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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Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Ripon BID has launched a training hub with the aim of bringing students and local businesses together.

The Ripon Apprenticeship & Training Hub (RATH) will help engage 14-16 year olds into the work place to promote career development, soft skills and good work ethics.

RATH has been set up by the Ripon Business Improvement District (BID) which was established last year.

The BID said that through paid work placements and close mentoring, students will learn good working standards at the very start of their career paths and businesses will be able to access staff when needed.

Annette Duffy, BID Director and RATH lead says

“We’ve employed students for a few years now with great results. Our recruits have lots of enthusiasm and are keen to learn and I love watching them grown in confidence.

This is an exciting new hub to accelerate these opportunities for local businesses and school children. The website is live and opportunities are already online.”

Alexander Pickering, Ripon Grammar School student on a Specsavers placement adds

“I was thrilled to play a small part in a much bigger team of people at Specsavers, in helping to save someone’s sight. I never expected to learn so much and achieve something so worthwhile during my work experience.”

RATH will be attending the Summer FunFest day on August 18 at Studley Cricket Club and is encouraging students to come down, have a go at the activities and talk to the team about work and training opportunities.

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Cheese auction raises money for Samaritans

Cheese lovers at the Great Yorkshire Show raised over £5,500 for the Samaritans which will go towards supporting rural communities in need.

An auction is held every year in the Cheese and Dairy Section of the Great Yorkshire Show, giving visitors the chance to bid for a round of their favourite cheese.

This year’s auction raised £5,579 which will go to The Samaritan’s Regional Rural Initiative for the benefit of rural communities.

Alison Lumley from the Samaritans of Yorkshire & Humberside Rural Initiative said:

“Thank you for such a generous donation to Samaritans of Yorkshire & Humberside Rural Initiative. The Samaritans understand that those involved in farming or living in rural communities are especially likely to experience isolation and loneliness, on top of all the pressures of work. We know that talking to someone confidentially about your feelings without fear of judgement can be a massive help.

This donation will be used to support our work raising awareness of the benefits to mental health of talking and of the availability of our 24/7, free to access emotional support service.”

The Samaritans can be contacted on the phone free on 116 123 or email  jo@samaritans.org .