Businesses urged to back new trading district initiative aimed at putting Wallisdown on map
A new initiative has seen the establishment of a Wallisdown Trading District aimed at revving up the area and increasing footfall.
As part of the government’s plans to support the high street post-Covid, Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce (BCTC) has been awarded a one-off grant to re-develop, or launch, trading districts within specific chosen areas.
Jacqui Rock, BCTC President, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to support businesses that are not currently part of the local BID campaigns, helping them create exciting synergy together and developing the area.
“We decided to start with Wallisdown, as it is a busy through route.
“Once we started delving into meeting businesses, there are some great dynamic young business owners with wonderful ideas who are keen to put Wallisdown on the map and get this off the ground.
“The official team to lead the Wallisdown Trading District is currently being finalised.
“However, we are thrilled to confirm that Emily Dillon, Founder and Owner of The Venue Beauty Salon, Wallisdown branch, will take the role of Chair with Kiera Lockett, Owner of Lockett Fuel as Vice Chair.”
Jacqui, pictured left, added: “We urge businesses in Wallisdown to support this initiative and develop a community of like-minded businesses and professionals all based in the same geographical area.
“Without the area working together we simply cannot develop this, and it is such a fantastic opportunity to use this one-off funding to help Wallisdown thrive.
“Businesses have been keen to engage with us so now is the time to act and get involved.”
Wendy King, BCTC Trade Group Liaison Officer, said: “Meeting local businesses in Wallisdown and seeing how they are really keen to work together to improve the area and put Wallisdown back on the map is inspirational.
“We have some very enthusiastic individuals on board to make this happen.”
The first official meeting to review how businesses would like to see the funding allocated will take place on Wednesday October 13.
Businesses are encouraged to contact Wendy for more information at Wendy.King@bournemouthchamber.org.uk or phone 07747 147781.
Take part in Future Skills Employment Week
Between 18th and 22nd October, Boscombe’s Royal Arcade will play host to the ‘Future Skills and Employment Week’. Whether you are an individual wanting to know more about careers in creative and digital technology or a business looking for new and innovative ways to upskill staff, this week is your opportunity to ask for expert advice, find out about the new ‘virtual careers platform’ and even test the latest technologies.
For example, find out how your team can use virtual reality as part of a training programme; and see 3D printing in action. The events programme includes a range of interesting talks from knowledgeable speakers too and you are encouraged to sign up in advance to secure your place.
In addition, Dorset Growth Hub is on hand to answer questions about setting up a business, they can even help get you started; and career advisors will be there for some friendly guidance.
Curious? Feel free to head in between 10 and 4 (every day except Wednesday), no appointment necessary.
On the Road…in Wallisdown!
Bournemouth Chamber has received funding to re-establish trading districts in the Bournemouth area. The aim is to increase footfall, develop links, and put Wallisdown back on the map. Bournemouth Chamber is holding Information Evenings and our first one will be in Wallisdown.
Join us to find out how the Chamber can help your business.
- Thursday, 23rd September
- Lockett Fuel Cafe
- 258 Wallisdown Road
- Between 6 pm and 8 pm
It is free to attend, but please register your interest here.
Saffery Webinar – Entrepreneurs: Driving Business Performance
Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants held their second webinar of a 12-part series to support Entrepreneurs. Hosted by Alistair Hunt, a partner in the Peterborough Office, this webinar entitled “Entrepreneurs: Driving Business Performance” was joined by Chris Zanone from Centurion Safety Products and Ashley Maile from Treerange Group, who discussed the value of KPIs in driving business performance and growth.
The panel discussed the value of key performance measures, how to set them, how to track them and the importance of tailoring them so that they drive the behaviours of your employees and match the culture of your business. Some great advice was given on how to set KPIs to achieve this by focusing on performance measures which will really push your business forward whilst avoiding the trap of chasing the numbers. To see the full webinar, visit Entrepreneurs Webinar | Driving Business Performance – Saffery Champness.
William Howell, Manager- Audit in the Bournemouth Office said, “Our series of webinars provide business tips to entrepreneurs. This event was well received, with good attendance, and delivered some fantastic snippets of advice on how entrepreneurs can better measure performance to drive their business forward. We look forward to the remainder of the series with upcoming webinars covering topics in business management, tax and strategy.”
For a full programme of upcoming webinars go to Events – Saffery Champness.
Chamber hails “great coup” as Bobby’s returns
Multi-million pound plans to restore what was once the home of ‘Bobby’s’ department store to its former glory have been hailed as “a great coup” for Bournemouth.
Jacqui Rock, President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, was speaking after Verve Properties announced that it was restoring the prominent building in The Square. It was due to lie empty when the current occupier, Debenhams, closes its doors for the final time on May 15.
Many of the building’s original features will now be reinstated, including the original 1933 front entrance, or uncovered.
Jacqui told Dorset Biz News: “This is a great coup for Bournemouth.
Very much a ‘wow’ retail shopping experience, which is just what we need as people’s expectations become higher. Bobby’s is something that is not only iconic to us locally, it is wonderful to launch the town as we re-emerge from lockdown. I, for one, can’t wait to visit.”
In a press release, Verve Properties, the development company which recently transformed the nearby Avenue Centre, said that it was “focused on securing local, independent, and socially conscious brands to work with, to ensure that the regeneration reflects the changes the pandemic has accelerated in social and shopping patterns.”
Plans are in place for the first parts of the store to reopen in mid-July this year, with more elements opening all the way through the year and into 2022.
First to open will be Bobby’s Beauty Hall, a traditional ice cream and coffee parlour, an art gallery, and a dog café in the Lower Gardens.
The beauty hall will have local, sustainable, and conscious brands sitting alongside the big brands. As an independent beauty operation, Bobby’s Beauty Hall will offer products and brands not previously available at Debenhams. There will also be a Sushi and plant-based Poke Bowl Bar, a nail bar and treatment rooms for female and male grooming. The watch repairing station ‘In Time’ will be retained.
On the first floor the large windows overlooking the Square will be opened up, new balconies installed, and the floor will house a food and market hall.
This will include street food outlets including plant-based food, a deli, a bar and speciality retail market pods. Spa facilities are in the planning stages and, it is hoped, will open in 2022. The second floor will house an art gallery with more details to be revealed in coming weeks.
Accessed from Terrace Road, old buildings at the rear will be reorganised to create a garden area and a micro-brewery and craft ale smokery bar. Following that, plans are in place to open a 4th floor restaurant and bar and roof terrace bar. – all with a key focus on the local community.
There are also plans in place, due to be announced soon, for a very special collaboration with the Bournemouth-bred artist Stuart Semple, which will involve memories of the town.
Bobby & Co opened in 1915 in The Square in Bournemouth and remained under that name for more than 50 years. It was rebranded in 1972 as part of the Debenhams group.
For the complete article visit Dorset Biz News here.
Star Tech select Lewis-Manning Hospice Care as Charity of the Year
Poole based, independent Mercedes, BMW & Jaguar Specialist, Star Tech Ltd has chosen Lewis-Manning Hospice Care as its charity of the year
Founder and MD Matthew Peacock said, “My grandmother received brilliant and invaluable support from Lewis-Manning Hospice Care many years ago. She used to enjoy attending the day hospice. We really understand the amazing work the charity does and the impact that having a life-limiting illness can have on patients and their families in our community, but how Lewis-Manning are always there to help and support during the most difficult time some people will ever face. Our non-executive Board member Philip Warr is also a Patron of the hospice and he kindly reintroduced us to the charity after all these years. We are delighted to be collaborating with the charity and can’t wait to get involved and to support in many ways like fundraising events, campaigns, volunteering and introduce the charity to our team of staff.
Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser Nicki Cluley added, “We are thrilled to have the support and commitment from Star Tech and to meet Matt and Tina Peacock. We’re looking forward to reporting back on their fundraising and involvement over the coming months and are proud to be working with such a reputable local business in the heart of the local community that the hospice covers.”
For more information about Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, their services, fundraising and ways in which you can support them, please visit lewis-manning,org.uk or call 01202 708470.
About Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is a charity established 29 years ago, providing extraordinary care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness across Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset. We offer a range of free hospice care services aimed at helping people to live well through their illness, closer to home.
These include:
– Day hospices, virtual and in person
– Creative arts & wellbeing support
– Lymphoedema clinic for cancer patients
– Better breathing clinic
– Family bereavement & support
Every year we support nearly 500 local people and we develop new services, based on patient need and identified gaps in the area.
To do this we need to raise over £1.6m every year. Without these funds we could not exist.
Our important work increases people’s physical and social well-being, reduces isolation and loneliness, supports people to stay in their homes longer, and alleviates the huge pressures on family and carers.
Registered charity no. 1120193
About Star Tech Specialising in Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, MINI and Smart Based In Poole, Dorset. https://star-tech.co.uk/
Candidates for upcoming elections
The candidates for the 2021 Police and Crime Commissioner and by-election seats (Canford Heath and Commons only) have now been published.
You can view the Statement of Persons Nominated for each elected seat, by visiting:
Please note: there will no longer be a by-election for the Throop and Holdenhurst Village Council as there were 7 vacancies and 7 candidates so they are elected uncontested.
Buster’s Beach Bus – Open Top Bus Routes 2021
Yellow Buses are extremely pleased to announce the launch of their open top services in Bournemouth and Christchurch on Good Friday 2nd April 2021. Details can be found on the Bournemouth Echo website. Click here to read.
In 2019 Yellow Buses started operating open top buses again in the conurbation and carried 96,000 passengers between April and September. Around two thirds of these customers were concessions from BCP or Dorset. Local residents love to get out and about and take a ‘seat with a view’ on our open top buses.
Buster’s Beach Bus will run along the Bournemouth Coast from Alum Chine to Mudeford Quay via two routes. By travelling along this coastline, you can see the most fantastic views of Dorset from Old Harry Rocks to the west and the Hengistbury cliffs to the East. Travelling along the seafront through Southbourne on a bright day you can see the amazing ‘Needles’ rock formation and lighthouse on the Isle of Wight.
Full information can be found on Yellow Buses website below https://www.yellowbuses.co.uk/busters-beach-bus-returns
Restart Grant scheme – BCP Council
BCP Council are aiming to get approximately £23million in Restart Grants out to our businesses shortly after Easter. These funds will support businesses that are predominantly reliant on delivering in-person services for the general public from their business premises and will be paid directly to businesses that have already been awarded a Local Restrictions Support Grant for the period from 16 February to 31 March.
Depending on rateable value, these awards will vary from £2,667 to £6,000 for non-essential retail businesses and from £8,000 to £18,000 for businesses in the hospitality, leisure, accommodation, personal care and gyms and sport sectors where the criteria is met.
Full details of the Restart Grant scheme and eligibility criteria will be available on the Council’s website by 1 April.
An application form for new applicants will also be made available once initial grants have been made.