NEWSAn architectwith designsShropshire architect Matt Spinks is celebrating a decade ofservice by putting the finishing touches to his 200th project.Matt is celebrating ten years at Bridgnorth-based JohnsonDesign Partnership by working on a raft of contracts, ranging fromnew hospital developments in London to local sporting communityprojects and the next generation of home transformations.He has been involved in some of the company’s most high-profilecontracts, including a feasibility study for a footbridge joiningMolineux Stadium to Wolverhampton University and the city centre,and a proposal for a new hotel in Uganda on the River Nile.“It has been an exciting ten years, full of lots of challenges,changes in legislation and the great feeling of seeing yourdesigns come to life . . . some have taken longer than others tohappen,” said Matt.A NEW business club is being launched in Oswestry, basedat the town’s golf club.The Aston Park club, which is already a member ofShropshire Chamber and Oswestry Chamber, says it seesmutual benefits from the new venture.The package will allow member organisations to holdtheir own golf days and to entertain clients or staff in afriendly environment.Business Club members will also enjoy a presence on anew interactive website with links to their own sites.Colin Spicer, chairman of development at the club, said:“This new exciting concept will provide opportunities forbusinesses wishing to capitalise on this venture and we lookforward to working in partnership with them.”“Our industry has changed dramatically over the last decadeand there is now a greater appetite for more innovative design,not to mention changes in building regulations that createenvironmentally friendly buildings to live, work and play in.“The introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy andSection 106 for self-build homes are also having an impact.”Matt’s 200th project is fittingly the iconic Bishop Percy’s House inthe centre of Bridgnorth. JDP has been asked to transform the16th-century Grade-I-listed building into a tearoom, museum andsix holiday lets.Follow us on Twitter @FBCManbyBowdlerLegal advice andservice of thehighest quality tomeet the specialistneeds of ourindividual, businessand agriculturalclients…Services for IndividualsEmploymentFamilyMotoring OffencesPersonal InjuryResidential PropertyWills, Trusts & EstatePlanningServices for BusinessAgricultural & RuralBusiness CrimeCharitiesCommercial PropertyCorporateDebt RecoveryEmployment & HRIP, Technology & MediaLicensingLitigationTown & CountryPlanningMatt Spinks outside the Bishop Percy House in Bridgnorth. 01743 241551Juneau HouseShrewsbury Bus. ParkShrewsburyShropshire, SY2 6LG info@fbcmb.co.ukwww.fbcmb.co.ukFBC Manby Bowdler LLP is aLimited Liability Partnership.33
SHREWSBURY TOWN CENTREIn late 2013,the businesscommunity ofShrewsbury towncentre firmlybacked proposalsto establisha businessimprovementdistrict forShrewsbury,making it the firstand only BID inShropshire.More than threequarters ofbusinesses votedyes for the BIDand as a result£1.6 million willbe invested toimprove thecommercialenvironment formore than 500businesses.BID managerKIRSTEN HENLYexplains how, overthe next five years,the BID will bring areal change to howthe town centreis managed andhow it will have apositive impact onthose who live andwork in ShrewsburyAudacious BIDThis is an exciting time forShrewsbury. The businessimprovement district cameinto operation in April this yearand is already playing animportant role in uniting businesses,local government and privateinvestors with a common vision.The programme of activityfor our first year is ambitious, butfundamentally the additionalinvestment is being directed toKirsten Henlypriorities identified by the businesses themselves.Over the last few years, many businesses inthe town centre have been affected by thechallenging economic climate, which is why somany agreed that the time was right for a BID.Shrewsbury town centre competes with manyother destinations, such as Telford and Chester,and with the out-of-town office and retail parks,so there is a real need to work collectivelywith a united sense of purpose to focus on theactivities and projects that can make a positivedifference to doing business in Shrewsbury.BIDs offer a whole new way of deliveringthe projects that matter to a town or city, andbusinesses – as well as their customers andclients – benefit from the activities they deliverand schemes they run, whether that’s through afree parking initiative, a special Christmas event,or promotion of businesses’ views on issues thatmatter in the town.In Shrewsbury, car parking and access tothe town centre were identified as importantissues for a cross-section of businesses, and oneof our first priorities has been to champion freeparking on Sundays for the May and Augustbank-holiday weekends. This was somethingwe have been able to secure byworking collaboratively with thelocal authority and private parkingproviders.We were delighted to reportthat independent retailers andShrewsbury’s two principalshopping centres witnessed asignificant increase in footfall onSunday, May 25. Following thelaunch of free all-day parking– and alongside the success ofthe Shrewsbury Cycle Grand Prix – footfall at theDarwin Centre and Pride Hill rose by over a thirdcompared with last year.By gathering feedback from businesses abouttheir experiences of car parking in the town, wewere also able to submit a collective, businessfocusedresponse to government regarding theDepartment of Transport’s recent consultationon local authorities’ car-parking strategies andenforcement policies.EvolveWe are now holding regular senior-levelmeetings with Shropshire Council on town-centreparking and how it needs to evolve to bettersupport businesses and their clients and customers.We champion business issues, providingdirection in how the town centre is managed,and will be a credible voice at the decisionmakingtable. This includes working with thePolice, Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury TownCouncil, looking at operational and day-to-daymanagement priorities in the town, and securing‘Town Team’ funds to invest in footfall cameras.A vital priority is to deliver high-impactmarketing activity to significantly raise the profileof the town, increase footfall and improvetrading opportunities. Shrewsbury’s distinctivehistory and heritage, its cultural and leisureoffer, including its outstanding selection ofindependent shops, bars and restaurants, makeit a unique and appealing location to visit andstay, as well as a vibrant place in which to investand work. It really is a genuine one-off.We are already working with two localagencies to support the BID’s marketingobjectives, which are to position and promotethe town both commercially and culturally asa vibrant destination. Focusing on high-qualitymarketing, creating targeted campaigns andchampioning a strong and professional brandfor the town are all central to our priorities. Wehave also started work on enhancing the town’swebsite to ensure that it is fully representative ofShrewsbury’s offer, as well as being a key onlineresource for those visiting, working and living inShrewsbury. The website will be live this summer.CompetingWe are competing against local and nationaltowns as a place to do business, so Shrewsburyneeds to stand out from the crowd. We need tobe clever with our resources, and proactive inpromoting the town. We will be striving to helpreduce business costs through economies ofscale, and provide business intelligence and localinformation, as well as championing ideas andschemes to build occupancy and local consumerloyalty within the town.With a committed board of directors fromacross Shrewsbury’s business community, we willbe able to make a significant contribution anddeliver demonstrable change to Shrewsburytown centre.For more information visit www.shrewsburybid.co.uk, follow @OriginalShrews on Twitter, or findShrewsbury on Facebook: OriginalShrewsburyFrom top:● Few places can match Shrewsbury forits beauty – something the BID will helppromote.● The Market Hall helps give Shrewsburyits unique character.● Shopping and dining are a key part of thetown centre’s attraction.Below: The Quarry is a unique featurewhich helps make Shrewsbury so special.BID basics● On a national level,BIDs represent proactive,professional and innovativeplace management, and thisyear marks their tenth year ofoperation in the UK. Duringthis time, they have deliveredreal value to the businesscommunities they serve,representing over £100 millionworth of additional investmentbeing driven into towns andcities where BIDs operateevery year.● BIDs are democraticallyelected by businesseswhich work together toagree the improvementsthat will make a differenceto them. Ultimately, BIDsprovide leadership and givebusinesses greater influenceand impact on how their townis managed and developed.● From Solihull to Stratford,Lincoln to Liverpool, there aremore than 180 BIDs across theUK, representing almost 70,000businesses.● Shrewsbury BID is managedand led by the private sectorthrough a board of directorsthat represents the variousbusinesses and stakeholders inthe town.● A BID is funded throughthe BID levy, which is apercentage of a business’srateable value. Once a ballotis successful the BID levy ismandatory for all eligiblebusinesses.● Income from BIDs canonly be used to carry outprojects and services thatare additional to thosebeing delivered by all publicagencies including the localauthority and Police.● Shrewsbury BID has a fiveyearterm in which to deliverthe projects and priorities inits business plan, after whicha renewal ballot will be heldon a new business plan for afurther BID term.34 35
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