Economic Development Appendix 2 Economic Development Project Manager /2014 Projects Vision and Role © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

EDPM 2013/14 Projects – Appendix 2 50:50 funded with EHDC (20 hrs/ week) Encourage & support investment opportunities, retail and other Respond to enquiries, signpost, match make, support Produce quarterly retail vacancy rates and use class statistics Operate Bishop’s Stortford Radio Link Operate Drab to Fab = display material for selected empty shops Support Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce Priorities as directed by Chamber 100% BSTC funded (12 hrs/week) Town Centre Events Carnival Remembrance Christmas Lights Management of let Offices on 2 nd floor © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Responding to Enquiries Sources Sources Corporate head office, property teams, Corporate head office, property teams, Landlords/Property Managers, National Commercial Agents Landlords/Property Managers, National Commercial Agents Local Businesses Local Businesses Referrals from HCC,EHDC, ATCM, Members, national registers Referrals from HCC,EHDC, ATCM, Members, national registers Method of enquiry Method of enquiry 90% , 10% Telephone 90% , 10% Telephone Types of enquiryActionEnquiries/yr Licencing, Rates, Parking, Planning etc. Signpost to EHDC or HCC350 Property/site requirementsEnter into register, send details of matches, review periodically 100 Area/Head Office – enter or exit Bishop’s Stortford? Answer questions & source supporting info 20 Seeking free or peppercorn pop up space Forward qualified requests to agents/landlords, or suggest market stall 30 Rent review adviceProvide comparators or negotiation tips5 Total505

Town Centre Vacancy Survey and produce quarterly retail vacancy rates Survey and produce quarterly retail vacancy rates Fed into Regional and National Springboard figures Fed into Regional and National Springboard figures Maintain a Requirements register Maintain a Requirements register © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Drab to Fab – Empty units project Concept Concept Improve the appearance of empty premises, whilst seeking occupiers Improve the appearance of empty premises, whilst seeking occupiers Funding Funding External grants, Radio link income, private sector contributions External grants, Radio link income, private sector contributions Mechanics Mechanics Exterior window graphics Exterior window graphics Static internal displays Static internal displays Facilitating pop-up opportunities (currently three) Facilitating pop-up opportunities (currently three) Constraints Constraints Officer time Officer time Funding Funding Time to liaise between Owner, property management team and commercial agents Time to liaise between Owner, property management team and commercial agents Future Developments Future Developments Setting up a property ownership database Setting up a property ownership database Increasing the number of units that are included in the project - streamlining process Increasing the number of units that are included in the project - streamlining process Organizing a diary of small events to increase footfall in void areas Organizing a diary of small events to increase footfall in void areas Sourcing/creating a grant scheme for pop-up users Sourcing/creating a grant scheme for pop-up users Producing a guide for pop-up operators Producing a guide for pop-up operators © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Bishop’s Stortford Town Business Radio Link 60 members 60 members Information sharing and advance warning system to reduce business crime Information sharing and advance warning system to reduce business crime Analogue -> digital upgrade under investigation Analogue -> digital upgrade under investigation Generates £2000 per year - used to fund empty premises project Generates £2000 per year - used to fund empty premises project

Chamber of Commerce support priorities directed by Chamber Chamber Value analysis Chamber Value analysis Membership rates and benefits comparison survey with Chamber of commerce organizations in other areas Membership rates and benefits comparison survey with Chamber of commerce organizations in other areas Supporting Business Stortford Supporting Business Stortford Overview Overview Chamber of Commerce project, LEP funded Chamber of Commerce project, LEP funded Initiated by BSTC in 2011 following Town Plan Survey Initiated by BSTC in 2011 following Town Plan Survey Encourages inward investment to create (target) 1000 jobs Encourages inward investment to create (target) 1000 jobs EDPM Role EDPM Role Establish the viability and sustainability of a support structure for Business Stortford and implement or exit the Business Stortford project accordingly. Establish the viability and sustainability of a support structure for Business Stortford and implement or exit the Business Stortford project accordingly. Establishing ambassadors scheme which will be headed up by Mark Prisk MP Establishing ambassadors scheme which will be headed up by Mark Prisk MP Complete update of website content Complete update of website content Assessment of viability Assessment of viability Funds in place to complete the launch of the new website and to operate until April 2014 Funds in place to complete the launch of the new website and to operate until April 2014 Minimum £5,000 per annum plus Chamber staff hour (to be quantified) required to sustain thereafter Minimum £5,000 per annum plus Chamber staff hour (to be quantified) required to sustain thereafter Funding sources being researched Funding sources being researched Negotiating mergers Negotiating mergers Representing the Chamber and creating proposals in negotiations to merge in Hockerill traders and Bishop’s Stortford Retail Association Representing the Chamber and creating proposals in negotiations to merge in Hockerill traders and Bishop’s Stortford Retail Association WW1 Business Trail WW1 Business Trail Research/create ideas to operate a Business related Town Trail, seeking funding Research/create ideas to operate a Business related Town Trail, seeking funding Commemorates WW1 centenary, based on smartphone app Commemorates WW1 centenary, based on smartphone app Swot Analysis Swot Analysis of Bishop’s Stortford as a town for business, for Chamber and EHDC of Bishop’s Stortford as a town for business, for Chamber and EHDC © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Economic Development Our Vision and Role?

Economic Development - The Players Hertfordshire Local Enterprise partnership Hertfordshire Local Enterprise partnership Government’s chosen growth engine Government’s chosen growth engine Priorities currently unlikely to benefit Bishop’s Stortford significantly Priorities currently unlikely to benefit Bishop’s Stortford significantly Currently competing for funding 2015 onwards Currently competing for funding 2015 onwards Hertfordshire County Council Hertfordshire County Council Projects: “Stimulating enterprise”, “Low Carbon Economy”, “Stepping Stones” (Developing a skilled workforce), Infrastructure improvements, Inward investment projects (through the LEP) Projects: “Stimulating enterprise”, “Low Carbon Economy”, “Stepping Stones” (Developing a skilled workforce), Infrastructure improvements, Inward investment projects (through the LEP) East Herts District Council East Herts District Council Runs market, dabbles in tourism, co-funds Economic Development project manager, various project activities Runs market, dabbles in tourism, co-funds Economic Development project manager, various project activities Chamber of Commerce, Retail Partnership Chamber of Commerce, Retail Partnership BusinessStortford initiative - stimulating inward investment BusinessStortford initiative - stimulating inward investment Support to members, Networking events Support to members, Networking events Lobbying Lobbying Our role and focus? Our role and focus? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

District Councils - Example activities East Herts District Council East Herts District Council Employment Land Studies, SME’s mentoring work, Markets, Local Economy Audit, Tourism, East Herts Learners Forum, My Incubator Project (Ware), Deliver LSP projects (eg Get Britain Working), Deliver the Eastern Plateau Rural Development Project, Industrial Estates projects, Development of high Value jobs Employment Land Studies, SME’s mentoring work, Markets, Local Economy Audit, Tourism, East Herts Learners Forum, My Incubator Project (Ware), Deliver LSP projects (eg Get Britain Working), Deliver the Eastern Plateau Rural Development Project, Industrial Estates projects, Development of high Value jobs Wychavon Council Wychavon Council JV with Waitrose to acquire land and build a supermarket in a previously run-down high street. JV with Waitrose to acquire land and build a supermarket in a previously run-down high street. Wycombe District Council Wycombe District Council led major retail development: department store, M&S, Sainsbury’s, 54 retail units, civic square, restaurants and cafes, cinema complex, bowling rink, new library & bus terminal, 48 residential units. led major retail development: department store, M&S, Sainsbury’s, 54 retail units, civic square, restaurants and cafes, cinema complex, bowling rink, new library & bus terminal, 48 residential units. Assisted with the creation of a BID, Shopper numbers have increased and 2,200 jobs created. Assisted with the creation of a BID, Shopper numbers have increased and 2,200 jobs created. Calderdale Calderdale Managed £2.8 million fund to stimulate the economy, over 60 projects commissioned. Managed £2.8 million fund to stimulate the economy, over 60 projects commissioned. Local shopping campaign drawing in private sector investment of £2.9 million Local shopping campaign drawing in private sector investment of £2.9 million Wyfe Forest District Council Wyfe Forest District Council £12,000 spent to bringing 10 empty shops back into use through business rate discounts. £12,000 spent to bringing 10 empty shops back into use through business rate discounts. Bicester Bicester Partnership to provide two free hours parking (50/50 funded with Sainsburys) Partnership to provide two free hours parking (50/50 funded with Sainsburys) © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Town/Parish Councils – Example Economic development activities 90 out of 353 ‘larger’ councils engaged: Scope, content and definition varies widely 90 out of 353 ‘larger’ councils engaged: Scope, content and definition varies widely BSTC (principal activities) BSTC (principal activities) Co-fund EDPM (22K), CCTV(22K), Christmas lights(14K), Carnival(11K), Toilets(25K), ‘In Bloom’ (6k), Empty Shops project Co-fund EDPM (22K), CCTV(22K), Christmas lights(14K), Carnival(11K), Toilets(25K), ‘In Bloom’ (6k), Empty Shops project Devizes Devizes 20K for CCTV 20K for CCTV Falmouth Falmouth 86K for Town Centre manager and BID support 86K for Town Centre manager and BID support Hailsham Hailsham 27K for town regeneration/business enterprise 27K for town regeneration/business enterprise Hatfield Hatfield Match-fund Town Centre Coordinator Match-fund Town Centre Coordinator Houghton Regis, Litchfield Houghton Regis, Litchfield Staff time only Staff time only Woodley Woodley 12K to support Town Centre Manager 12K to support Town Centre Manager Sawbridgeworth Sawbridgeworth fund 1hr free parking, Christmas lights & switch on fund 1hr free parking, Christmas lights & switch on Frome – very active Frome – very active Economic Development & Regeneration Manager, Town Team & Economic Development Plan, Economic Development & Regeneration Manager, Town Team & Economic Development Plan, Business Networking, Welcome pack for investors & new residents, Empty shops project, Skills training workshops, Business start up training/support. Shop local app Business Networking, Welcome pack for investors & new residents, Empty shops project, Skills training workshops, Business start up training/support. Shop local app Christmas Lights & switch on (22.5k), other events (15.5k), Newsletters (£3.5K), Economic Research (10k) Christmas Lights & switch on (22.5k), other events (15.5k), Newsletters (£3.5K), Economic Research (10k) Keep Frome Clean Keep Frome Clean © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Questions What is our vision for the economic development of the Town? What is our vision for the economic development of the Town? What is our role in the context of the other players? What is our role in the context of the other players? How do we avoid trying (and failing) to be ‘all things to all people’? How do we avoid trying (and failing) to be ‘all things to all people’? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Backup

Economic Development Project Manager – Recent History Origins Origins ‘Town Centre manager’ role jointly sponsored by EHDC and BSTC (nominally £10,000 = 10hrs/week each) ‘Town Centre manager’ role jointly sponsored by EHDC and BSTC (nominally £10,000 = 10hrs/week each) Combined with BSTC-only role focused on event organization (principally Carnival, Remembrance & management of let offices) Combined with BSTC-only role focused on event organization (principally Carnival, Remembrance & management of let offices) Transition Transition Role became increasingly unsatisfactory – “all things to all people” Role became increasingly unsatisfactory – “all things to all people” Town Centre Partnership placing challenging demands Town Centre Partnership placing challenging demands Role of chair of TCP became inappropriate and impossible to manage Role of chair of TCP became inappropriate and impossible to manage 2011 – By agreement with EHDC chair vacated, role redefined, links with TCP redefined 2011 – By agreement with EHDC chair vacated, role redefined, links with TCP redefined Initial adverse reaction from TCP, relationship now improved Initial adverse reaction from TCP, relationship now improved Current Current Role free to move with business needs Role free to move with business needs Reviewed annually between BSTC and EHDC Reviewed annually between BSTC and EHDC

How the Town is Perceived EHDC “in transition” EHDC “in transition” A minor sub-regional centre, major change underway through re-development of sites A minor sub-regional centre, major change underway through re-development of sites Traditional market town becoming a larger settlement /greater significance Traditional market town becoming a larger settlement /greater significance Close to Stansted, positioned for airport-related activities/visitor services attractive place to visit Close to Stansted, positioned for airport-related activities/visitor services attractive place to visit employment land & premises a key challenge, critical to identify sufficient space employment land & premises a key challenge, critical to identify sufficient space Marketing and Inward Investment important for competitiveness Marketing and Inward Investment important for competitiveness opportunity to extend evening economy/link to an emerging cultural quarter opportunity to extend evening economy/link to an emerging cultural quarter Wessex Economics – “town faces two challenges” Wessex Economics – “town faces two challenges” accommodating the potential for growth without sacrificing quality of life accommodating the potential for growth without sacrificing quality of life provision of modern business space for employers in the right location provision of modern business space for employers in the right location Regeneris/ Hertfordshire Employment Sites Study “potential at risk” Regeneris/ Hertfordshire Employment Sites Study “potential at risk” opportunities related to Stansted airport – opportunities related to Stansted airport – possible sub-regional business area but no suitable sites, few vacancies possible sub-regional business area but no suitable sites, few vacancies Future site locations unclear – significant risk town’s potential cannot be realised Future site locations unclear – significant risk town’s potential cannot be realised Common message: Town has potential to grow economically but: Common message: Town has potential to grow economically but: We don’t have the employment sites We don’t have the employment sites We don’t have a clear picture where they will go We don’t have a clear picture where they will go © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Town Centre External View The retail environment The retail environment Number of independents retailers is considered good Number of independents retailers is considered good Number of multiples rather average. Number of multiples rather average. Range of shops not especially good, quality average. Range of shops not especially good, quality average. Car parking facilities inadequate Car parking facilities inadequate Town pedestrian-friendly, attractive and clean. Town pedestrian-friendly, attractive and clean. Overall: average Overall: average retention of local expenditure extremely good retention of local expenditure extremely good not a major attractor of (external) retail expenditure. not a major attractor of (external) retail expenditure. suffers in comparison with its larger neighbours – M&S the only anchor store. suffers in comparison with its larger neighbours – M&S the only anchor store. Recommend that East Herts Council encourages development which includes a department store anchor. Recommend that East Herts Council encourages development which includes a department store anchor. The wider town centre offering The wider town centre offering restaurants and bars clustered around the Market Square area a plus restaurants and bars clustered around the Market Square area a plus significant leisure activities at Anchor Street divorced from Town Centre significant leisure activities at Anchor Street divorced from Town Centre dislocation of major leisure uses from the town centre restaurants =>poor mutual support dislocation of major leisure uses from the town centre restaurants =>poor mutual support Source: EHDC Retail Study 2008, Bishop’s Stortford Source: EHDC Retail Study 2008, Bishop’s Stortford © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council