively and to the standards set out in the National Association of Business Crime Partnership Codes of Practice and supported by National Police Chiefs Council.
The WRCI, which has members across Leamington, is a partnership which aims to prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in retail and licensed business premises in Warwickshire.
Secured by Design is the official police security initiative, and the accreditation is a recognised standard that is awarded to products which are proven to reach a high level of security.
The WRCI is made up of several town centre partnerships and has members across Leamington, Kenilworth, Warwick, Stratford, Alcester, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone.
The current membership in Leamington is 48 retail premises and 37 licensed premises.
Members share data via an encrypted app on which they can also report incidents and view images of individuals who have been reported for committing crime, or have been excluded from entering a member premises because of their actions.
In the last 12 months, a total of 1068 incidents have been reported by retail members and 86 by licensing members across the Warwick District, which includes Leamington, and a total of 193 individuals have been excluded by these members.
The accreditation comes after the WRCI was awarded a £10,000 grant from Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe to specifically target and prevent prolific offending in shops and licensed premises across the county.
WRCI is a member-funded organisation, and also receives financial support from BID Leamington, the Rugby and Stratford BIDs, Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire District Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire.
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director of BID Leamington, said: “The Warwickshire Retail Crime Initiative is an essential town centre partnership in Leamington, and is something that we are very pleased to support.
“It is fantastic that the initiative has received accreditation and demonstrates just how effective it is at reducing and preventing crime and antisocial behaviour in Leamington and the wider county.
“Managing crime and antisocial behaviour requires a team effort, so it is very pleasing to see that the initiative has so many members and supporters, and we look forward to continuing to show our support going forward.”
Peter Guillaume, of the WRCI, added: “This has been a long and challenging process but with guidance and help from the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships and Warwickshire Police we are pleased that our operating standards have now met the required standards.
“This comes at a very opportune time when the scheme has been awarded a grant for targeting and preventing prolific offending in shops and licensed premises in Warwickshire, for which WRCI and its members are very grateful.”
ENDS
Caption: Peter Guillaume, of WRCI; Luke Phillips, of Rugby First, Stephanie Kerr, of BID Leamington; Derek Bradley, of WRCI; Chris Lewis, of the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner office; Jared Seal, of WRCI; Chief Inspector Faz Chishty, of Warwickshire Police and Ricky Lewis, of the Boots Leamington security team, next to Leamington’s help point button – one of the security measures in the town.
by Stephanie Kerr | Apr 28, 2023 | Latest News
We hope you are well … please read on for an overview of the weeks ahead, plus upcoming dates and activities – including news, new business and rates information we have posted or emailed about recently.
1. In the News!
Below are some headlines and updates that may have escaped your notice. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
Leamington Names as Best Place to Live in the Midlands
We were delighted to see Leamington Spa recognised as one of the best places to live in the Times. Congratulations to the businesses that were mentioned in the article – this includes some fabulous independents: “Henderson Hound, for dog paraphernalia, and Berylune for houseplants and greetings cards …. you’ll find Leamington’s best cafés, among them Spa Town Coffee and Trof”. Some of our multiple’s including Marks & Spencer, Rymans, White Stuff and Flying Tiger got a mention too. We also understand Chanel 5 was in town shooting for a documentary around this feature. Here is the link (please click). We are happy to email a copy if you cannot view this. Local editorial about this can be viewed here (please click).
Royal Leamington Spa Monopoly Board
We were pleased to learn that a Leamington edition of the board game Monopoly is to be launched later in the year (ready for Christmas). The town has been picked from the West Midlands to have its roads and landmarks feature in a set of the world-famous economics-themed board game. A variety of factors were used in selecting Royal Leamington Spa from the shortlist. These included ‘Pride’ ‘Beauty’ ‘Sense of Community’ and ‘Distinct Heritage’. You can read more about this here (please click).
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2. Kings Coronation & Town Centre Events
The bunting is up and with a bit of luck, the weather will stay fine for this historic celebration. Congratulations and thank you to all the businesses who have made such a stunning job of preparing your windows. They look fantastic. We have featured over 30 businesses across our socials and there is more to come. There are also a variety of groups and organisations planning free to attend, town centre events this weekend as follows:
A free, fun family day of activities to celebrate this special moment in history. There will be live music, face painting, a dog show and free workshops. Plus watch the historic Coronation live on a big screen!
- SATURDAY 6 May – All Saints Church & Enchanted
- King Charles III Coronation Celebration 👑
- All Saints Church. 1pm until 5pm.
Performances from the princesses, children’s activities, food and drink.
Starting and finishing at Victoria Park (the field opposite the play area), the ride loops around the town centre. It is open to everyone for a family-friendly ride. There will be music, there will be bubbles! For details of the route – please click here
- SUNDAY 7 May – Open Arts Festival
- OAF Bandstand Music Series presents Sing It Loud Choir.
- Pump Room Gardens. 1pm -6pm
Sing it Loud is an award-winning community choir in Leamington Spa – a choir that anyone can join regardless of their singing abilities. Sing It Loud is a not-for-profit choir set up in 2014 to help people discover the joy of singing together and to meet new people. Each year they hold 2-3 concerts with a 12-week programme of rehearsals to prepare for them. Each concert has a different theme and will contain songs from different genres and eras – something for everyone.
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3. Other Upcoming Activities & Local Events Calendar
If you wish to get involved in the Leamington Food & Drink Festival bookings please get in touch as the booking deadline was 30 April. We create opportunities for everyone to get involved in this in some way so please touch base to explore ideas.
The Easter Trail was popular and attracted over 100 entries that visited ALL 64 businesses on the trail. Here is a comment from one participant:
“Thank you for organising this. My kids absolutely loved it. It took us 4 hours and we stopped for lunch at Cinda’s which we never knew of before”.
We are promoting the Little Book of Offers which is now out and contains around 54 offers from local businesses. Offers can also be posted in the royal-leamington-spa website anytime. Looking forward we will be shooting new town centre photography and videography and we recently finished a Spring ‘Weddings in Leamington’ promotion listing around 40 businesses serving this industry – featured in Live 24/7.
Many organisations other than us (BID Leamington) also run events in the town centre – and often reach out to us suggesting different forms of collaboration. We continue to look for ways to leverage value for local businesses from other events so please let us know if you have ideas or which to be put in contact with event organisers. Here are a few dates coming up.
Events run by other organisations:
- UK Cancer Kids Bikeathon* (Pump Rooms) 14 May
- Cars at the Spa* (Pump Rooms) Sunday 11 June
- Leamington Canal Festival* (Canal) 24 and 25 June
- Leamington Half Marathon* 25 June
- Pub in the Park* (Victoria Park) 30 June – 2 July
- Barkers Fun Fair* on Pump Rooms – 6 July …
- Art in the Park* (Jephson Gardens) 5 & 6 August
- National Bowls Championships* 10 – 27 August
- Warwickshire Pride* (Pump Rooms) 19 August
- National Bowls Championships* 10 – 27 August
- 60 Hour Shakespeare* (Jephson Gardens) 28 August
- Eco Fest* Saturday 2 September
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4. Parking Machines On-Street (WCC)
It was brought to our attention that the parking machines on some town centre streets are not taking cash payments as they are faulty or broken. We agree that not taking cash payments in machines, is discriminatory, frustrating and worrying to customers, and bad for trade. We responded immediately and carried out an audit of the streets surrounding Park St. We found that 12 of the 16 machines we looked at were broken, and reported it to Warwickshire County Council (WCC) who controls on-street parking and enforcement, on the 27 of April.
At this time, WCC confirmed:
- Machines now and in future will take cash (however the issue now is many have faults). They also offered to speak to any businesses directly, so please let us know if you have specific feedback on this.
- They immediately actioned maintenance (battery replacement etc) on broken machines.
- That they will expedite the process for the procurement of new machines this coming year (however this will take some time, so we need a strategy in the meantime).
This week, with the support of a small group of interested businesses, we followed this up with WCC to better understand timeframes for works, and what can be done to support worried and frustrated customers. We have suggested signage on machines (directing customers to working ones or outlining changes to enforcement in streets where they are all broken) which, to date, is not yet agreed. We continue to work on this and will keep interested businesses updated.
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5. BID Renewal Ballot – Businesses Voted ‘Yes’
In early April we announced the proposal to renew BID Leamington until 2028 was supported with 90% of businesses voting in favour by number and 94% by rateable value. The formal declaration can be viewed by clicking here. As set out in our five-year Business Plan, this will ensure the continuation of popular events and promotions such as the Leamington Food and Drink Festival, Love Leam, Christmas lights funding and a host of other year-round activities focused on promoting, supporting and enhancing the town centre.
We are very grateful for the trust and support the business community has shown by voting for a further five years. As many know, the BID team are absolutely committed to championing and supporting our town centre and its businesses and the past five years in particular have seen the importance of working together. We know the business environment is tough and we are determined to embrace opportunities and tackle challenges ahead. More information, including a message from our Chair, can be found here (please click). In the meantime, I wish to thank the BID Board of Directors who offer their time voluntarily and are dedicated to helping make our town the best it can be. We are looking forward to working with all local businesses and local stakeholders to deliver the new business plan and ensure our town centre is a place we are proud of.
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6. Looking Forwards – Tackling Challenges & Shaping the Future Together
There is always much to do, and to plan for. In the last few weeks we have had meetings with agents representing major property owners, along with the Chief Executive of Warwick District Council. We are discussing a wide range of issues and opportunities including the treatment of vacant units, attracting new investment, waste management, mobility, policing, markets and town centre development sites and proposals.
In 2020/21 there were changes to planning regulations, including permitted development rights controlling the use of properties. This means that with limited ability to influence uses (e.g. restaurants, cafes, shops, offices etc at ground level), the curation and management of our town centre is dependent on strong relationships with key stakeholders and property owners to share our vision of shaping a vibrant and prosperous town centre that we are all proud of. BID Leamington is a key to monitoring, advocating and informing this.
The renewal of the BID also means we will be reviewing and updating contracted services in the coming months – alongside delivering our programme of marketing, events, lobbying and business representation and support. This includes preparing the tender for Christmas Lights, reviewing our ‘greening’ / hanging basket strategy for the years ahead and developing new areas of work around business support, training, environment and sustainability, and new events that may interest you. Please let us know if you wish to get involved in any of these interesting areas of work.
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7. Welcoming New Businesses …
We are delighted to welcome a number of new businesses to the town centre business community.
Recent openings include:
- Grace & Vine on Guy Street
- 44 Café Bar and Bistro on Clarendon Street has been recently opened by the team behind the Windmill Hill Brewing Company. Please click here to read more.
- Hamlington’s Jewellers have recently opened on Warwick Street. Please click here to read more.
- Le Keux Vintage on Chandos Street
- Massarella + Jones Hair on Clarendon Street
- Raro Tapa on Bath Street
- Otto Kitchen on Regent Street
- Pinky Pig Deli & Cafe on Regent Street
- Little Garden on Regent Street
- Rustiq on Warwick Street
- Basseri on Park Street
We also have a number of businesses who will open soon:
- Tustains Jewellers was founded in 1895, is set to triple in size as they move to Satchwell Court – just outside the entrance to the Royal Priors Shopping Centre. Please click here to read more.
- The former Café Rouge on Regent Street – has been taken on by Matt Crowther, and will become a Greek Restaurant called Taverna Meraki. Please click here to read more.
- The former House of Fraser property is progressing, as video game developer Sumo Group has leased the entire first and second floors of the building in the Parade. Please click here to read more.
We very much look forward to supporting all new businesses in the town centre, so please reach out if you would like to arrange a meeting.
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8. Business Rates & Lobbying Update
Late last year BID Leamington, alongside other BIDs nationally extensively lobbied the government for additional business support. Following this, in the November 2022 budget, it was announced that retail, leisure and hospitality businesses will benefit from 75% rates relief for the 2023/24 year (as detailed here). This is an example of our behind-the-scenes lobbying to support members. Some businesses may also have seen a drop in the rateable value of the property in the recent revaluation, which should help further. Check yours by clicking here.
This relief will apply from 1 April 2023 and should have been automatically applied to business rates invoices issued by the Council.
Please see the link here to understand who it applies to and how this is calculated. The multiplier of .0499p is used for all properties with a rateable value up to R.V. £50,999 and then the .0512p is used for anything over and above that threshold. There are some variations of this for specific cases, such as those in receipt of mandatory relief.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about this is anything else, and we are happy to help.
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6. BID Support – Please Stay in Touch
As always, we will be engaging with the wider community via our social media and website platforms, sharing the ‘shop local’ message, collaborating with local organisations and producing various directories and promotional brochures.
Please look out for emails inviting you to get involved, as this is how you can leverage additional value. We love to showcase your businesses and products on our websites and social media platforms. Importantly if your circumstance change please let us know so we can update our websites and let the wider community know. Also, please email us content and ‘tag’ us into your social media posts. Please check your profile on the royal-leamington-spa.co.uk website is up to date and email us any amends.
The Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page, Instagram, twitter and www.loveleamington.com is where we showcase what you are now doing. Please also join our Leamington Town Centre Facebook Group if you haven’t already and share your ideas, information, promotions etc. We also post updates on the BID Leamington Facebook Page and information on our refreshed BID website: www.bidleamington.com.
We know that many face challenges and our town centre is changing, however, we are stronger together. We much prefer to speak to you or come and meet, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or wish to arrange this🌸.
Very best wishes,
Steph, Alison & Gary
by Stephanie Kerr | Apr 3, 2023 | Latest News
Businesses in Leamington Spa have voted to support their Business Improvement District (BID) for a fourth term.
This means BID Leamington will continue to help ensure the town centre and its businesses are supported for the next five years after receiving a ‘yes’ vote from businesses.
The news was announced today following a month-long postal ballot of businesses eligible to vote, with 90 per cent voting in favour by number and 94 per cent in favour by combined rateable value.
The result will see the town centre benefit from more than £1.8 million of collective investment between now and 2028 and will ensure the continuation of popular events and promotions such as the Leamington Food and Drink Festival, Love Leam, and Christmas activities.
Businesses first voted to establish the BID in 2008, and to renew it for further five-year terms in 2013 and 2018. Recognised as one of the most creative and innovative small BIDS in the UK, it is funded by retail and leisure businesses and properties within a set boundary and with a rateable value of £15,000 and more, who pay an annual levy for the non-profit making organisation.
Ahead of the latest ballot, BID Leamington published a comprehensive five-year business plan which focuses on promoting, supporting and enhancing the town centre.
It outlines its vision, priorities and strategies to manage and promote the day-time and evening economy as well as continuing the collaborative spirit which was vital during the pandemic. The result means that the BID can now progress with its plan.
Stephanie Kerr, executive director of BID Leamington, said: “The team and I are very grateful for the trust and support the business community has shown by voting for a further five years.
“We are committed to championing and supporting our town centre and its businesses and the past five years in particular have seen the importance of working together.
“Looking forward we are determined to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead and greatly value the help of the wider community who are visiting and supporting local businesses.
“This continued investment from businesses into our town centre through BID, means that popular events like the Food Festival will go ahead in September, alongside a host of other year-round activities.
“Funding for Christmas lights, streetscape enhancements, local websites, directories and promotions will remain and together we will plan new projects to bring vibrancy and foster our brilliant community.
“Importantly, we will continue to offer all kinds of business support, lobbying, representation and place management including addressing vacant units, whilst welcoming new investment and working towards a sustainable and resilient future.
“I also wish to thank the Board of Directors who offer their time voluntarily and we look forward to working alongside our members and local stakeholders to deliver the new business plan and ensure our town centre is a place we are proud of.”
Gurdip Chatha, Chair of the BID Leamington Board of Directors and managing director of Esqué Beauty, said a further five years will enable the BID team to continue to champion the town’s reputation as a premier shopping, leisure and business destination.
She said: “We are delighted that businesses have voted in favour of the BID being in place for a further five years and it comes hot on the heels of news that Leamington was named the best place to live in the Midlands in the Sunday Times.
“The BID team is dedicated to making our town the best it can be for the whole community.
“This means ensuring our town centre is safe, attractive and welcoming, delivering inclusive events to attract visitors, supporting businesses to be resilient, lobbying for improvements, helping to attract new investment and convening dialogue to shape a sustainable vision for the future.”
The declaration of result can be viewed by clicking here.
by Stephanie Kerr | Feb 9, 2023 | Latest News
Town centre retailers will be sharing their love for Leamington in a new campaign to encourage residents to shop in their high street.
BID Leamington has launched Love Leam Month throughout February to inspire shoppers to explore the wide range of independent and national stores situated throughout the town centre.
Gary Jones, who works in project support at BID Leamington, has visited 40 shops to learn more about the people behind their business along with why they chose to open their shop in Leamington.
Some of those interviewed will be featured in their own video while others will be showcased on BID Leamington’s social media through individual posts and videos.
One of those to take part was Harvey Broadbent, owner of Positive Outlook, which employs eight members of staff selling sustainable and organic clothing made from bamboo and other natural fibres.
He said: “I’m a former student of Princethorpe College in Warwickshire and Leamington Spa was where I spent a lot of my fondest days growing up, returning as a business owner it has been very apparent the love and support that the people of Leamington show to local and independent retailers, many of whom are now our customers.
“We moved from our pop-up shop in the Royal Priors Shopping Centre to the infamous Parade last November, attracted by the sheer beauty of the street on a sunny day and the appeal of our front window display being viewed by pedestrians and motorists alike 24 hours a day.
“We have found that online we are busiest during the week but the store is bustling at the weekends, we love having a physical store for the opportunities it creates through conversation and the fact that the comfort of our clothing truly has to be felt to be believed.
“We produce clothing with people at heart and the planet in mind, using ethical manufacturers, paying fair living wages, while offering free meals for all our garment manufacturers. This combined with the sustainable materials we choose and high-level workmanship produces comfortable garments that last a lifetime.
“We wanted our store to match the natural and minimal feel of our clothing. We stripped back the plastic vinyl flooring to the original floorboards and sanded them back to their former glory. I designed a modular display system using minimal materials sourced locally from FSC certified growers, creating a place which truly represents our brand and feels like home.
“I think this video campaign perfectly represents why we came to Leamington. The support you get from BID Leamington is genuine and this gives a voice to town centre retailers and an opportunity to promote ourselves to a wider audience.
“It will be interesting to see the feedback it receives as there are so many wonderful and fascinating shops across Leamington just waiting to be discovered. It’s definitely surreal owning a store in the town I once paraded through as a kid and definitely a bit of a dream come true. One would say it’s a ‘natural’ home for Positive Outlook.”
Stephanie Kerr, executive director at BID Leamington, said Love Leam Month was designed to shine a light on all the exciting and varied stores situated in Leamington town centre.
She said: “February is known as the month of love with Valentine’s Day in the middle so we wanted to create a campaign to attract new and old shoppers to reflect how lovely Leamington is whatever the time of year.
“We were delighted so many retailers wanted to be involved in the video project and this gives us a chance to showcase Leamington to as wide an audience as possible.
“We would like to thank everyone for giving up their time to take part and we hope they are as pleased with the final results as we are.”
People are being encouraged to support Love Leam Month by following @LoveLeamington on Twitter and Instagram and Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre on Facebook.
Caption: Gary Jones from BID Leamington (left) with Harvey Broadbent from Positive Outlook
by Stephanie Kerr | Jan 20, 2023 | Latest News
We have recently been advised by Warwick District Council (WDC) that the Covent Garden multi-storey car park will be closing from Sunday 12 February 2023. They issued a press release this week. Please note the short-stay surface car park will remain open.
We know that some of you will have feedback, questions and concerns. WDC have created an email for enquiries: CoventGarden@warwickdc.gov.uk. Please copy us in to your emails if you wish as we want to keep abreast of your enquiries and continue to represent the business’ voice on this issue.
We understand WDC will be posting further information about their plans on their website in due course. In the meantime, please click here for their updates.
As businesses who have been trading here for time know, we understand the importance of providing customer and employee friendly access and parking in our town centre, and have relentlessly lobbied for a displacement parking plan to accommodate the closure of this car park, along with the provision of adequate spaces when it is redeveloped. This work is ongoing and will continue.
We have raised some questions about this with WDC and meetings will be forthcoming. Our questions relate to identifying:
- Practical and affordable alternatives for longer stay visitors and employees (including permit holders)
- Safe and accessible options for our evening economy staff
- A plan to accommodate visitors during summertime events and the busy period beyond
- Engaging with the County Council (who manages on-street parking) to discuss more spaces and business friendly options
We have carried out our own research to offer practical ideas and support, and have reached out to the Royal Priors to understand car park usage there. We also welcome your thoughts.
We understand that the operational part of the multi-storey (270 spaces) represents around 17% of the town’s off-street parking supply and this impacts customers, employees and permit holders. When the car park was fully operational (511 spaces) before the top levels were closed, it represented 26% of the town’s off-street supply and it is one of two 24 hours / long stay car parks in the heart of the town.
As noted in the press release, WDC recently reduced the price of ‘all day’ parking to £3 in ‘south town’ car parks following discussions with BID Leamington which we hope will benefit some. Last year around 100 additional spaces have been added behind the train station. (Note, we are making representations for reduced rates in the north of the town too, along with incentives to attract customers at key trading times – so these conversations continue). We are aware that the south town is some distance from businesses in the north, so are seeking details of the new parking offer at Riverside House also.
In the meantime, please be reassured we will do everything we can to help mitigate the impact of this change – and value your feedback and support. As highlighted in our new BID Business Plan which will be published in February, in the coming year we will navigate a number of town centre developments and proposed changes to mobility and parking including on Parade. BID Leamington are the business voice on the Leamington Transformation Group which will be an important body overseeing these developments and defining a future vision. We will be stronger if we work together.
We have a newsletter with spring and summer opportunities coming out soon and look forward to connecting with those that can make our business meeting on the 8th of February.
Best wishes,
Steph, Alison and Gary
Image Credit: Google Maps
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 18, 2022 | Latest News
Hi everyone,
Please read on for a quick update on the November 17th budget announcement and the implications for your business, our work to secure improved parking rates, and our ongoing Christmas activities. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries.
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1. Budget Summary & Implications for Your Business
On the 17th of November, the new Chancellor announced a series of fiscal measures that will have an impact on high streets, businesses and BIDs. Our partners at The BID Foundation have kindly analysed the Treasury’s 70-page publication and summarised the key points in a PDF – download by clicking here. Below are a few points that stood out to us, particularly as we have been lobbying for additional support for some time. Although we know there is more to do, the commitments provide some much-needed certainty for the year ahead.
- There is positive news on business rates with 75% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure sectors – up to £110,000 per business, in 2023/24. Effectively those in these sectors currently receiving the tapered support rate of 66% relief, a legacy of COVID-19 response, will continue to receive support. This means many businesses will continue to save thousands of pounds a year; an unexpected and very welcome announcement.
- There will be a revaluation of properties in 2023 – this will happen on 1st April 2023 based on rental market values at 1 April 2021. The expectation is that over 2/3 of properties will not rise in value (the revaluation point was mid-COVID crisis, when a significant impact on the rental market was evidenced in many locations). Our analysis of BID levy-paying businesses is that 85% will see their ratable value (and associated business rates liability) drop. The existing and future rateable value of your property can now be viewed on the VOA website here: https://www.gov.uk/find-business-rates
- For those that will see an increase in business rates, there is more support announced:
- Multipliers frozen in 2023/24
- Transitional relief available – a significant package of £13.6bn over 5 years will provide support to those businesses that see their rates burden rise because of the April 1st.
- Downward caps abolished – another very welcome reform. If properties are rated downwards, there will be no cap on the effective saving that businesses will make.
- £600 upward cap for SBRR / RR – any business that is effectively uprated out of the Small Business Rates Relief scheme or Rural Relief scheme, will see a £600 upward cap imposed. (Note we have 5 properties coming into the BID in this group).
- No online sales tax
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2. Town Centre Car Parking
At the beginning of 2022, the cost of parking in Warwick District Council (WDC) car parks rose substantially (to £7.00 all day from £3.50 in Covent Garden and higher elsewhere). Many customers and employees raised concerns with us and others about this and we have continued to discuss this with WDC throughout the year.
With the cost of living crisis biting deep we are pleased to announce some progress which we hope will support local visitors and employees over Christmas and into the year ahead. This is viewed as the ‘start’ of a more responsive relationship where we can consider further improvements and incentives in future. Some of the changes that have been agreed upon include:
- Free Parking in Warwick District Council (WDC) Off Street Car Parks on Saturday 3rd December for Small Business Saturday.
- Free Parking in Warwick District Council (WDC) Off Street Car Parks on Sundays in December
- Free Parking in WDC Riverside House Car Park on Milverton Hill on weekends (Saturday & Sunday): Open from 8am – 7pm on the 3/4, 10/11, 17/18 December and until 6pm on Saturday 24 December.
- New Year parking for £3.00 all day in the four WDC South Town Car parks from 8am each day.
You can read more about this by clicking here.
We are grateful for the help of Cllr Liam Bartlett who recently joined the BID Leamington Board for his advocacy on this issue. You can read his comments on the local BBC news website – and further on the Warwickshire World website and Kenilworth News website, where discussions with ourselves are referenced.
Please note, seven-day charges will remain in place throughout December for the on-street parking spaces which are operated by Warwickshire Council County Council (WCC). Our talks with WCC, which include improvements to the payment machines, continue.
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2. Green Grant (for SMEs, up to 40%)
Don’t forget Warwickshire County Council has announced a new ‘Green Grant’ scheme. As always, there are various eligibility requirements. In this case, it is for businesses whose operations can be defined at least 50% Business to Consumer and who employ 50 people or less. We see this scheme as potentially beneficial to businesses who may have already been considering investing in this area – and therefore have the funds to hand (as this covers 40% and the business must invest 60%).
Following a free energy audit, the grant may fund up to 40% of the investment businesses wish to make – and are between £1000 and £20,000. The following items are often identified in an energy audit and provide examples of activities that may be eligible for grant assistance, should the carbon saving per tonne per £1,000 invested be achievable:
- Lighting – LED, controls, sensors
- Heating – replacement boilers/burners, upgrades – electric to gas, zone control, heat recovery, oil to gas, thermal stores,
- Compressors
- Ventilation – fans, distribution
- Refrigeration
- Renewable technologies
- Recycling and waste – compactors, balers and crushers
Please see the website for more details: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/greengrants
We are happy to help with any questions also.
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3. Looking Forwards, BID Support – Please Stay in Touch
Throughout December we continue to showcase your businesses and products on our websites and social media platforms and this will continue into the New Year. Importantly if you are doing late-night shopping or your circumstance change please let us know so we can update our websites and let the wider community know. Also, please email us content and ‘tag’ us in your social media posts.
The Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page, Instagram, twitter and www.loveleamington.com is where we showcase what you are now doing.
Please also join our Leamington Town Centre Facebook Group if you haven’t already and share your ideas, information, promotions etc. We also post updates on the BID Leamington Facebook Page and information on our refreshed BID website: www.bidleamington.com. The business tookbox also contains helpful ideas to make the most out of Christmas.
Very best wishes – please take care and stay in touch.
Steph, Alison and Gary
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Note: Dates For the Diary:
- Christmas Scratch Cards: 21st Nov – 16th December (these go to print next week, so please let us know if you have prizes to offer or instant win offers)
- Social Media Showcase: 21st Nov – 20th December (let us know if you wish to feature)
- Santa’s Post Box – Royal Priors: 3rd – 24th December
- Leamington Lantern Parade: Sunday 4th December
- Christmas Tree Festival: 10th – 18th December (Organised by Whittle Productions)
- Myton Hospice Santa Dash: 11th December (starts in Victoria Park – organised by Myton Hospice)
- Santa’s Train – Regent Court: 17th -18th December
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 2, 2022 | Latest News
A popular Leamington barber – who will have been cutting hair in the town for 65 years this Christmas – will swap his comb and scissors for the Leamington Christmas light-swich on this year.
Tony Eden – who runs Anthony Eden Barbers in Clarendon Street, alongside his son, Kristian, and friend, Daren Papworth – has been invited to be part of the Christmas lights switch-on in the town on Sunday, November 6.
Tony will join the Mayor of Leamington, Councillor Nick Wilkins, and local boxing hero Lewis Williams, who won Gold in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games earlier this year, at the event at 5.30pm.
Stephanie Kerr, the Executive Director of BID Leamington, popped into the salon with Kate Livingstone, the manager of the switch on event, to let him know the surprise news after receiving a tip off from Daren that Tony is turning 80 in November.
Stephanie said: “Tony is well-known and well-loved character in the town and when we found it was his special birthday just a few days after the switch-on, we thought it would be a lovely surprise to invite him to be part of the ceremony.
“The switch-on is always a fantastic, family event and it is great to be able to involve a real family business from the town.”
Tony, who is married to Anne and has four children – Joanna, Paul, Karen and Christian – started cutting hair when he left school at 15 and within a few years was running his own barbers.
Daren said: “Tony is a really popular guy. Everyone knows him and I am sure he could go out in the evening in Leamington without a penny on him because everyone wants to buy him a drink! It’s getting on for 65 years working as a barber so he will have cut thousands of heads of hair.
“I think it is fitting that he will have the honour of switching on the lights this Christmas because he loves the town and, it’s fair to say, the town loves him!”
Tony said: “I am honoured to be invited to be asked to turn the Christmas Lights on this year and was very surprised and humbled. I will be celebrating my 80th birthday this year and this is really wonderful way to mark the occasion.”
Photo Caption: Kate Livingstone, Entertainment Manager for Leamington Christmas Light Switch on 2022 presenting Tony Eden of Anthony Eden Barbers an invitation to join the switch on ceremony.
by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 21, 2022 | Latest News
Hi everyone,
As always there is a lot happening on many fronts. Please click here for our most recent newsletter – in a digital format. This covers the information discussed at our recent Business Meeting last week. Our thanks to the businesses who attended and shared their views and ideas. As contained within we are listening to concerns around parking, rough sleepers and other issues, and we are speaking to Council Leaders about this.
1. In the Newsletter
There are a number of opportunities we wish to highlight as follows:
- Events: We are planning a variety of Christmas activities and events. Please see the Christmas Calendar for key dates and let us know if you wish to get involved in some way.
- Flyer Request: There is still time to give us up to 500 flyers to be distributed in our goodie bags on Small Business Saturday – 3rd December. Please drop them into the BID office before 25th November.
- Free Parking Days in town: Warwick District Council off-Street Car Parks ONLY (not on-street – as this is County Council run)
- Sunday 6th November – Christmas Light Switch-on
- Saturday 3rd December – Small Business Saturday
- Photo & Copy Request: The new Royal Leamington Spa website is LIVE. Please check your profile is up to date and correct. If not, please send us your logo and photos. Here is how:
- Please upload your business logo and 3 x landscape images at the link below – and you will see all the details including the minimum size (200kb).
- Upload here: https://bidleamington.com/member-photo-form/
- Password: leamington (lowercase).
- Business to Business Offers: Do you have any offers you wish to promote to fellow business owners and employees? We now have a space on the BID website to do this and if there is enough interest, we will put together a mailer. Please email us the details and images.
- Student or Customer Offers: These can be promoted on the refreshed www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk website. Please email us the details and images.
2. Dates For the Diary:
- Pumpkin Path: 22nd – 31st October
- Autumn & Christmas Markets* Sundays on Parade: From 2nd October (no market on Remembrance Sunday) (Organised by Warwick District Council with CJ Events – not BID Leamington)
- Leamington Christmas Light Switch On: Sunday 6th November (Organised by WDC)
- Christmas Scratch Cards: 21st Nov – 16th December (these go to print next week, so please let us know if you have prizes to offer or instant win offers)
- Social Media Showcase: 21st Nov – 20th December (let us know if you wish to feature)
- Small Business Saturday & Christmas Goodie Bag Giveaway: Saturday 3rd December
- BID Leamington – flyer distribution deadline 25th November
- Santa’s Post Box – Royal Priors: 3rd – 24th December
- Leamington Lantern Parade: Sunday 4th December
- Christmas Tree Festival: 10th – 18th December (Organised by Whittle Productions)
- Myton Hospice Santa Dash: 11th December (starts in Victoria Park – organised by Myton Hospice)
- Santa’s Train – Regent Court: 17th -18th December (TBC)
3. BID Survey
We have received feedback from over 100 businesses so thank you! Your input is vital in helping shape our priorities. Please let us know if you would like to set up a time to chat through our activities and the support we can offer to your business.
4. Lobbying for Support – Energy Crisis
Despite all of the political turmoil, we are still working behind the scenes on a joint campaign with industry leaders to secure urgent additional support for businesses facing escalating costs. We know the energy price rises, businesses are facing, are not sustainable and that this is on top of labour shortages and price rises for insurance, wages, national insurance, haulage, repairs etc. We are focusing on ‘asks’ that we know from our lobbying experience can be swiftly delivered and are impactful. We want it to help all business sectors. We are still looking for case studies as well as businesses happy to speak to the press. Thank you to those who have already shared information with us.
5. Green Grant (for SMEs, up to 40%)
Warwickshire County Council has announced a new ‘Green Grant’ scheme today. As always, there are various eligibility requirements. In this case, it is for businesses whose operations can be defined at least 50% Business to Consumer and who employ 50 people or less. We see this scheme as potentially beneficial to businesses who may have already been considering investing in this area – and therefore have the funds to hand (as this covers 40% and the business must invest 60%).
Following a free energy audit, the grant may fund up to 40% of the investment businesses wish to make – and are between £1000 and £20,000. The following items are often identified in an energy audit and provide examples of activities that may be eligible for grant assistance, should the carbon saving per tonne per £1,000 invested be achievable:
- Lighting – LED, controls, sensors
- Heating – replacement boilers/burners, upgrades – electric to gas, zone control, heat recovery, oil to gas, thermal stores,
- Compressors
- Ventilation – fans, distribution
- Refrigeration
- Renewable technologies
- Recycling and waste – compactors, balers and crushers
Please see the website for more details: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/greengrants
We are happy to help with any questions also.
6. Looking Forwards, BID Support – Please Stay in Touch
Throughout December we will showcase your businesses and products on our websites and social media platforms and this will continue into the New Year. Importantly if you are doing late night shopping or your circumstance change please let us know so we can update our websites and let the wider community know. Also, please email us content and ‘tag’ us into your social media posts.
The Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page, Instagram, twitter and www.loveleamington.com is where we showcase what you are now doing.
Please also join our Leamington Town Centre Facebook Group if you haven’t already and share your ideas, information, promotions etc. We also post updates on the BID Leamington Facebook Page and information on our refreshed BID website: www.bidleamington.com. The business tookbox also contains helpful ideas to make the most out of Christmas.
Very best wishes – please take care and stay in touch.
Steph, Alison and Gary
by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 8, 2022 | Latest News
Businesses are Counting Down the Days to Collapse
Following rumours of an energy price freeze, over 150,000 businesses from across the UK are urging Government to act on spiralling energy costs which are proving more detrimental than the pandemic. The #BusinessSOS campaign warns of mass closure and redundancies if immediate and effective action isn’t taken – the true situation that Britain faces today.
The newly formed #BusinessSOS campaign, founded by organisations representing over 150,000 retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses warns harm caused by the spiralling energy crisis is superseding the pandemic with the potential to cause irreversible damage to UK high streets and the economy.
The #BusinessSOS campaign believes mass closures and redundancies are inevitable if Government does not swiftly implement measures that alleviate the critical pressures that businesses, like households, have been facing since April 2022.
#BusinessSOS three-point-plan to support ailing businesses:
Reduce VAT
- Headline rate reduced from 20% to 12.5%
- Business energy bills reduced from 20% to 5% to match domestic billing
Business Rates Relief
- 100% rate relief until 31st March 2023
Energy Rate Relief
- A discounted kwh price on all business energy bills
Matthew Sims, Founder of #BusinessSOS campaign and CEO of Croydon BID said,
“The new Prime Minister has days to save the high street as we know it. The impending announcement on how the Government will tackle the energy crisis facing businesses will either ensure businesses can remain trading or set in motion mass closures and redundancies. To say the energy crisis is worse that the pandemic is not an understatement, it is the reality facing businesses today and why the clock is ticking for the new Government to provide clarity and introduce measures providing tangible and immediate relief.”
Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director, BID Leamington said:
“BID Leamington is supporting the Business SOS campaign which calls for critical support for businesses as spiralling energy costs alongside other increases threaten the sustainability of businesses and our town centre.
“In some cases, their energy bills have more than tripled, alongside facing labour shortages and increases in the cost of insurance, wages, deliveries, haulage, products and more. This level of inflation cannot be passed onto the customer, as they too face cost of living challenges.
“Alongside this desperately needed government support, we are also calling on our Local Authority partners to identify support initiatives that they can deliver locally to help businesses, staff and customers.”
Andrew Taylor, Founder of #BusinessSOS campaign and Managing Director of Bart & Taylor said,
“Without immediate intervention local communities will change forever as they lose their social spaces. For the first time in living memory, energy costs are now greater than rent and increasing on a daily basis in the absence of any intervention or price cap since April. After surviving the pandemic it seems ludicrous that the needs of businesses are currently not being heard and could see the billions of funding provided during the pandemic go to waste.”
Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, said,
“The hospitality sector is crucial to delivering the business-led growth the new Government is striving for, but we are facing an existential crisis due to soaring energy bills. We’re encouraged by the new Prime Minister’s commitment to tackling energy prices, but we need to see urgent, comprehensive action. As well as a price freeze, we need to see a cut to VAT and a business rates holiday if businesses in the sector are to have any hope of making it through the winter.”
Bill Addy CEO of Liverpool BID and Chair of The BID Foundation said,
“Businesses recognise that they benefited from the immediate support given them during the pandemic but we are in danger of all that support being thrown away as those same businesses that have worked valiantly to recover will be decimated by the cost of living crisis. Business is now at a watershed moment that needs an urgent response from our new Prime Minister, they need hope and certainty if they are to survive. It is business that will ensure that UK can grew the economy out of the coming recession but do that business needs to survive and that requires urgent action.”
Ojay McDonald, CEO of Association of Town and City Management said,
“Right now, businesses are already deciding to scale back or shut up shop for good. The knock-on impact on employment is unimaginably bad. We need decisive action from the government now to save the high street.
Let’s not shy away from how comprehensive this support needs to be. Energy prices have been unsustainable for months. We are at the stage where a price freeze is inadequate. Discounts on the cost of energy are vital. We also need to halt the decline of consumer confidence to keep businesses trading. That’s why this three-point plan on energy, VAT and businesses rates as a combination is the right route to take.”
Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association said,
“Over the last week we have seen a huge escalation in closure notices from pubs, bars, restaurants, venues and clubs across the country, with over 70% of businesses stating they will be financially compromised within weeks, all of which have stated untenable operating costs as reasons too close.”
“The industry’s future is finely balanced between the delivery of an imminent survival package by the new Chancellor and continued consumer spend and confidence!”
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said:
“The pub and brewing sector makes a huge contribution to our economy in high streets and local communities throughout the country, yet it still remains in a precarious position after the pandemic. Immediate action on energy is critical, but investment in our sector for the long-term is also essential. As the PM works towards a fiscal statement and full budget we hope she will seriously consider a cut to business rates and VAT so Britain’s pubs and brewers can get back on their feet fully and thrive in the communities they proudly serve.”
Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound said,
“For the UK’s inbound visitor economy, a £28.4 billion export industry, to continue its recovery and exceed pre-pandemic levels, a fully functioning domestic leisure, retail and hospitality industry is absolutely paramount, however the current inflation and energy crisis is set to derail this. We need swift and decisive action from Government to safeguard businesses and jobs across the country.
For all media enquiries and interviews, please contact Katie Blake on 07827812813
