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The Big Heart of
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr’s Business
Improvement District
The story so far ....
October 2012 – launch of The Big Heart of Merthyr
Tydfil Business Improvement District after yes vote
At the time, The Big Heart was only the 2nd BID in
Wales but there are now 9 in Wales and some 230
across the UK. BIDs are increasingly seen as the
way forward in managing and enhancing town
centres for the benefit of the business and wider
community.
January 2013 onwards – delivery of projects and
services to support our 4 major themes:
PROMOTING: marketing the town centre to visitors
and capturing more local spend
TRANSFORMING: creating a thriving business and
retail environment
ENGAGING: better communication between
businesses and realising cost savings
WELCOMING: enhancing the town centre experience
A taste of the last 12 months ...
Promoting
• Summer events and festivals including
Merthyr Chilli Fiesta, Merthyr Food Festival,
Merthyr by the Sea & Ready Teddy Go
• Heart Radio marketing campaign
• Christmas marketing & lights switch on
• Special promotions such as Valentine’s Day,
Mother’s Day, Love Your Local Market,
Independent Retailer Month and Back to
School
• We Love Merthyr website, digital and social
media campaign
Christmas 2015 in Pictures ...
A taste of the last 12 months ...
Engaging
• Merthyr Town Centre Retail & Hospitality
Awards
• Big Heart Energy & Business Development
Grants
• We Love Merthyr Loyalty Card
• We Love Merthyr website
Welcoming
• £1 Saturday parking promotion
• Business Crime Reduction Partnership
• NiteNet Radio launch
• Pubwatch Merthyr training
A taste of the last 12 months ...
Transforming
• Additional hanging baskets
• Floral displays
• Gateway improvements – Caedraw Roundabout
• Table and chair licenses
• Big Heart Shop Front Improvement Grant
Key Findings from Business Consultation
Undertaken in January 2016 to obtain feedback across the 4 key themes:
• Promoting
96% of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the
marketing and promotion undertaken by the BID
70% said that the Christmas campaign has improved the promotion of the town
centre a lot
68% said that the We Love Merthyr social media campaign has improved the
promotion of the town centre a lot
• Welcoming
92% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the £1 Saturday car parking
initiative
66% said that the safety of the town centre in the daytime has improved either a
lot or slightly in the last 2 years; the equivalent figure for the evening time is 54%
• Transforming 81% said that the attractiveness of the town centre has improved either a lot or
slightly in the last 2 years and 80% said the cleanliness has improved either a lot
of slightly
80% said that the hanging baskets and floral planters have improved the
attractiveness of the town centre either a lot or slightly
• Engaging
84% said that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the BID’s business
development activities over the last 2 years
96% said that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the BID’s
communication with its members over the last 2 years
Our plans for 2016 ...
Promoting Merthyr Tydfil
• We Love Merthyr digital and social media
campaign (throughout year)
• Heart & Smooth Radio campaign (throughout
the year)
• Merthyr Chilli Fiesta (June)
• Merthyr Week (July)
• Merthyr Food Festival (July)
• Merthyr by the Sea (August)
• Merthyr Children’s Festival (September)
• Christmas lights switch on event (November)
• Christmas campaign (November / December)
Our plans for 2016 …
Engaging
• Joint Procurement Project with
Meercat Associates
• Town Centre App
• Merthyr Loyalty Card
• Town Centre Retail & Hospitality Awards
Welcoming
• £1 Saturday Car Parking Promotion
• Business Crime Reduction
Partnership
• NiteNet Radio Scheme
• Support to Evening Economy
Transforming
• Town Centre Information Points
• Hanging baskets and floral displays
• Table and chair licenses
• Big Heart Shop Front Improvement
grant
• Town Centre cleansing
Securing the best possible future for Merthyr Tydfil
The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil
13 Wheatsheaf Lane, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AY
01685 726272