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
by Stephanie Kerr | May 24, 2022 | Latest News
We hope you are well. Please see below for a quick update on activities and promotions
you can get involved in – as well as
key dates for your diary. Some like the ‘offers’ opportunities and website updates are more immediate, while the Lights of Leamington research seeks to understand your views for the future. We are also
very aware of the challenges facing businesses and our community in terms of rising costs so please look out for an email soon with
details of a support package (including an energy audit and savings advice) we are putting together.
1. Little Book Of Offers, Taste Leamington & Art in the Spa
An offers book will be produced ready for the summer and autumn season – and is open to all. Also, alongside our ‘art in the spa’ directory, we will also produce a ‘taste’ directory produced to go directly into the hands of visitors. Offers can be valid from mid-July to October, to cover the Commonwealth Games, Art in the Park, and Food & Drink Festival.
Please drop us an email with your offer by the 8th of June, if you wish to be included?
2. The Lights of Leamington Research
As previously reported, a local steering group has secured grant funding from Arts Council England to research the return of this amazing historical event – and the feasibility study is now well underway. We very much want to hear from the business community as we know that events like this must draw people into town and involve local businesses.
Curated Place will be hosting online workshops with local businesses and the creative community and / or please complete our survey (if you haven’t already). It takes around 15min and has a specific business section where we want to understand how this can benefit you. This might be by using your products or expertise, running the event in a quiet time of year, or having installations located in different places around town – so we would love to capture this information from you.
ALSO – please email us, if you are interested in attending an online workshop to learn more? (outside of core work hours, no more than 1 hour, date in June TBC).
3. Queens Jubilee – Windows and Bunting
We will be showcasing all of your Jubilee inspired shop window designs throughout the month across digital channels. Please let us know if you would like any ‘red, white and blue’ bunting?
4. Dates for the Diary
Please see below and at this link (please click) a list of upcoming events between now and September, that you may wish to note in the diary and / or get more involved in. Please note, only the Food Festival is solely organised by us, but we are in contact with the organisers of other events if you wish to find out more.
| Date |
Event Name |
Location |
| 02 until 05 June |
Queens Jubilee Weekend |
Town Centre |
| 02 June |
The lighting of the Beacon |
Town Centre & Pump Rooms |
| 04 June |
Right Royal Picnic |
Pump Room Gardens |
| 26 June |
Leam Half Marathon |
Town |
| 28 Jul until 8 August |
Commonwealth Games – Big screen |
Pump Room Gardens |
| 29 Jul until 6 August |
Commonwealth Games Bowls |
Victoria Park |
| 13 & 14 August |
Art in the Park |
Jephson Gardens |
| 14 August |
Bikerlott |
Old Town |
| 20 August |
Warwickshire Pride |
Pump Room Gardens |
| 25 Aug until 11 Sep |
National Bowls Competition |
Victoria Park |
| 10 & 11 September |
Leamington Food Festival* |
Pump Room Gardens |
| 25 September |
Cars at the Spa |
Pump Room Gardens |
| Last Sunday each month |
Covent Garden Quarter Markets |
Warwick Street |
5. Attract, Surprise, Inspire, Delight, Support and Lobby
Right now there is a lot happening behind the scenes and the BID Board is meeting regularly to discuss ideas and offer feedback.
We are planning activities that will attract, surprise, inspire and delight visitors in our town centre, and showcase local businesses and products, and well as a package of bespoke business support measures.
We are also speaking to local authorities, the LEP, MP, and investors and working with others to secure more support for businesses. This includes identifying (and lobbying for) grants and advice to support energy and business cost savings, engaging on new town centre developments and investment (e.g. the Argos site and House of Fraser’s new tenant Sumo, Future High St Fund and Share Prosperity Fund), vigorously challenging local price rises to services (car parking, parks etc), reviewing government proposals on business rates multiplier freeze /online tax (debate), tackling local vacant units and engaging with emerging government policy on this complex issue, and addressing emerging policy on carbon taxes and waste, among other things. There is a dizzying array of information circulating, which we will summarise as things become clearer.
This will be relevant to all sectors in different ways – so please keep a watch out for forthcoming emails and our newsletter very soon. For now, we wanted to keep this short as we know you are busy.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have ideas or wish to learn more. Also, don’t forget to keep sending us your offers, product photos, promotions, job opportunities – and anything you wish for us to promote on our website and social media. A quick email to info@bidleamington2022.mystagingwebsite.com is all it takes.
Best wishes,
Steph and Alison
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 (1st April 2022 – 31st 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.
| Dates – 2022 |
Event |
| Last Sunday each month starting February |
Covent Garden Quarter Markets (Warwick Street) |
| 10th April |
Regency Run |
| 15th– 18th April |
Easter Weekend Trail and Activities* |
| 2nd until 5th June (4 day public holiday) |
Queens Jubilee Weekend |
| 4th June |
Leamington ‘Right Royal Picnic’ Jubilee Event in the Pump Room Gardens* |
| 26th June |
Leam Half Marathon |
| 28th July until 8th August (12 days) |
Commonwealth Games – LIVE site and Big screen in Pump Room Gardens |
| 29th July until 6th August |
Commonwealth Games Bowls in Victoria Park |
| 13th & 14th August |
Art in the Park |
| 20th August |
Warwickshire Pride |
| 25th August until 11th September |
National Bowls Competition – Victoria Park |
| 10th & 11th September |
Leamington Food Festival* |
| 25th September |
Cars at the Spa |
| October onwards |
Sunday Markets |
| 31st October |
Halloween Trail* |
| November onwards |
Christmas Markets |
| TBC |
Christmas Light Switch-on |
| 5th December |
Leamington Lantern Parade* |
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
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 21st 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
by Stephanie Kerr | Dec 21, 2021 | Covid-19 News, Latest News
Morning everyone,
We hope you are all well. It has been a little while since our October newsletter (please view here) and we know some of you are very busy – while others will be once again digesting government advice relating to increasing Covid cases.
We want to keep this brief – but also reassure you of the support that is available as we go forwards. There is also a lot of behind-the-scenes work and lobbying going on, to ensure you and businesses around the Country are adequately supported as the situation changes.
Accordingly, this email contains the most up-to-date advice we have right now, but it will likely change, so please watch out for our emails and follow the social media and website pages listed at the bottom of the page as we will also post updates there.
This update covers the following:
- Business Booster – Lobbying for Support (Again)
- Grants – Yesterday’s Announcement – Websites to Bookmark
- Christmas Update & New Year Planning
- Looking Forwards, BID Support – Please Stay in Touch …
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1. Business Booster Campaign – Lobbying for Support (Again).
Very quickly, we felt that you should know we have been working with other BIDs around England, to lobby for additional business support following the Plan B announcement two weeks ago.
We know that this impacted hospitality particularly, but our ‘asks’ apply to retail, leisure and hospitality sector businesses. The letter that was sent to the Chancellor on the 19th of December can be viewed here (please click here) – and a jpeg image of the ‘asks’ is below for your information.
In summary, this included:
- BUSINESS RATES RELIEF: provide businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with 100% Business Rate Relief for up to and including 31st March 2022 [no cap]. After which we call on the Government to support the recovery by providing businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a 50% Business Rate Relief from 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022 [no cap].
- VAT EXTENSION: extend the current VAT reduction for the hospitality sector of 12.5% through to 31st March 2023 to allow for recovery.
- GRANTS: introduce grants up to £15,000 by rateable value to businesses within the hospitality, retail and leisure sector in light of a difficult festive trading period, uncertain outlook and the impending rent quarter date of 25th December 2021.
As set out below, while today’s announcement is welcome – as you can see above and below, our industry colleagues feel the government will need to go further so will continue to engage with MPs and decision makers. Please let us know if you would like to support this work (on social media, with case study information etc).
2. Grants – Yesterday’s Announcement – Website to Bookmark
Yesterday’s announcement from the Chancellor of a £1bn fund for the hospitality sector and an extra £30m to help theatres and museums shows that he is listening to business concerns. In summary it includes:
- Grants for hospitality and leisure businesses in England, worth up to £6,000 per premise. These will be administered through local authorities.
- The resumption of the statutory sick pay rebate scheme, which will reimburse employers in the UK with fewer than 250 workers for the cost of paying statutory sick pay for Covid-related absences for up to two weeks.
- £30 million further funding enabling more cultural organisations in England to apply for support during the winter (via the Culture Recovery Fund).
Grant Availability
Grants for Leamington hospitality and leisure businesses will once again be administered by Warwick District Council (WDC).
We were in contact with WDC in anticipation last week and again yesterday – to ensure that teams are being mobilised to deploy information and grants as swiftly as possible. We are not yet sure if there will be an application process, but we know it is urgently needed and we will keep businesses updated via this email and our social media pages (at the bottom of this email).
In addition, the WDC website has been updated with a holding statement – so please bookmark these pages:
Next Steps & Further Lobbying (For those who feel this falls short and those missed out)
On balance, the response to this has been mixed. It overlooks a number of sectors who have also been hit hard recently including hair and beauty, travel and others who have also seen cancellations. As set out above our asks cover all sectors, so this remains our focus. We are also conscious that the offer of ‘up to’ £6000 for hospitality and leisure will do little to cover recent losses. Below is a statement from Matt Sims who founded the ‘Business Booster’ Campaign:
“This isn’t the bailout businesses across the UK need and have been waiting for since Plan B was announced over two weeks ago. A £1bn package of support sounds impressive, but is a headline that distracts from the true reality that these are token measures and in no way reflect the reality that hospitality businesses are facing.”
“A £6,000 grant in no way compensates for the dramatic loss in trading hospitality businesses in particular are facing, and more important they can’t wait weeks for financial aid.”
“With speculation mounting of further restrictions, we need the Government to ensure any announcement is accompanied with a revised raft of financial support and measures to ensure hospitality, retail and leisure businesses get the support they need to mitigate closure and redundancies.”
So for now please stay in touch. As always we welcome your feedback and ‘on the ground experience’. We know that business circumstances vary widely and are available to help in a variety of areas, including signposting Health & Wellbeing, HR, financial and legal support.
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3. Christmas Update & New Year Planning
Taking account of recent uncertainty we wanted to reflect on the last month and signpost some options for the new year. Whilst we know footfall does not tell the whole story, our footfall cameras on Parade show that our recovery has been strong. Since September we have consistently reached 2019 levels – which bodes well for our ability to bounce back whatever comes our way in future. By percentage, our ‘footfall to date’ is above the midlands and national average.
(Click to view footfall graph)
We feel that we have a wonderful, local, connected local community that contributes to this resilience. Love Leamington #LoveLeam and the shop local message is valued and we know many people have enjoyed our Lantern Parade, Christmas Goody Bags (x250 on Small Business Saturday), Santa’s Post Box (over 700 letters to date), Elf Workshop and other partnerships (such as with Atmap) and activities.
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4. Looking Forwards, BID Support – Please Stay in Touch
Throughout December we continued to showcase your businesses and products on our websites and social media platforms and this will continue into the New Year. Importantly if 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 website here.
We are optimistic that once we get over this next hurdle, 2022 is going to be fantastic. We are looking forward to the Queens Jubilee, the Commonwealth Games and lots more which we will update you on in due course.
In the meantime, we wish you and your teams a very safe and Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Very best wishes – please take care and stay in touch.
Steph, Alison and Gary
by Stephanie Kerr | Nov 30, 2021 | Covid-19 News, Latest News
As a result of a new Covid variant that has been identified, at 4am today UK government introduced new rules requiring face masks to be worn in shops, banks, post offices, hairdressers etc (but not hospitality venues). Information about this can be found by clicking here.
To support your communications, we have created some Christmas-themed social media images that you are welcome to save and use. We have a series of ‘square images’ perfect for Instagram and Facebook – and they can be used in ‘twos’ with the final ‘Love Leam’ image.
We also have ‘rectangle’ images perfect for Twitter or Facebook. Finally, we have some ‘we’re masking nicely’ and ‘endgame’ images and posters available offering an additional dash of creativity and kindness. Some examples are provided below.
Since restrictions were lifted in July we have been closely monitoring local Covid rates. At that time (23rd July) local cases were 585.7 cases per 100,000 people which was comparatively quite high. Since then numbers have fluctuated as follows:
- July 23rd – 585.7 cases per 100,000 people
- August 20th – 283.6 per cases per 100,000 people
- September 24th – 311.2 cases per 100,000 people
- October 22nd – 624.5 cases per 100,000 people
- November 19th – 319.5 cases per 100,000 cases people
- November 26th – 384.4 cases per 100,000 people
These figures are drawn from regular updates we receive from Warwick Drictick Council and can be verified here: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/archive.
Alongside this, the Local Authority and other organizations have been proactive in encouraging people to get vaccinated and offering associated services. Thanks to the great work of our local health service providers and volunteers several walk-in clinics are available. For example, we can now ‘grab a jab’ this weekend at:
- Warwick – Northgate House
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 November, 10am-4pm
- Kenilworth – Former Ramada Hotel
Sunday 28 November, 10am-2pm
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any information or advice. As well as up-to-date Covid information we are closely monitoring footfall and our door is always open. Please also stay in touch so you can get involved in our upcoming Christmas promotions.
Best wishes over the coming weeks,
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Steph, Alison & Gary
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by Stephanie Kerr | Aug 3, 2021 | Latest News
Why we are refocussing on our online communities and why that matters.
Reflecting on how the past year has changed the town centre, our community and our role supporting it, we are currently undertaking a review of the town’s ‘Royal Leamington Spa’ and ‘Love Leamington’ brands, and that includes how we create a dialogue with locals and visitors through our social media.
Among other things, the pandemic highlighted the huge amount of LOVE people have for businesses in our town centre. We have also seen the ‘Love Leamington’ brand, the LoveLeam hashtag and www.loveleamington.com take centre stage, and recognise the huge role that digital marketing now plays in supporting local prosperity.
Over the past 10 years we have amassed over 25,000 followers across our channels and, being early adopters of social media some of our older names and accounts such as @LeamingtonGuide on Twitter now feel confusing, while others were created to serve a need that has now shifted. Reflecting the need to consolidate some platforms, and expand into other newer more relevant channels, we are taking our social media followers on a journey.
And we hope you will join us …
Going forward, ‘Love Leamington’ will become a constant across the town centres’ digital universe. ‘Love’ reflects the wonderful shift towards supporting our local businesses… and the location of those we support – the literal the ‘heart’ of the town.
Importantly, ‘Royal Leamington Spa’ will form a key element in our searchable bios across all our platforms. We will also be aligning our content around our audience needs, and four strategic pillars of: ‘community’, ‘the senses’, ‘service’ and ‘trust’.
So, look out for these changes, and give us a thumbs up, like or a heart to let us know you’re on board:
@LeamingtonGuide on Twitter will now become @LoveLeamington.
@leamington_town_centre on Instagram will also become @LoveLeamington. This is the most significant change – as we invite you to move.
and we will remain @RoyalLeamingtonSpaTownCentre on Facebook.
Various events (such as the Food Festival) and Facebook pages and groups (such as BID Leamington) will continue as before, and we also have some new platforms coming online soon.
Please continue to tag your posts #LoveLeam so we can find and share your content too. Where relevant, you can also use #TasteLeam and #LeamFoodFest.
Together these changes will help us to deliver more meaningful communications to you and foster even more loyalty, trust and support.
Please stay tuned for further blogs with more detail on our emerging strategy to support town centre businesses, attract investment, keep our community connected, celebrate positive experiences, and continue to ensure our town centre is a community with a real heart.
by Stephanie Kerr | Apr 2, 2021 | Covid-19 News, Latest News
Business Update: Restart Grant – Applications Open
We hope you are all well and able to enjoy the start of the Easter and lighter evenings …Below is some important and welcome information relating to the ‘restart grants’ … you do need to apply online this time…
1. Business ‘Restart Grant’ – Applications Now Open
The restart grant relates to the announcement of further grant funding for retail, hospitality and leisure sector businesses in the Chancellors budget on 3 March. For eligible businesses (please see the link below), there is 1 x grant per rateable premise. There are two ‘stands’ of funding, offering different lump sum amounts as follows:
- Strand one – Non-essential retail (rated premises – please see eligibility lists)
- RV of £15,000 or under – One off payment of £2667
- RV of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 – One off payment of £4000
- RV of exactly £51,000 or over – One off payment of £6000
- Strand two – Hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym (rated premises – please see eligibility lists)
- RV of £15,000 or under – One off payment of £8000
- RV of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 – One off payment of £12000
- RV of exactly £51,000 or over – One off payment of £18000
It has now been confirmed you do need to complete a new online application for this scheme.
You will see there are a number of questions, as well as some mandatory information that has been added by BEISS this time around.
Payments to businesses will begin being made after the 6th of April, 2021.
ALL WDC Information and Eligibility Criteria can be found here: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20068/business_awards_and_grants/1683/restart_grants
The Online Application Form is here: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/xfp/form/244
We hope this is welcome news for many of you – but we are always conscious of those who are not eligible / excluded and fall through the funding gaps. Reflecting this, we have already reached out to WDC to make a case for additional support for these businesses and we will keep you informed, however we always welcome your thoughts.
Full government guidance on the ‘restart scheme’ can be found by clicking here (PDF) doc.
To check your rateable value on the VOA please click here: https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates
2. Other Existing Grant Schemes
‘Closed Business Grant’ Scheme (16th February to 31st March, 2021)
WDC notified us around 3rd March that they had made a bulk payment to ‘closed businesses’ for the ongoing closed grants to cover the period from 16th February to 31st March. For many businesses this payment was automatic, based on you having previously applied for earlier grants, however for those that are new or had not previously applied, you still have up to 31 May 2021 to apply (if you have not done so already).
The details of the grant scheme, including amounts and links to apply retrospectively are here: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20068/business_awards_and_grants/1684/closed_business_payment_from_16_february_to_31_march
New ARG Grant Scheme for Taxi Drivers and Private Hire Firms
We appreciate this may not be relevant to most of our members, but if you know anyone who may benefit from their please forward on the details. There is a new ARG scheme starting at Midday Friday 9th April. This ARG part F is exclusive to taxi drivers and private hire firms only. Details and eligibility criteria are here: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20068/business_awards_and_grants/1638/additional_restrictions_grant_arg
Any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask …
3. Looking Forwards
We continue to look toward April 12th with our fingers crossed and are working on a variety of plans to support the safe opening of our town centre.
In the meantime, please reach out if there is anything we can support you with. Don’t forget you can find a range of support information contained in previous emails and on our website including:
Also, the Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page, Instagram, twitter and www.loveleamington.com is where we showcase what you are now doing, so please keep us updated on your plans.
Please 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 website: www.bidleamington2022.mystagingwebsite.com.
Best wishes – please take care and stay in touch.
Best wishes – please take care and stay in touch …
Steph & Alison
by Stephanie Kerr | Mar 17, 2021 | Covid-19 News, Latest News
Business Update: Grants, Rates, Closures, Outside Trading
Morning everyone,
I hope you are all well.
We are looking towards April 12th with our fingers crossed and working on a variety of plans to support the safe opening of our town centre. This quick update covers the following:
- Grant Funding & Business Rates Relief
- Parade Road Closure Update
- Pavement & Highway Trading Licencing – Hospitality Sector
- Next Steps, Events, Please Stay in Touch…
1. Grant Funding & Business Rates Relief
Business Restart Grant (April onwards)
WDC grant updates and information is here: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20068/business_awards_and_grants.
Following the announcement of further grant funding for retail, hospitality and leisure sector businesses in the Chancellors budget on 3 March, WDC are still awaiting guidance from BEIS on this scheme. Accordingly they are unable to provide businesses with detailed information about applicable amounts or qualifying criteria.
The expectation is that guidance will be published on March 22nd and that no payments can be made before April. We are not yet sure if there will be an application process either. We know this support funding is urgently needed and will keep you updated.
Retail Relief for 2021/22
Also announced in the Chancellors March 3 budget, was an extension to retail relief and nursery relief. Eligible businesses will get 100% of retail or nursery relief until 30 June 2021. After this date, 66% relief will be awarded.
WDC have confirmed that businesses will not be issued with a bill for the 100% relief period until June. A new bill will be issued in June showing the 66% relief and the instalments for the rest of the financial year.
If you wish to opt out of these reliefs being applied to your account, please send an enquiry form to the business rates team, clearly stating you wish to opt out and stating your business rate reference number.
Grant Closing Dates:
Please note, all of the existing grant schemes have closing dates.
So, if you have not applied / received any grant funding to date, or know someone who has a business who has not applied, please encourage them to make contact with Warwick District Council. This is particularly relevant to new businesses. Please see this link for relevant closing dates and details: https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20068/business_awards_and_grants.
Of note, all of the LRSG payments end on 31st march for new applications, except for the payment period of 16th Feb – 31st March, which closes for new applications on 31st May. So effectively, if someone applies on 1st April for retrospective closed payments, they’ll only be able to have paid the period from 16th Feb – 31st March, regardless of if they’ve been closed since 5th November.
Any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
2. Parade Closure Update
Thank you to those who took part in our survey. The closure of the Parade continues to divide the opinion of businesses, residents and customers. You may have seen some recent press on this – both in respect to a local petition (please click here to view) and more recently a statement from Warwickshire County Council confirming their position now and in the future.
Warwickshire County Council Statement in the Courier: https://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/news/people/parade-in-leamington-to-remain-temporarily-pedestrianised-to-support-the-safe-reopening-of-the-town-centre-in-april-3166861
In summary, County Council Officers and Local Councillors agreed that the temporary closure will remain in place, to facilitate social distancing and outdoor trading while Covid restrictions, until June 21 at the earliest. After this time, assuming the roadmap does not change, it will be removed.
Officers and Councillors are in agreement that the closure is temporary, and any discussions or options for future changes will be done separately, as there remains a large number of unresolved challenges with the current scheme. This will be developed with stakeholder input and will be widely consulted on.
If you have not completed our survey yet, we would still be grateful for your feedback. You can find it here:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6HB8P3Q
3. Pavement Licensing – Hospitality Sector
Yesterday we emailed hospitality sector businesses a PDF guide to applying to a licence to trade on the pavement or highway. Please get in touch if you missed this email, or need further support or advice.
Key points are:
- Placing seating on the pavement or highway requires a licence from Warwick District Council (WDC).
- In the case of highway applications (e.g. parking spaces, loading bays, vehicle lanes) we recommend you obtain pre-application advice from Warwickshire County Council (WCC) in advance of applying. Once you apply, WDC will consult Warwickshire County Council (WCC) when assessing your application.
- Applications cost £100. This is non-refundable (even if refused) and there is no legal appeal procedure but WDC will help you as much as they can.
- Once submitted, the process takes 10 working days.
- Within this, there is a 5 day public consultation period, where you have to advertise your application on your window.
- To have outdoor seating approved by April 12th, and accounting for public holidays, applications should be submitted by March 24th.
- You require a range of supporting plans and insurance documents.
- BID Leamington is happy to support you.
Key Links and Contacts are:
4. Next Steps, Projects, Getting Involved
BID Projects – Easter, Food Festival, Opening Support:
As mentioned in our last update, we are tentatively preparing for a range of promotions and future events.
- Our Mother’s Day online promotion is currently live and runs until 31st March.
- Over 50 businesses have signed up to the Town Centre Easter Egg Hunt and the list is now finalised. This will be delivered via egg shaped window vinyls for those that signed up, and also online. There will be two town centre trails based around a hunt for the golden egg.
- We are tentatively beginning preparations for the Food & Drink Festival. If permitted, it will be 11th and 12th September, 2021. If you are interested in attending, please make contact with us by the 10th of April. Please email: alison@bidleamington2022.mystagingwebsite.com.
- Finally, please get in touch if you need any fresh social distancing stickers or posters.
Other Activities – WDC Spark 2021 Online Talks:
Recently, I was pleased to deliver a presentation on local ‘placemaking’ and the role the local community can play in supporting renewal, at the Warwick District Council ‘Spark Ignite’ 2021 conference. Many fascinating talks are now available online and cover a variety of topics.
BID Support / Advice:
In the meantime, please reach out if there is anything we can support you with. Don’t forget you can find a range of support information contained in previous emails and on our website including:
Also, the Royal Leamington Spa Town Centre Facebook page, Instagram, twitter and www.loveleamington.com is where we showcase what you are now doing, so please keep us updated on your plans.
Please 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 website: www.bidleamington2022.mystagingwebsite.com.
Best wishes – please take care and stay in touch.
Best wishes and stay safe,
Steph & Alison
by Stephanie Kerr | Mar 16, 2021 | Covid-19 News, Latest News
Hospitality: Outdoor Trading Licensing …
Hi everyone,
I hope you are well.
You are no doubt aware of the continuing restrictions facing hospitality sector businesses from April 12th until at least May 117th whereby trading is only permitted outdoors.
Alongside this, regulations licencing trading on pavements and highways have been updated and extended.
Specifically, the process for licencing businesses to trade outdoors was transferred from Warwickshire County Council (WCC) to Warwick District Council (WDC) – though WCC remains in charge of highways (parking space, loading bays, lanes etc).
Then on the 8th March 2021, Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick issued a letter to Local Authorities extending national guidance and making it easier and cheaper for pubs, restaurants and cafes to continue to make al fresco dining a reality with outside seating, tables and street stalls to serve food and drinks.
After reviewing the guidance, consulting WDC we have produced the attached guide. Please email us on info@bidleamington2022.mystagingwebsite.com to receive a copy.
This walks through the key steps, links, contacts and some helpful information to consider if you are thinking about applying for a pavement or highway trading licence and obtaining equipment.
Please note, if applying to trade on the highway we recommend you consult the highway authority (Warwickshire County Council (WCC) first. This will mean that any subsequent application to WDC (the licencing authority) will not be stopped in its tracks. We are happy to help and / or be cc’ed into any emails etc.
Key points in the attached presentation are:
- Placing seating on the pavement or highway requires a licence from Warwick District Council (WDC).
- In the case of highway applications (e.g. parking spaces, loading bays, vehicle lanes) we recommend you obtain pre-application advice from Warwickshire County Council (WCC) in advance of applying. Once you apply, WDC will formally consult WCC when assessing your application.
- Applications cost £100. This is non-refundable (even if refused) and there is no appeal procedure, but WDC will do what they can to help you.
- Once submitted, the process takes 10 working days.
- Within this, there is a 5 day public consultation period (which you must advertise on your business).
- To have outdoor seating approved by April 12th, and accounting for public holidays, applications should be submitted by March 24th.
- You require a range of supporting plans and insurance documents.
- BID Leamington is happy to support you where we can – please see within for details.
Key Links and Contacts are:
We appreciate this is a lot and it will not be viable for everyone, but we hope it helps. As contained within, this is a developing document, so please keep us updated with your experiences and we will update this information as required. There are also a number of parallel ongoing discussions about the use of certain green spaces and road closures, so we will keep relevant businesses updated.
As always, please drop us an email if you need support and we will do our best to help – and please keep us updated with your opening plans and preparations.
Best wishes and stay safe,
Steph & Alison
