The Ripon Business Improvement District board has appointed a management team to deliver events and projects aimed at helping local businesses thrive.
Eighty per cent of Ripon traders voted in favour of creating a BID in June. BIDs, which are funded by a levy on local firms, come up with ideas to increase visitor numbers to towns and cities.
Elizabeth Faulkner, former manager of Altrincham BID, has been appointed Ripon BID manager and Lilla Bathurst, who previously worked for Hull BID, has been named assistant Ripon BID manager.
Ms Faulkner worked for tourism organisation Visit Manchester for 12 years. Her experience as a destination marketing specialist was put to good use in Altrincham, where she led the submission that saw the town win the Great British High Street Award in 2018.
Ms Bathurst worked as a stockbroker in the City of London prior to her move north to Hull and change of career. Her initiatives included the award-winning Hull Street Food Nights, which supported the city’s evening economy by increasing footfall.
The two women are excited by the prospect of working alongside businesses to promote Ripon as a destination locally, regionally and nationally.
Ms Faulkner said:
“This is a wonderful city with a rich history and so much more and it’s our job to make as many people as possible aware of what Ripon has to offer.”
Promoting what the city has to offer and increasing footfall are two of the objectives of the Ripon BID
Ms Bathurst added:
“I relocated to the area and soon discovered that it has a great community spirit, with people who work together and have a positive attitude.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with businesses of all sizes who make Ripon such a special place.”
Deep clean
Projects to be delivered over the next few weeks include a deep clean for city streets, the first stage of a way-finding strategy looking at signage and evaluation of Ripon’s destination and social media platforms, material and websites.
In addition, at a time of rising fuel and power costs, businesses will be offered free consultations on ways to save money.
Rick Jones, who owns Valentino’s restaurant and the Water Rat in Ripon, and is a member of BID board, said:
“We are all looking forward to moving things forward through initiatives that focus on many aspects of the Ripon economy, from heritage to hospitality to the city’s retail offer and major visitor attractions, such as Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall.
“There is a collective benefit – If they do well, we all do well and the city thrives.”
“In the first instance, we are getting the foundations right and in the appointment of Elizabeth and Lilla, we have made a great start.”
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