N.S.E.P. C.I.C.
Riverside Business Centre
Tel: +44 (0)1502 576888 Fax: +44 (0)1502 531988
E: http://www.countmeout.org.uk
Latest News Bulletin - Updates March 2008
Now I have been in post for a little while and I have met a number of people I thought we should set up some regular retail meetings, it would be great to see as many of you as possible at these meetings so that we can all have our say as to how we take Lowestoft forward.
The meetings will be held in BHS at 3pm on the following dates:
Tuesday 3rd June 2008
Tuesday 5th August 2008
Tuesday 7th October 2008
Tuesday 2nd December 2008
If you have any problems with any of these then please let me know, can you e-mail me on .
Forthcoming Events
I would like to explain a little bit more about what we are trying to achieve for Lowestoft in 2008.
As a Town we would like to encourage the local community back into the centre following the disruption of the bridge closures.
We are hoping to put on a number of events this year starting with The Transport Show – offering all garages, dealers and transport related companies the opportunity to display their vehicles in the Town – the monies raised by this event will then be used to put on more events through the year.
We are hosting a second Transport Show Lowestoft On The Move on 9th and 10th August 2008
French Market 24th, 25th and 26th May 2008
Christmas Light Switch On 22nd November 2008
Synthetic ice rink 13th and 14th December 2008 on the Triangle all being well
Emma Jones
Business Support Officer
Lowestoft Town Management Partnership
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RETAIL MEETINGS Updates .
Minutes from the LTMP Retail Meeting
Tuesday 3rd June 2008
Attended by:
Emma - LTMP
James Reeder
Sue - Chadds,
Neil - Britten Centre,
Baz – Bhs
Val on behalf of Mike from Westgates
Amanda – M& S
Jo – Waterstones
David – Pizza Pancakes
Carole – Yarmouth Stores
Dianne & Babs – Boots
Philip – Claremont Pier
David - Jarrolds
Paul - WDC
1.Welcome
Emma welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2008
2. Update of LTMP
Emma gave a brief update of her role to date since joining the LTMP and the objectives for the future. Emma explained that she has been helped in her role by a small steering group of people whose support she has found invaluable and she hopes will continue.
3. Christmas late night shopping
Friday evenings, first evening 21/11/08 till 9pm (rest of evenings timings TBC)
Christmas lights switch on Saturday 22 /11/08 at 6pm – shops open until 7pm
4. Christmas History Event – Awards For All
Emma explained that she is in the process of applying for a lottery grant to stage a history pageant of Lowestoft through the years; if successful this is planned for the Christmas Light Switch on Weekend.
5. Car parking
It was agreed by all that car parking prices in the town were having a negative effect on shoppers, Emma has been in discussion with WDC regarding incentives, it was agreed that at her next meeting with WDC Emma should put forward the idea of either 50p per hour parking or £1 for two hours. Update: Emma has spoken to WDC and they are keen on £1 for two hours idea and are currently looking into that and revisiting other pricing structures.
6. Parking Vouchers
Sue from Chadds explained how successful her voucher in The Journal has been offering 2 hours free parking and Emma asked for other retailers to help support this scheme as The Journal are prepared to print the voucher free of charge and the only charge to the retailers will be reimbursing the customer. Paul Moss suggested that Emma speak to WDC regarding a two part ticket for this venture.
7. Weekly Market
Emma put forward the idea of a weekly market running from Station Square to the High St and beyond if possible. Everyone agreed this would draw people into Lowestoft and were very keen to take the idea forward. Update: Emma met with WDC who are also very positive about the idea, it is now in the hands of the legal department to decide how to progress – Emma will continue to follow this through.
8. Veterans Day
Neil Fincham kindly gave us an update on the Veterans Day Parade to be held on Saturday 21/06/08 – Royal salute to be taken at Britten Centre, Royal Anglians “B” Company, Freedom of Lowestoft. Cubs, scouts, army cadets and bands all taking part. Neil going to progress meeting on 4.6.08.
9. Somerfields
Somerfields site is due to reopen in September 2008
10. Wine, Beer and Food Festival
Emma explained about the possibility of staging a Wine, Beer and Food Festival in London Road North, she would need to look at the safety aspect and how to police the event, the breweries would hold the alcohol licence
10. Funfair
It has been suggested that we hold a Funfair on London Road North prior to the Air show to encourage the people who attend the air show to visit the Town Centre. Update: Emma has asked for details of flight simulators. We have had some concerns regarding the suitability of a funfair for the Town Centre and are still looking into the trading licences etc.. Emma has invited Lings Honda and The Air Festival Committee to use the Town Centre to advertise their event by possibly bringing Power Boats etc which will enable the public to get a closer look in the days leading up to the air show.
11. Events
18th, 19th, 20th July – French Market – update: this may be postponed
Ice Rink – update: Emma is waiting for a meeting on 17th June and then will be able to confirm if we can go ahead with the Ice Rink on The Triangle, Emma has spoken to Cozens lighting about sponsoring the lighting for the event; we will need to look for sponsorship for other areas of the event.
12. Other Business
Carnival – Emma stated that she has had no luck with bringing the carnival through London Road North, Paul Moss stated that during the Sunrise Scheme the pedestrian area was designed with this in mind so he felt we should continue to push for the carnival to come through London Road North, it was agreed that this would be our mission – Update: Emma has been told that the police do not have a problem with the carnival coming through London Road North and WDC are positive about it too – Emma has emailed the carnival committee to see how we take this forward.
Underage Drinking – Phil from Claremont Pier enlightened us on the problems of underage drinking on the seafront and the lack of police and PCSO’s. Gt Yarmouth has a drinking ban Emma to find out how this was put in to action. Update: Babs from Boots kindly informed Emma that this was put in place by the police in Gt Yarmouth.
Next Meeting – 5th August 2008 – 3pm at BHS
12.05.08. .
Just a quick update on some of the issues raised:
Car Parking and market – I am meeting with Sue Keeble from WDC today.
Christmas Lights – I have discussed Neil’s idea regarding hiring of Christmas lights through his contact but we are unable to do this for LTMP as our lights will cover a much larger area and be more expensive, also the lights we have are worth £50,000 and we need to utilise them.
Carnival – I have spoken to one of the committee members regarding the carnival coming through Town and unfortunately due to the health and safety aspects it is unable to come through London Road North.
Chadds have been offering free two hours parking and it has proved to be an enormous success as people love freebies and it encourages them to come into your store and stay in town for longer.
The Journal would like to help us with this voucher system and are very keen for other retailers to get involved to help bring people back into Lowestoft, to join in with the voucher scheme please contact me ASAP – don’t miss this chance to work together and increase our footfall. have now spoken to Russell at The Journal regarding the free parking.
14.05.08
He will place the 2 hours free parking voucher in the paper free of charge if you can supply your logo to enable him to brand the advert, the only cost to the retailers is reimbursement to the customer when they show their till receipt for your store and their parking ticket.
Can you let me know ASAP if you are interested as he is looking at starting this from next week if possible.
Business Support Officer
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BENEFITS OF THE PARTNERSHIP
The LTMP is a partnership of like-minded town centre businesses with the aim of improving business performance and to promote Lowestoft as an attractive, bustling environment for people to live, work and visit. The member businesses of the LTMP will work with the, public, private, voluntary and community groups to enhance and improve services in the town through its community arm The LTMP COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE
As a part of the Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce the Lowestoft Town Management Partnership works to represent the views of retail and tourism businesses in the town - Business led and business driven
MEMBERSHIP of the LTMP
Regular meetings are held where your views are aired and issues explored affecting your business in the town
Quarterly meetings between the District Council and Chamber Council allow us to voice your opinions, put forward ideas and make a difference
Regular meetings with the Chamber of Commerce Executive and the Urban Regeneration Company allow us to input your ideas on the regeneration and development of your town
Strong links with local media (radio, TV newspaper) - give you enhanced media opportunities
Benefit from successful event organisation - 178,000 people attended the six Sunday Funday events in 2005
Benefit from the good news stories and increased publicity generated by the Partnership’s office in the local media and its GOLD PATRONAGE of The Lowestoft Journal and Beach Radio
The Partnership office also co-ordinates or organises:
Late night shopping nights,
Christmas trading times and bank holiday opening in the town centre
Sponsorship and erection of hanging baskets and Christmas lights
Shop Assistant of the Year Award, and a Best Bar person of the year award
Ensures your membership fee continually represents excellent value for money
The Crime reduction initiatives administered by the LTMP are supported by Suffolk Constabulary, and the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
We have a number of CDRP sponsored radios to give to new members when they join the partnership.
The Partnership is a highly regarded organisation and members are consulted on their opinions - so have you say - join today
