Economic Development Appendix 2 Economic Development Project Manager - 2013/2014 Projects Vision and Role © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Economic DevelopmentEconomic DevelopmentAppendix 2Appendix 2

Economic Development Project Economic Development Project Manager - 2013/2014 ProjectsManager - 2013/2014 Projects

Vision and RoleVision and Role

© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council

EDPM 2013/14 Projects – Appendix EDPM 2013/14 Projects – Appendix 22

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 2nd floor


Responding to EnquiriesResponding to Enquiries SourcesSources

Corporate head office, property teams, Corporate head office, property teams, Landlords/Property Managers, National Commercial AgentsLandlords/Property Managers, National Commercial Agents Local BusinessesLocal Businesses Referrals from HCC,EHDC, ATCM, Members, national registersReferrals from HCC,EHDC, ATCM, Members, national registers

Method of enquiryMethod of enquiry 90% Email, 10% Telephone 90% Email, 10% Telephone

Types of enquiry Action Enquiries/yr

Licencing, Rates, Parking, Planning etc.

Signpost to EHDC or HCC 350

Property/site requirements Enter 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 advice Provide comparators or negotiation tips

5

Total 505

Town Centre VacancyTown Centre Vacancy

Survey and produce quarterly retail vacancy ratesSurvey and produce quarterly retail vacancy rates Fed into Regional and National Springboard figuresFed into Regional and National Springboard figures Maintain a Requirements registerMaintain a Requirements register


Drab to Fab – Empty units projectDrab to Fab – Empty units project

ConceptConcept Improve the appearance of empty premises, whilst seeking occupiersImprove the appearance of empty premises, whilst seeking occupiers

FundingFunding External grants, Radio link income, private sector contributionsExternal grants, Radio link income, private sector contributions

MechanicsMechanics Exterior window graphicsExterior window graphics Static internal displaysStatic internal displays Facilitating pop-up opportunities (currently three)Facilitating pop-up opportunities (currently three)

ConstraintsConstraints Officer timeOfficer time FundingFunding Time to liaise between Owner, property management team and commercial Time to liaise between Owner, property management team and commercial

agentsagents Future Developments Future Developments

Setting up a property ownership databaseSetting up a property ownership database Increasing the number of units that are included in the project - Increasing the number of units that are included in the project -

streamlining processstreamlining 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 usersSourcing/creating a grant scheme for pop-up users Producing a guide for pop-up operatorsProducing a guide for pop-up operators



Bishop’s Stortford Town Business Radio Bishop’s Stortford Town Business Radio LinkLink

60 members60 members Information sharing and advance warning system to Information sharing and advance warning system to

reduce business crimereduce business crime Analogue -> digital upgrade under investigationAnalogue -> digital upgrade under investigation Generates £2000 per year - used to fund empty Generates £2000 per year - used to fund empty

premises projectpremises project

Chamber of Commerce supportChamber of Commerce supportpriorities directed by Chamberpriorities directed by Chamber

Chamber Value analysisChamber Value analysis Membership rates and benefits comparison survey with Chamber of commerce Membership rates and benefits comparison survey with Chamber of commerce

organizations in other areasorganizations in other areas Supporting Business StortfordSupporting Business Stortford

OverviewOverview Chamber of Commerce project, LEP fundedChamber of Commerce project, LEP funded Initiated by BSTC in 2011 following Town Plan SurveyInitiated by BSTC in 2011 following Town Plan Survey Encourages inward investment to create (target) 1000 jobsEncourages inward investment to create (target) 1000 jobs

EDPM RoleEDPM Role Establish the viability and sustainability of a support structure for Business Stortford and Establish the viability and sustainability of a support structure for Business Stortford and

implement or exit the Business Stortford project accordingly.implement or exit the Business Stortford project accordingly. Establishing ambassadors scheme which will be headed up by Mark Prisk MPEstablishing ambassadors scheme which will be headed up by Mark Prisk MP Complete update of website contentComplete update of website content

Assessment of viabilityAssessment of viability Funds in place to complete the launch of the new website and to operate until April 2014Funds 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 Minimum £5,000 per annum plus Chamber staff hour (to be quantified) required to sustain

thereafter thereafter Funding sources being researchedFunding sources being researched

Negotiating mergersNegotiating mergers Representing the Chamber and creating proposals in negotiations to merge in Hockerill Representing the Chamber and creating proposals in negotiations to merge in Hockerill

traders and Bishop’s Stortford Retail Associationtraders and Bishop’s Stortford Retail Association WW1 Business TrailWW1 Business Trail

Research/create ideas to operate a Business related Town Trail, seeking fundingResearch/create ideas to operate a Business related Town Trail, seeking funding Commemorates WW1 centenary, based on smartphone appCommemorates WW1 centenary, based on smartphone app

Swot AnalysisSwot Analysis of Bishop’s Stortford as a town for business, for Chamber and EHDCof Bishop’s Stortford as a town for business, for Chamber and EHDC© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town

Council Council


Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

Our Vision and Role?Our Vision and Role?

Economic Development - The Economic Development - The PlayersPlayers

Hertfordshire Local Enterprise partnershipHertfordshire Local Enterprise partnership Government’s chosen growth engineGovernment’s chosen growth engine Priorities currently unlikely to benefit Bishop’s Stortford Priorities currently unlikely to benefit Bishop’s Stortford

significantlysignificantly Currently competing for funding 2015 onwardsCurrently competing for funding 2015 onwards

Hertfordshire County CouncilHertfordshire County Council Projects: “Stimulating enterprise”, “Low Carbon Economy”, Projects: “Stimulating enterprise”, “Low Carbon Economy”,

“Stepping Stones” (Developing a skilled workforce), “Stepping Stones” (Developing a skilled workforce), Infrastructure improvements, Inward investment projects Infrastructure improvements, Inward investment projects (through the LEP)(through the LEP)

East Herts District CouncilEast Herts District Council Runs market, dabbles in tourism, co-funds Economic Runs market, dabbles in tourism, co-funds Economic

Development project manager, various project activitiesDevelopment project manager, various project activities Chamber of Commerce, Retail PartnershipChamber of Commerce, Retail Partnership

BusinessStortford initiative - stimulating inward investmentBusinessStortford initiative - stimulating inward investment Support to members, Networking events Support to members, Networking events LobbyingLobbying

OurOur role and focus? role and focus?© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town

Council Council

District Councils - Example activitiesDistrict Councils - Example activities

East Herts District CouncilEast Herts District Council Employment Land Studies, SME’s mentoring work, Markets , Local Economy Audit, Employment Land Studies, SME’s mentoring work, Markets , Local Economy Audit,

Tourism, East Herts Learners Forum, My Incubator Project (Ware), Deliver LSP projects Tourism, East Herts Learners Forum, My Incubator Project (Ware), Deliver LSP projects (eg Get Britain Working), Deliver the Eastern Plateau Rural Development Project, (eg Get Britain Working), Deliver the Eastern Plateau Rural Development Project, Industrial Estates projects, Development of high Value jobsIndustrial Estates projects, Development of high Value jobs

Wychavon CouncilWychavon Council JV with Waitrose to acquire land and build a supermarket in a previously run-down high JV with Waitrose to acquire land and build a supermarket in a previously run-down high

street.street. Wycombe District Council Wycombe District Council

led major retail development: department store, M&S, Sainsbury’s, 54 retail units, civic 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 square, restaurants and cafes, cinema complex, bowling rink, new library & bus terminal, 48 residential units. terminal, 48 residential units.

Assisted with the creation of a BID, Shopper numbers have increased and 2,200 jobs Assisted with the creation of a BID, Shopper numbers have increased and 2,200 jobs created.created.

CalderdaleCalderdale 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 millionLocal shopping campaign drawing in private sector investment of £2.9 million

Wyfe Forest District CouncilWyfe Forest District Council £12,000 spent to bringing 10 empty shops back into use through business rate £12,000 spent to bringing 10 empty shops back into use through business rate

discounts.discounts. BicesterBicester

Partnership to provide two free hours parking (50/50 funded with Sainsburys)Partnership to provide two free hours parking (50/50 funded with Sainsburys)


Town/Parish Councils – Example Town/Parish Councils – Example Economic development activitiesEconomic development activities

90 out of 353 ‘larger’ councils engaged: Scope, content and definition varies widely90 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), Co-fund EDPM (22K), CCTV(22K), Christmas lights(14K), Carnival(11K), Toilets(25K), ‘In Bloom’ (6k), Empty Shops projectEmpty Shops project

DevizesDevizes 20K for CCTV20K for CCTV

FalmouthFalmouth 86K for Town Centre manager and BID support86K for Town Centre manager and BID support

HailshamHailsham 27K for town regeneration/business enterprise27K for town regeneration/business enterprise

HatfieldHatfield Match-fund Town Centre CoordinatorMatch-fund Town Centre Coordinator

Houghton Regis, LitchfieldHoughton Regis, Litchfield Staff time onlyStaff time only

WoodleyWoodley 12K to support Town Centre Manager12K to support Town Centre Manager

SawbridgeworthSawbridgeworth ffund 1hr free parking, Christmas lights & switch onund 1hr free parking, Christmas lights & switch on

Frome – very activeFrome – 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 Business Networking, Welcome pack for investors & new residents, Empty shops project, Skills training

workshops, Business start up training/support. Shop local appworkshops, Business start up training/support. Shop local app Christmas Lights & switch on (22.5k), other eChristmas Lights & switch on (22.5k), other events (15.5k) , Newsletters (£3.5K), Economic Research vents (15.5k) , Newsletters (£3.5K), Economic Research

(10k)(10k) Keep Frome CleanKeep Frome Clean


QuestionsQuestions

What is our vision for the economic What is our vision for the economic development of the Town?development of the Town?

What is our role in the context of the other What is our role in the context of the other players?players?

How do we avoid trying (and failing) to be How do we avoid trying (and failing) to be ‘all things to all people’?‘all things to all people’?


BackupBackup



Economic Development Project Economic Development Project Manager – Recent HistoryManager – Recent History

OriginsOrigins ‘‘Town Centre manager’ role jointly sponsored by EHDC and BSTC Town Centre manager’ role jointly sponsored by EHDC and BSTC

(nominally £10,000 = 10hrs/week each)(nominally £10,000 = 10hrs/week each) Combined with BSTC-only role focused on event organization Combined with BSTC-only role focused on event organization

(principally Carnival, Remembrance & management of let offices)(principally Carnival, Remembrance & management of let offices) TransitionTransition

2009-2011 - Role became increasingly unsatisfactory – “all things 2009-2011 - Role became increasingly unsatisfactory – “all things to all people”to all people”

Town Centre Partnership placing challenging demandsTown Centre Partnership placing challenging demands Role of chair of TCP became inappropriate and impossible to Role of chair of TCP became inappropriate and impossible to

managemanage 2011 – By agreement with EHDC chair vacated, role redefined, 2011 – By agreement with EHDC chair vacated, role redefined,

links with TCP redefinedlinks with TCP redefined Initial adverse reaction from TCP, relationship now improvedInitial adverse reaction from TCP, relationship now improved

CurrentCurrent Role free to move with business needs Role free to move with business needs Reviewed annually between BSTC and EHDCReviewed annually between BSTC and EHDC

How the Town is PerceivedHow the Town is Perceived

EHDC “in transition”EHDC “in transition” A minor sub-regional centre, major change underway through re-development of sitesA minor sub-regional centre, major change underway through re-development of sites Traditional market town becoming a larger settlement /greater significanceTraditional market town becoming a larger settlement /greater significance Close to Stansted, positioned for airport-related activities/visitor services attractive Close to Stansted, positioned for airport-related activities/visitor services attractive

place to visitplace to visit employment land & premises a key challenge, critical to identify sufficient spaceemployment 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 quarteropportunity 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 lifeaccommodating the potential for growth without sacrificing quality of life provision of modern business space for employers in the right locationprovision 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 vacanciespossible sub-regional business area but no suitable sites, few vacancies Future site locations unclear – significant risk town’s potential cannot be realisedFuture 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 sitesWe don’t have the employment sites We don’t have a clear picture where they will goWe don’t have a clear picture where they will go


Town Centre External ViewTown Centre External View

The retail environmentThe retail environment Number of independents retailers is considered goodNumber 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 Recommend that East Herts Council encourages development which includes a

department store anchor. department store anchor.

The wider town centre offeringThe wider town centre offering restaurants and bars clustered around the Market Square area a plusrestaurants 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 dislocation of major leisure uses from the town centre restaurants =>poor

mutual support mutual support

Source: EHDC Retail Study 2008, Bishop’s StortfordSource: EHDC Retail Study 2008, Bishop’s Stortford


Documents

Economic Development Appendix 2 Economic Development Project Manager - 2013/2014 Projects Vision and Role © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council