As you may have seen, and as outlined in our Bid4Bury business plan, we are now in the final stages of bringing in the new management board made up of town centre businesses, for the Bury St Edmunds BID, Bid4Bury. Since the successful vote in December, we have been complying with legal requirements in order to meet BID legislation, as well as changing the company constitution to ensure we operate the BID within the company rules, ready for its commencement this year. Thankfully these requirements are now drawing to a close and we can get on with fulfilling the projects once the funding starts to come in.
For the management board itself, we asked for expressions of interest from town centre businesses, and are pleased with the level of interest that has been shown. It is now up to the levy paying businesses to vote for which of the nominee’s they would like to represent their interests for the management of the BID.There are eight vacancies on the new board.
The closing date for the vote will be Wednesday, 17th March 2010. The nominee's are:-
Ron Blackmore The Fox Inn Eastgate StProprietor at the Fox Inn for 6 years – www.thefoxinnbury.co.uk. Bringing an entrepreneurial and corporate, 10 years with Greene King (business development and marketing) management mix. I would expect to join a team who would always:-
- be dynamic, focussed and driven with skills and disciplines from all business sectors including hospitality
- have an holistic approach to BSE, the brand and image
- deliver a mixed innovative and traditional marketing strategy
- achieve ‘real’ value from every £
Steve Blake Benson Blakes St Johns St
I have always been a small independent business owner and would be proud to represent a town of so many small, great businesses. I have strong opinions and like to make things happen. I would like to be part of the board to make sure that all monies are spent for the good of the town and not on services that we should be receiving from Central or Local Government
John Deane Bowers Trotter & Deane Abbeygate St
Founder and MD of Trotter & Deane, award winning menswear retailer and Vice Chair of TCM
The bid for Bury agenda is the first real opportunity for our town centre business community to shape the future. During this new era of public/private partnership I am confident of my ability to clarify the challenges faced by the independent sector.There is a need for a greater understanding of the Brand of Bury and for a cohesive approach to marketing what should be one of the UK's finest market towns.
Helen Exworth Waitrose Robert Boby Way
Having worked in retail management, predominantly in a customer service capacity, for the last 15 years, I have a real passion for working as part of a team to help drive new initiatives. I would really like to see Bid4Bury exceed all expectations and help to support the town community in facing the continuing challenges. Waitrose has enjoyed contributing to Town Centre Management (TCM) throughout and would like to be part of a pro-active, intuitive community.
Chris Grady Theatre Royal Westgate St
I am the new Head of External Relations of the Theatre Royal working with the marketing, box office and development teams. Over 30 years I’ve opened or managed attractions and festivals in Edinburgh, Buxton, Plymouth and Keswick focusing on tourism and market enhancement for the area, always being part of a regional business network. I hope to bring arts, tourism and marketing energy as a new boy to the town, learning much from long-established colleagues.
Chrissy Harrod Cornhill Walk SC Cornhill Walk
I have great passion for our beautiful town, and have been a member of Town Centre Management since its inception. With Bid4Bury we have a fantastic opportunity to further improve the trading environment in the town centre for businesses, visitors and residents. I believe the board members for the BID Company should not only ensure that the BID fulfils its Business Plan commitments, but also becomes strongly involved in decisions made for the town which affect all businesses.
Paul Haynes Arc Management Arc
I’m manager of arc shopping centre and I’ve worked on Business Improvement Districts in Taunton and Leamington Spa. I’ve also supported town centre management initiatives in Ipswich, Coventry, Luton and now Bury St Edmunds.arc shop tenants already contribute to a service charge the equivalent of a BID levy and then will pay on top of this the BID levy itself. I am therefore keen to use this experience for the benefit of the town.
Stephen Hunt Anglia Newspapers Kings Road
An experienced accountant, in both private and public sector environments, who as a member of the senior executive of the Bury Free Press delivers strong financial control, budget setting and reporting to a range of stakeholders. As a lifelong resident of the town, I have a passion for Bury St Edmunds, along with a fresh and challenging mind, ensuring the exciting opportunities Bid4Bury offers Bury are maximised, making efficient use of resources and commercial opportunities.
Daryl Griffiths Burnett Barker Solicitors Hatter St
I have practical management experience covering a wide range of business issues relevant to the realisation and development of the BID. I have also worked with various organisations on a voluntary basis, frequently at board level, and am used to working in partnerships and with government agencies. I welcome the opportunity to play an active part in the BID for the benefit of every business in our town centre.
John Parkington Hair, His & Hers Brentgovel St
Born and educated locally, resident of Bury St Edmunds for the previous 27 years. Following a management career with the N.H.S.; I became a business partner with my wife in the Hair His & Her Salon. A Past Chairman of the W.S.H.F. representing member Salons both locally and nationally. In view of our heritage and local attractions it is important to continue having a diverse economy which has a representation from all sectors, particularly small businesses in the current economic challenging times.
Richard Poole Aubyn Davies St Johns St
I have been retailing in our family menswear and schoolwear business for 26 years, during this time I have seen many changes within the town and have managed to successfully adapt our business accordingly. Aubyn Davies has been trading since 1906 in St Johns Street, host to a good and varied selection of both independent and national shops. Being proactive I am keen to promote the needs and requirements of the independent in today's challenging times.
Daryn Reffell Denny Bros Supplies Kings Road
I have been General Manager of Denny Bros shops for nearly 3 years, now Managing Director. Previously I have had 10 years administrative experience in the Civil Service and also many years in the Pub Trade.I moved to Bury in 2005 where I took over as Manager of Harriets Tea Rooms in Bury and Peterborough. I would relish being part of the Bid4Bury team’s new venture and feel my background would give great support.
Giselle Roadley Battin Palmers Buttermarket & St Andrews St South
Palmers Fashions have been associated with Bury since 1961, one of East Anglia’s largest and oldest independent retailers. I have been associated with Palmers for 30 years and have been store manager for 15 years. I helped launch Palmers Homestore and have overseen a complete refurbishment of the fashion store. I am versatile, creative and motivational, dedicated and enjoy challenges. One of my roles is pulling together creative and compelling ideas to improve company performance whilst maintaining quality, value and exceptional service to our customers.
Lionel Thurlow MLT Architects Whiting St
Being a member of the board is, I believe, an opportunity to build on and improve the commercial, business and living environment of our already unique town. As an Architect who works and has lived in the town core, and twice served as Chairman of Bury St Edmunds Chamber of commerce & Industry, I hope I can bring some knowledge, experience, vision and enthusiasm for the benefit of the town and it’s future.
Bid4Bury are looking for all businesses within Bury St edmunds to update their entry on this new extensive information and business directory website.
What was formerly the moreheart website was taken over by Town Centre Management in 2009 as part of their overall internet information websites. www.bid4bury.com has now just opened as the new umbrella website for business, leisure, Tourism and management information for Bury St Edmunds.
Steve Peters Town Centre Manager said"What we are looking to do now is to update and revamp the business directory part of our website coverage, and ask all businesses to check their entry and inform us of any updated details, to give the most up to date listing of all businesses within the town centre" All update details can be sent or emailed to the TCM office in Guildhall St, or by filling out the details in the 'contact us' section of this website.
Become a Bid4Bury Board Member
The ballot for a Business Improvement District for Bury St Edmunds (Bid4Bury) was successful, with the result declared on Tuesday, 1st December 2009. There are now 103 successful BIDS in the UK. We are now in the process of preparing for commencement of Bid4Bury in April 2010. and our initial aim is to formulate the Bid4Bury board. made up of members, to oversee and ratify the BID Projects. Bid4Bury is a business initiative from the businesses of Bury St Edmunds town centre, to which we believe offers so many opportunities and heralds the start of a new era for the town centre trading environment, where business is definitely in control of business. We would like to receive nominations from any levy paying member of Bid4Bury who would like to take an active interest in the development and realisation of the Bid4Bury business plan. Together with other projects that will undoubtedly come forward following the realisation of the BID. The BID is for an initial duration of 5yrs before a 2nd ballot must take place. We anticipate that the Bid4bury board will commence in February 2010.
There is clearly defined legislation governing all BIDs in the UK to which we must adhere by and will be audited on. Our objectives are to make our projects as successful as possible to the equal benefit of all areas of the Bid4Bury area outlined in the Business Plan, details of which are available on this website.
This is a great opportunity for professionals and individuals from within the Bid4Bury area who are levy paying members, and believe they have something to give to the town centre, are prepared to give some of their time and would like to work together to bring the Bid4Bury projects forward. The closing date for nominations is Monday, 11th January 2010. If more nominations than places are received by that date, there will then follow an election to board from all members of Bid4bury. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact.Bid4Bury is a success!!
Businesses in Bury St Edmunds have voted in favour of taking their future into their own hands by setting up a Business Improvement District in the town centre. The postal ballot closed on Monday 30 November and the count was held in the Corn Exchange, Bury St Edmunds on Tuesday, 1st December. Plans for the BID include better Christmas lights, street rangers and a professional marketing campaign to encourage people to spend their money in Bury St Edmunds.
The Ballot Result is as follows:-
59% by number in favour of setting up the BID
67% in favour by Rateable Value
32.5% Turnout
Bury Town Centre Manager Steve Peters said: "This is excellent news for everyone who works in or visits the town centre for shopping, leisure or business and I’m thrilled this two year project to bring a BID to the town is now here. This is the start of a new era for the town centre, and has the potential to propel Bury further, as a quality shopping and business destination. It's now up to businesses, without any outside interference, to bring the benefits of the BID to their own trading environment. There are highly successful BIDs throughout the country, and every time one comes up for renewal the vote is always in favour, which just goes to show what a huge impact they can have in an area.
To be successful, more than 50% of those taking part in the ballot had to vote in favour, and the total rateable value of those voting also had to be over 50%
Thank you to all businesses who voted
