1. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Economic Development Projects Update October 2011 Agenda Item 14 31 st October 2011

2. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Targeted interventions to increase vitality and Viability Town Centre Events Town Centre Events Lights of Love, December 2011 Lights of Love, December 2011 BSTC Christmas Tree BSTC Christmas Tree BSTC Town Centre Christmas Lights BSTC Town Centre Christmas Lights BSTC Remembrance Sunday Service BSTC Remembrance Sunday Service Assistance to proposed Christmas Market (to be organised by retail group) Assistance to proposed Christmas Market (to be organised by retail group) Italian Market June 2012 Italian Market June 2012 Living History Event June 2012 (Foot of Castle Mound) Living History Event June 2012 (Foot of Castle Mound) Bishop’s Stortford Diamond Jubilee Carnival & Fun Day, Theme “Best of British” June 2012 Bishop’s Stortford Diamond Jubilee Carnival & Fun Day, Theme “Best of British” June 2012 Town Centre Security/Safety/Appearance Town Centre Security/Safety/Appearance Radio Link, five new members, since April 11 Radio Link, five new members, since April 11 Drab to Fab, empty shop project, placed Carnival Graphics into the former Motor World, shop window May 2011 and replaced them with Town Graphics, June 2011 Drab to Fab, empty shop project, placed Carnival Graphics into the former Motor World, shop window May 2011 and replaced them with Town Graphics, June 2011

3. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Encourage Inward investment and retention. Produce and gather information on a regular basis as necessary to assist with objectives and as required for other designated external funding applications. Town Centre Shopper Report, Bishop’s Stortford, May 2011 (See appendix 12.a) Town Centre Shopper Report, Bishop’s Stortford, May 2011 (See appendix 12.a) Retailer requirements, updated monthly, Unit availability and survey information, circulated to companies, who may have an interest in Bishop’s Stortford, Monthly Retailer requirements, updated monthly, Unit availability and survey information, circulated to companies, who may have an interest in Bishop’s Stortford, Monthly Inward Investment & Retention Survey being conducted October, November and December 2011, results January 2012 Inward Investment & Retention Survey being conducted October, November and December 2011, results January 2012 Bishop’s Stortford New Operator requirements, January 2012 Bishop’s Stortford New Operator requirements, January 2012 Retail Vacancy report – Monthly, information fed into National database quarterly. Retail Vacancy report – Monthly, information fed into National database quarterly. Available Footfall data – Quarterly Available Footfall data – Quarterly Retail Representation – January 2012 Retail Representation – January 2012 Geographical Business Audit – November/December 2011 Geographical Business Audit – November/December 2011 ( Geographical area = Town Centre, Industrial Estates and main routes into Bishop’s Stortford.) results January 2012 ( Geographical area = Town Centre, Industrial Estates and main routes into Bishop’s Stortford.) results January 2012 Compiling a recommended list of key business operators, with which the Councils may wish to consult with, January/February 2012 Compiling a recommended list of key business operators, with which the Councils may wish to consult with, January/February 2012 1500 Business premises, within Bishop’s Stortford ( these are rateable business premises and does not allow for home workers) 1500 Business premises, within Bishop’s Stortford ( these are rateable business premises and does not allow for home workers) Annual Town Centre Users Survey (September 2011) see appendix 12.b Annual Town Centre Users Survey (September 2011) see appendix 12.b Conclusions: 97%, said Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre had improved in the last five years. Conclusions: 97%, said Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre had improved in the last five years. 99% said the range of shops, had improved in the last five years. 99% said the range of shops, had improved in the last five years. 76% said the cost of car parking was reasonably priced compared to other towns. 76% said the cost of car parking was reasonably priced compared to other towns. 75% said they usually find a space quickly and easy. 75% said they usually find a space quickly and easy. Chelmsford, Freeport, Harlow and Cambridge remain main competition Chelmsford, Freeport, Harlow and Cambridge remain main competition High Street V On line Price Check (October 2011) High Street V On line Price Check (October 2011) Compare online and high street prices for basket of 50 items, circulate results to shops, named. Compare online and high street prices for basket of 50 items, circulate results to shops, named. First Impressions (February 2012) First Impressions (February 2012) Peer review of first impressions of Bishop’s Stortford by a town centre manager from an Essex Town, with written report. Peer review of first impressions of Bishop’s Stortford by a town centre manager from an Essex Town, with written report.

4. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Business Engagement Currently, mapping business support services that will be available post Business Link, in- conjunction with EHDC and HCC, Information to be available to Business Operators November/December 2011 Currently, mapping business support services that will be available post Business Link, in- conjunction with EHDC and HCC, Information to be available to Business Operators November/December 2011 Signposting business operators to support, rather than replicating. Signposting business operators to support, rather than replicating. Organising a number of drop in clinics with EHDC to raise awareness of the support available, Clinics to be run in Bishop’s Stortford February/March 2012 Organising a number of drop in clinics with EHDC to raise awareness of the support available, Clinics to be run in Bishop’s Stortford February/March 2012 Established business partnership relationships, with Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce, Bishop’s Stortford Business Connections, Federation of Small Business, Town Partnership Established business partnership relationships, with Bishop’s Stortford Chamber of Commerce, Bishop’s Stortford Business Connections, Federation of Small Business, Town Partnership Holding a Mary Portas, Skills Smart Retailers Master Class, for 20 Retailers, February 2012 Holding a Mary Portas, Skills Smart Retailers Master Class, for 20 Retailers, February 2012 Small Business’s Clinic, in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, March 2012 Small Business’s Clinic, in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, March 2012 Business Start Up, Advice Clinic, March 2012 Business Start Up, Advice Clinic, March 2012 Advice and guidance, given to potential investors, such as data, rent and rate advice and support available from other council/government departments and partners. 52 fresh enquiries since April 2011 Advice and guidance, given to potential investors, such as data, rent and rate advice and support available from other council/government departments and partners. 52 fresh enquiries since April 2011 Ten Start up offices on the second floor of the Old Monastery, fully let. Ten Start up offices on the second floor of the Old Monastery, fully let.