Ripon Business Improvement District (BID), has reflected on a busy first year, while looking forward to plans for the future.
Speaking at Monday evening’s annual review meeting in the Claro Lounge, BID manager Lilla Bathurst, said that the objective has been to generate increased footfall and profits for businesses in the Ripon city region, by raising its profile and making it more attractive to visitors and local residents.
She pointed out that initiatives undertaken since the BID came into being last autumn, have ranged from steam cleaning of more than 5,000 square metres of streets and ginnels, to supporting festivals and events and launching the Ripon Apprenticeship and Training Hub (RATH).
Other activities in the year include the installation of lighting in ginnels and alleyways, working alongside Ripon in Bloom to fund new floral displays and providing free, independent consultancy advice to businesses to help them identify savings that can be made on energy and other bills.
Ms Bathurst, said:
“It has been a busy first year and we thank all businesses that have worked with us to make Ripon and more vibrant place.”
She added:
“Looking ahead, we are planning further investment in home-grown events, a continuing programme of cleaning and greening, the full launch of RATH in schools and through employer networking events and progressing our wayfinding initiative.”
BID board member Rick Jones, owner of Valentino’s and the Water Rat gastro pub, said:
“Plans are in hand to introduce a walking map of Ripon, that will be available in all car parks and other locations, where there will be information boards.
“This will help to guide people and encourage them to explore all areas of the city.”
Fellow board member and leader of Ripon City Council, Andrew Williams, pointed out:
“The council is spending an additional £40,000 on Christmas lights this year, with the aim of attracting more visitors and increasing footfall, so that people with disposable income spend their money here.”
Chair of the BID board and owner of Newby Hall Richard Compton, who chaired the meeting, said:
“We are committed to creating an environment that will help businesses in Ripon and the outlying areas to succeed and a great deal has been achieved in a relatively short space of time.”
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Flower power to flood Harrogate in summer competition
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.
Flower power to flood Harrogate in summer competition
Town centre shops are pulling out all the stops to take part in a floral competition organised by Harrogate BID.
The Floral Summer of Celebration will see the organisation work with Harrogate in Bloom to stage the contest after a two-year absence.
More than a dozen businesses have already signed up across five categories as they aim to live up to Harrogate’s reputation for floral excellence.
Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said:
“Harrogate is famed as a floral town, and to mark this wonderful heritage we are staging a Floral Summer of Celebration.
“This will take place between July 15 and August 12, and will see the town centre become home to a floral trail featuring eight unique displays. There will also be an exhibition in Victoria Shopping Centre looking at different aspects of Harrogate’s floral history.
“Floral-themed shop windows will play a big part in this celebration, and we hope as many businesses as possible will participate in the competition.
“We already have more than a dozen businesses signed up, and with three weeks to go, I’m confident they will be joined by plenty more.
“The floral displays will be located across the town centre, and together with dozens of hanging baskets outside town centre businesses, the numerous flower beds maintained by Harrogate Borough Council, more than 200 barrier baskets funded by Harrogate BID, and some specially commissioned floral street art, Harrogate will be a blaze of colour and well worth a visit.”
The project is being supported by Harrogate Borough Council through the government’s Covid-19 business recovery funding.
There are three weeks left for businesses to sign up before judging takes place, with criteria including first impression, overall design, containers’ size and style, and condition of plants.
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Charity seeks sponsor to maintain vital minibus service
A sponsor is being sought for a vital transport service provided by a Harrogate charity.
Harrogate Skills for Living Centre (HS4LC) runs a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) to enable its service users and residents to get around.
With adaptable seating, it can carry up to two wheelchairs and was in use throughout the pandemic to ensure people could access important services.
Now, a partner is being sought to support the service, which costs £1,500 a month to lease, or to buy a new vehicle for around £35,000. It could carry the sponsor’s branding to show the company is supporting a local charity.
HS4LC CEO Hadyn Moorby-Davies said:
“The WAV is an absolute lifeline for our residents and other service users and frees them from reliance on public transport services.
“During the pandemic, it was the only way some of our residents could get out. Both our care homes use the WAV regularly both for local shopping trips and trips further afield, for instance out to the countryside and coast.
“The only downside is sharing it across services as the demand is always there. In reality we could do with two or even three!”
For more information about sponsoring the vehicle, contact HS4LC.
Until a partner is found, HS4LC continues fundraising to keep the minibus on the road. To donate, visit the JustGiving page.