Autumn Update: Christmas Calendar, Green Grants, Lobbying

by Stephanie Kerr | Oct 21, 2022 | Latest News

Hi everyone,

As always there is a lot happening on many fronts. Please click here for our most recent newsletter – in a digital format. This covers the information discussed at our recent Business Meeting last week. Our thanks to the businesses who attended and shared their views and ideas. As contained within we are listening to concerns around parking, rough sleepers and other issues, and we are speaking to Council Leaders about this.

1. In the Newsletter

There are a number of opportunities we wish to highlight as follows:

• Events: We are planning a variety of Christmas activities and events. Please see the Christmas Calendar for key dates and let us know if you wish to get involved in some way.
• Flyer Request: There is still time to give us up to 500 flyers to be distributed in our goodie bags on Small Business Saturday – 3^rd December. Please drop them into the BID office before 25th November.
• Free Parking Days in town: Warwick District Council off-Street Car Parks ONLY (not on-street – as this is County Council run)
  • Sunday 6th November – Christmas Light Switch-on
  • Saturday 3rd December – Small Business Saturday
• Photo & Copy Request: The new Royal Leamington Spa website is LIVE. Please check your profile is up to date and correct. If not, please send us your logo and photos. Here is how:
  • Please upload your business logo and 3 x landscape images at the link below – and you will see all the details including the minimum size (200kb).
  • Upload here: https://bidleamington.com/member-photo-form/
  • Password: leamington  (lowercase).
• Business to Business Offers: Do you have any offers you wish to promote to fellow business owners and employees? We now have a space on the BID website to do this and if there is enough interest, we will put together a mailer. Please email us the details and images.
• Student or Customer Offers: These can be promoted on the refreshed www.royal-leamington-spa.co.uk website. Please email us the details and images.

 2. Dates For the Diary:

• Pumpkin Path: 22nd  –  31st October
• Autumn & Christmas Markets* Sundays on Parade: From 2nd October (no market on Remembrance Sunday) (Organised by Warwick District Council with CJ Events – not BID Leamington)
• Leamington Christmas Light Switch On: Sunday 6th November (Organised by WDC)
• Christmas Scratch Cards: 21st Nov – 16th  December (these go to print next week, so please let us know if you have prizes to offer or instant win offers)
• Social Media Showcase: 21st Nov – 20th  December (let us know if you wish to feature)
• Small Business Saturday & Christmas Goodie Bag Giveaway: Saturday 3rd  December    
  • BID Leamington – flyer distribution deadline 25th November
• Santa’s Post Box – Royal Priors: 3rd – 24th  December
• Leamington Lantern Parade: Sunday 4th December
• Christmas Tree Festival: 10th – 18th December (Organised by Whittle Productions)
• Myton Hospice Santa Dash: 11th December (starts in Victoria Park – organised by Myton Hospice)
• Santa’s Train – Regent Court: 17th -18th  December (TBC)

 3. BID Survey

We have received feedback from over 100 businesses so thank you! Your input is vital in helping shape our priorities. Please let us know if you would like to set up a time to chat through our activities and the support we can offer to your business.

 4. Lobbying for Support – Energy Crisis

Despite all of the political turmoil, we are still working behind the scenes on a joint campaign with industry leaders to secure urgent additional support for businesses facing escalating costs. We know the energy price rises, businesses are facing, are not sustainable and that this is on top of labour shortages and price rises for insurance, wages, national insurance, haulage, repairs etc. We are focusing on ‘asks’ that we know from our lobbying experience can be swiftly delivered and are impactful. We want it to help all business sectors. We are still looking for case studies as well as businesses happy to speak to the press. Thank you to those who have already shared information with us.

5. Green Grant (for SMEs, up to 40%)

Warwickshire County Council has announced a new ‘Green Grant’ scheme today. As always, there are various eligibility requirements. In this case, it is for businesses whose operations can be defined at least 50% Business to Consumer and who employ 50 people or less. We see this scheme as potentially beneficial to businesses who may have already been considering investing in this area – and therefore have the funds to hand (as this covers 40% and the business must invest 60%).

Following a free energy audit, the grant may fund up to 40% of the investment businesses wish to make – and are between £1000 and £20,000. The following items are often identified in an energy audit and provide examples of activities that may be eligible for grant assistance, should the carbon saving per tonne per £1,000 invested be achievable:

• Lighting – LED, controls, sensors
• Heating – replacement boilers/burners, upgrades – electric to gas, zone control, heat recovery, oil to gas, thermal stores,
• Compressors
• Ventilation – fans, distribution
• Refrigeration
• Renewable technologies
• Recycling and waste – compactors, balers and crushers

Please see the website for more details: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/greengrants
We are happy to help with any questions also.

6. Looking Forwards, BID Support – Please Stay in Touch  

Throughout December we will showcase your businesses and products on our websites and social media platforms and this will continue into the New Year. Importantly if you are doing late night shopping or your circumstance change please let us know so we can update our websites and let the wider community know. Also, please email us content and ‘tag’ us into your social media posts.

The Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page, Instagram, twitter and www.loveleamington.com is where we showcase what you are now doing.

Please also join our Leamington Town Centre Facebook Group if you haven’t already and share your ideas, information, promotions etc. We also post updates on the BID Leamington Facebook Page and information on our refreshed BID website: www.bidleamington.com. The business tookbox also contains helpful ideas to make the most out of Christmas.

Very best wishes – please take care and stay in touch.

Steph, Alison and Gary

Business SOS: Worse Than the Pandemic – Business Countdown

by Stephanie Kerr | Sep 8, 2022 | Latest News

Businesses are Counting Down the Days to Collapse

Following rumours of an energy price freeze, over 150,000 businesses from across the UK are urging Government to act on spiralling energy costs which are proving more detrimental than the pandemic. The #BusinessSOS campaign warns of mass closure and redundancies if immediate and effective action isn’t taken – the true situation that Britain faces today.

The newly formed #BusinessSOS campaign, founded by organisations representing over 150,000 retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses warns harm caused by the spiralling energy crisis is superseding the pandemic with the potential to cause irreversible damage to UK high streets and the economy.

The #BusinessSOS campaign believes mass closures and redundancies are inevitable if Government does not swiftly implement measures that alleviate the critical pressures that businesses, like households, have been facing since April 2022.

#BusinessSOS three-point-plan to support ailing businesses:

Reduce VAT

• Headline rate reduced from 20% to 12.5%
• Business energy bills reduced from 20% to 5% to match domestic billing

Business Rates Relief

• 100% rate relief until 31st March 2023

Energy Rate Relief

• A discounted kwh price on all business energy bills

Matthew Sims, Founder of #BusinessSOS campaign and CEO of Croydon BID said,

“The new Prime Minister has days to save the high street as we know it. The impending announcement on how the Government will tackle the energy crisis facing businesses will either ensure businesses can remain trading or set in motion mass closures and redundancies. To say the energy crisis is worse that the pandemic is not an understatement, it is the reality facing businesses today and why the clock is ticking for the new Government to provide clarity and introduce measures providing tangible and immediate relief.”

Stephanie Kerr, Executive Director, BID Leamington said:

“BID Leamington is supporting the Business SOS campaign which calls for critical support for businesses as spiralling energy costs alongside other increases threaten the sustainability of businesses and our town centre.

“In some cases, their energy bills have more than tripled, alongside facing labour shortages and increases in the cost of insurance, wages, deliveries, haulage, products and more. This level of inflation cannot be passed onto the customer, as they too face cost of living challenges.

“Alongside this desperately needed government support, we are also calling on our Local Authority partners to identify support initiatives that they can deliver locally to help businesses, staff and customers.”

Andrew Taylor, Founder of #BusinessSOS campaign and Managing Director of Bart & Taylor said,

“Without immediate intervention local communities will change forever as they lose their social spaces. For the first time in living memory, energy costs are now greater than rent and increasing on a daily basis in the absence of any intervention or price cap since April. After surviving the pandemic it seems ludicrous that the needs of businesses are currently not being heard and could see the billions of funding provided during the pandemic go to waste.”

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, said,

“The hospitality sector is crucial to delivering the business-led growth the new Government is striving for, but we are facing an existential crisis due to soaring energy bills. We’re encouraged by the new Prime Minister’s commitment to tackling energy prices, but we need to see urgent, comprehensive action. As well as a price freeze, we need to see a cut to VAT and a business rates holiday if businesses in the sector are to have any hope of making it through the winter.”

Bill Addy CEO of Liverpool BID and Chair of The BID Foundation said,

“Businesses recognise that they benefited from the immediate support given them during the pandemic but we are in danger of all that support being thrown away as those same businesses that have worked valiantly to recover will be decimated by the cost of living  crisis. Business is now at a watershed moment that needs an urgent response from our new Prime Minister, they need hope and certainty if they are to survive. It is business that will ensure that UK can grew the economy out of the coming recession but do that business needs to survive and that requires urgent action.”

Ojay McDonald, CEO of Association of Town and City Management said,

“Right now, businesses are already deciding to scale back or shut up shop for good. The knock-on impact on employment is unimaginably bad. We need decisive action from the government now to save the high street.

Let’s not shy away from how comprehensive this support needs to be. Energy prices have been unsustainable for months. We are at the stage where a price freeze is inadequate. Discounts on the cost of energy are vital. We also need to halt the decline of consumer confidence to keep businesses trading. That’s why this three-point plan on energy, VAT and businesses rates as a combination is the right route to take.”

Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association said,

“Over the last week we have seen a huge escalation in closure notices from pubs, bars, restaurants, venues and clubs across the country, with over 70% of businesses stating they will be financially compromised within weeks, all of which have stated untenable operating costs as reasons too close.”

“The industry’s future is finely balanced between the delivery of an imminent survival package by the new Chancellor and continued consumer spend and confidence!”

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said:

“The pub and brewing sector makes a huge contribution to our economy in high streets and local communities throughout the country, yet it still remains in a precarious position after the pandemic. Immediate action on energy is critical, but investment in our sector for the long-term is also essential. As the PM works towards a fiscal statement and full budget we hope she will seriously consider a cut to business rates and VAT so Britain’s pubs and brewers can get back on their feet fully and thrive in the communities they proudly serve.”

Joss Croft, CEO, UKinbound said,

“For the UK’s inbound visitor economy, a £28.4 billion export industry, to continue its recovery and exceed pre-pandemic levels, a fully functioning domestic leisure, retail and hospitality industry is absolutely paramount, however the current inflation and energy crisis is set to derail this. We need swift and decisive action from Government to safeguard businesses and jobs across the country.

For all media enquiries and interviews, please contact Katie Blake on 07827812813

Branding: The Dos and Don’ts for the Commonwealth Games & How to Get Involved (Correctly)

by Stephanie Kerr | Jul 18, 2022 | Latest News

As we are now fast approaching the start of the Commonwealth Games, we’re keen to ensure that you have the latest and most up-to-date information possible to ensure that you can prepare your digital marketing. Alongside this, we are going to distribute some approved window stickers in the coming week.

As you would have seen in our previous post – there are strict criteria about use of Commonwealth Games related branding – but organisers do want to encourage involvement.

Accordingly, organisers of the Games have created a set of brand guidelines, images and wording that you can use within your marketing. The guidelines are pretty daunting so we would suggest sticking with the images and wording provided! (please). The guidelines illustrate how to use images and wording for mutual benefit from now until Games time and beyond.

To download the full guidelines click here: https://resources.cwg-qbr.pulselive.com/qbr-commonwealth-games/document/2022/07/01/d89cf64f-2e98-4df6-9c35-b217579e21d1/Birmingahm-2022-Games-Hospitality-Retail-Badge-Guidelines_July-2022.pdf

Games Assets

The Organisers of the Games have designed two Games assets which can be used by retail and hospitality businesses across your platforms to suit your business to Celebrate and Welcome people to our region. This includes:

• Celebrate the Games
• Welcome the Commonwealth

Images To Use (with Approved Copy Below only)

For your ease, we have attached some images of different sizes, for your social media platforms. This includes:

• Facebook Post (Rectangle – Landscape) x 2 (Celebrate & Welcome)
• Instagram Post (Square)  x 2 (Celebrate & Welcome)
• Facebook & Instagram Story (Portrait Rectangle) x 2 (Celebrate & Welcome)

These assets and others, are also available to download AND need to be used alongside their guidelines – as detailed below.

To download the attached images in different sizes, click here: https://www.birmingham2022.com/getset/local-businesses/celebrate

Please note…

Only one permitted Games asset should be used per application so that it is never overexposed or dominating a platform. One visual of the Celebrate 2022 or Welcome 2022 Badge is enough to proudly show your visitors that you are welcoming the Games.

Referencing The Games & Example Copy to Help!

• The following captions have been approved for use by tourism businesses so that they can express their support for the Games: “Celebrating / Welcoming the Games in 2022” Reference.
• The following strapline has been designed to incorporate company names: “[Company Name] celebrates / welcomes the Games in 2022.”
• The following 25/50/100 words have been designed for tourism businesses to adopt in all communications.
• This approved text for the Games has been specifically designed for the hospitality and retail sectors but must not be used alongside promotional messaging. Factual information about the business in relation to the Games is acceptable and can be used in this context, but promoting a meal deal or price points in relation to the Games is not. Further examples are provided below to clearly illustrate this.

Celebrate The Games (Here are a few examples for available in 25, 50 or 100 words). These can be cut and pasted.

25 Words

[Company Name] Celebrates the Games 28 July to 8 August 2022, will see Birmingham and the West Midlands showcased on the global stage. Find out more at Birmingham2022.com

50 Words

[Company Name] Celebrates the Games 28 July to 8 August 2022, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Birmingham and the West Midlands on the global stage as the largest sporting and cultural event in a decade comes to Birmingham. [Company Name] is a proud to celebrate the Games. Find out more at Birmingham2022.com

100 Words (e.g. for Facebook or Instagram)

[Company Name] Celebrates the Games 28 July to 8 August 2022 will see a unique festival of top-class sport and inspirational culture, hosted across Birmingham and the West Midlands. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will place the city, the region and its people on a global stage as world class athletes compete in 19 sports. It’s the largest sporting event in a decade and a chance to be part of something unforgettable. Birmingham is ready and [Company Name] is a proud to celebrate the Games. Find out more at Birmingham2022.com [Factual information about the company]

Welcome The Commonwealth (Here are a few examples for available in 25, 50 or 100 words)

25 Words

[Company Name] Welcomes the Commonwealth 28 July to 8 August 2022, will see Birmingham and the West Midlands showcased on the global stage. Find out more at Birmingham2022.com

50 Words

[Company Name] Welcomes the Commonwealth 28 July to 8 August 2022, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Birmingham and the West Midlands on the global stage as the largest sporting and cultural event in a decade comes to Birmingham. [Company Name] is a proud to welcome the Commonwealth. Find out more at Birmingham2022.com

100 Words

[Company Name] Welcomes the Commonwealth 28 July to 8 August 2022 will see a unique festival of top-class sport and inspirational culture, hosted across Birmingham and the West Midlands. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will place the city, the region and its people on a global stage as world class athletes compete in 19 sports. It’s the largest sporting event in a decade and a chance to be part of something unforgettable. Birmingham is ready and [Company Name] is a proud to welcome the Commonwealth. Find out more at Birmingham2022.com [Factual information about the company]

Here’s an example of what not to say compared to what you can say…

Do’s

• Include the obligatory signpost to the Birmingham 2022 website Birmingham2022.com which must accompany any Games reference (as above).
• Include factual information about your company after this approved text.
• Shout loud about the Games – use the Celebrate 2022 Badge on your web homepage.

Don’t

• Incorporate or include any promotional text next to the Games approved text
• Create / use a designation or caption that is not listed here (above)
• Refer to the trademarked Games title – “Birmingham 2022” or “Commonwealth Games” (expect if mentioning the website address as per the example above).

Please look at these examples carefully. You will see the correct example does not promote the business a location for the games, and does use the correct copy as above (click on image to zoom in).

Social Media Guidelines

The principles outlined below must be applied to any Games reference on social media channels. Although promoting your business in relation to the Games is prohibited, they encourage participation and sharing of content and posts.

Some more do’s and don’ts:

• Do not associate: do not include any promotional messaging alongside any reference to the Games.
• Do not use any Protected Games Property: do not post any logos, text or other marks that would infringe upon the intellectual property/rights of Birmingham 2022 (see pages 21 – 24 for more information).
• Use approved text: “[Company name] is a Games Celebrator! Birmingham2022.com”.
• Be judicious – do not post confidential information: do not post or discuss confidential information about Birmingham 2022 or any of its partners.
• Use links and references: when creating content, be sure to include useful links and reference material. If you are linking to the Birmingham 2022 website please use this link: birmingham2022.com.
• On Twitter, use the Birmingham 2022 hashtag: when creating a tweet that is referencing anything to do with Birmingham 2022 please use the appropriate hashtag, #B2022.

For more information or advice about using their brand identity, please contact: Marketing Department of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Email: Marketing@Birmingham2022.com.

Hope this helps and please get in touch if you’re not sure about any of the points raised here. We are happy to have a chat with you if unsure.

Best Wishes,

Alison, Steph and Gary

May Update: Upcoming Events, Celebrations & Activities

by Stephanie Kerr | May 24, 2022 | Latest News

March Update: Meeting, Rates, Road Works & Events

by Stephanie Kerr | Mar 18, 2022 | Latest News

We hope you are all well. Please see below a quick update on some questions that have been coming to us lately – and information about our upcoming business meeting.

BID Business Meeting: Wednesday 30th March
The Royal Pug (141 Regent Street, upstairs)
Arrive 5.30pm for a 6pm start.

Please see (image above) our invitation to our next Business Meeting. This will be an opportunity to hear about the variety of events and activities coming up in town. This includes the 70th Queens Jubilee Celebrations and the Commonwealth Games and we will be joined by representatives organising this. We will also update you on emerging developments and investment in the town centre – as well as all our upcoming promotions and activities.

Please email info@bidleamington2022.mystagingwebsite.com if you wish to join us, so we can plan for your attendance.

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Road Works 

We have fed back business concerns relating to the impact of the extensive road works in and around Leamington to Warwickshire County Council and Warwick District Council. The issue has also been raised and discussed in parliament by our local MP Matt Weston. Like many, we feel there should have been better planning and coordination between the various agencies delivering works this year. Questions have also been raised about the timing of some works given we had a period of two years during Covid when roads were quieter.

However, we are conscious of how we mitigate impacts now and have asked Warwickshire County Council about compensation for businesses. You can also write to them by clicking here. As below we are also busy planning to activate the town centre wonderfully this summer.

To stay up to date with current works – and plan for future ones please see this link to a local map of planned works.

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Business Rates Information

A number of businesses have asked us about what businesses rates they will be paying in the year ahead (1^st April 2022 – 31^st March 2023). As in the past, the amount you pay is related to the rateable value of the property from which you do business and the type of business you are (i.e. retail, hospitality, office etc). The rates multiplier and any rates relief is then applied. You can find your rateable value on the VOA by clicking here.

Please see some key information for 2022 – 23:

• Small Business Rate Relief will continue at 100% for eligible businesses with a rateable value of 12,000 or less and on a % sliding scale for those with a rateable value of 12,001 – 14,999.
• At the Budget, on 27th October 2021, the Chancellor announced the introduction of a new business rates relief scheme for retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth almost £1.7 billion in 2022-23. This will support the businesses that make our high streets and town centres a success and help them to evolve and adapt to changing consumer demands.
• The 2022/23 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief scheme will provide eligible, occupied, retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a 50% relief, up to a cash cap limit of £110,000 per business.
• The Government anticipates that local authorities will include details of the relief to be provided to eligible ratepayers for 2022/23 in their bills for the beginning of the 2022/23 billing cycle.
• The guidance sets out the eligibility criteria for the scheme – as well as some examples of how it will be applied, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/business-rates-guidance-202223-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-relief-scheme/202223-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-relief-scheme-local-authority-guidance
• The Business Rates multiplier rate is also staying the same this year with no increase.

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Some Key Dates for Your Diary

Below are some keys dates of interest. We will update you further on activities surrounding these events at our Business Meeting – and in our forthcoming newsletter. Please do not hesitate to give us a call if you wish to discuss any of these in more detail.

Please note, the events with * are organised by BID Leamington. The others are organised by various other groups and organisations with whom we have some contact so can put you in touch.

As always, we have lots of news, events and activities coming up, so please look out for our future updates.

You may have seen in recent news we are working with a small group of partners to deliver a feasibility study investigating a future event in Leamington – reigniting the historic ‘Lights of Leamington’. Information and a survey on this can be found here: https://lightsofleamington.co.uk/. You can also find out more via this Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LightsofLeamington.

Don’t forget the Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page, Instagram and twitter is where we showcase what you are doing / offering. Please also join our Leamington Town Centre Facebook Group if you haven’t already and share your ideas, information, promotions etc. We also post updates on the BID Leamington Facebook Page and information here on our website.

Please stay in touch and we look forward to seeing you soon,

Steph and Alison

Lights of Leamington Feasibility Study Begins

by Stephanie Kerr | Mar 7, 2022 | Latest News

Memories of a historic community event, which treated visitors to a kaleidoscope of light installations, music and performances, are being sought as part of a study which could see it return to Leamington.

BID Leamington has secured funding from Arts Council England to conduct a feasibility study into reviving the Lights of Leamington festival for the town.

The festival ran in Jephson Gardens in July and August from 1951 to 1961 and saw the park and its trees lit in a rainbow of colour, including installations like magical animals, characters from fairy tales and city skylines.

There were also clowns and puppets, an open-air ballet, and food and drink stalls run by local businesses at the event which brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Leamington.

A steering group has now been created which will be conducting a feasibility study in conjunction with Curated Place, an award-winning creative arts production company, to explore how the festival could be brought back with a renewed purpose for the businesses, communities and people of Leamington.

The research will consider how the event would be funded, what the modern-day festival could look like, the logistics of delivering it and most importantly, if it is something that residents across the area would welcome.

As part of this, those who attended or worked at the original event over the years are being encouraged to share their memories of Lights of Leamington, reflecting on what made it special and why it was so popular.

Residents, businesses and community groups across Leamington will be invited to sign up for workshops where they can get involved in the exciting challenge of making the historic festival fit for the 21^st century and what they might like it to include.

Anyone who would like to contribute is being invited to first complete a short survey and register their interest for ongoing updates at www.lightsofleamington.co.uk. A Lights of Leamington Facebook page has also been created to capture people’s thoughts and keep people informed of opportunities to get involved.

The potential return of the event has already received support from MP Matt Western, Royal Leamington Spa Town Council, Warwick District Council and Warwick District Creative Compact.

Stephanie Kerr, executive director of BID Leamington, said: “We were thrilled to receive a research grant from Arts Council England to see if it is possible to bring Lights of Leamington back.

“The approach of the BID is to help make the town centre a community centre, so we want to make sure the community is meaningfully involved in shaping the idea.

“We want to gauge interest and support and find out everything from what people would like to see and how it could be delivered, to the time of year they think it should take place.

“Our hope is to reinvent the festival for a new generation, embracing new technologies while reflecting its history, and we are very excited to be working with Curated Place, who bring considerable experience and expertise.”

Andy Brydon, director of Curated Place, said: “We are delighted to be working on this unique project that is deeply rooted in the history and memory of Leamington Spa.

“We specialise in planning, developing, delivering, managing and marketing major arts and music commissions, festivals, exhibitions across the UK and internationally.

“Drawing on our passion and experience, we will engage with the community and conduct research to map out a plan for bringing the Lights back to Leamington in a way that is both authentic to the memory but also looking to the future.”

Councillor Liam Bartlett, Warwick District Council Portfolio holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, added: “Lights of Leamington was a very special community event that ran for over 10 years and we know many people have fond memories of attending.

“We are very much in support of the feasibility study approach and look forward to seeing the outcome of the research.”

For more information, please see:

OUR SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HX2JG5D

WEBSITE: www.lightsofleamington.co.uk/

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/LightsofLeamington