Once a year the BID encourages streets to meet on an individual basis as whilst there are many generic proejcts the BID can pursue to help the whole area - such as social media etc - each street is a little different. Thus coming up please remember there will be no board meeting for August, street meetings instead and organised as follows:
North Street (ie Lower or eastern end - towards Cannon St) Monday 10th August 6pm at Kask (in the Garden) - Emma from InRecovery is organising
North Street (ie Tobacco Factory end) - awaiting date
East Street Tuesday 4th August 6pm at Sea Pearl - Olivia from Bubble Cafe is organising
West Street - already completed, thanks Stef!
The aims of the meetings are to share ideas that answer the following questions:
What do we want the BID to do on this (part of) street in the next year
Fresh and outside 'the box' thinking welcomed
Feedback up to 3 ideas answering as much of what, how, who, when how much (£s) as possible
Finally below is a newsletter prepared by the city council with ‘Items of Interest’ for the retail sector in particular which I hope you find helpful. Thank you.
George
BCC - This week’s Items of Interest:
1. In line with UK Government guidance, we are in the process of contacting eligible retail, hospitality and leisure businesses from across the city to let them know they can apply for a full business rates discount. To be eligible for the discount, retail, hospitality and leisure businesses must occupy their premises and meet certain criteria. If you think your business may qualify, you can apply here. Non-profit voluntary and community organisations may also be eligible for discretionary relief of up to 100% on business rates; find out more here. If you have any questions about business rates and discounts, you can call us on: 0117 922 3300 or email: business.rates@bristol.gov.uk.
2. A virtual Black Professionals Network event designed to help black and minority professionals navigate the employment market in the Covid crisis takes place tomorrow, Tuesday 28 July (6pm-7.30pm); more here.
3. The next Enterprise Nation virtual meet up for small businesses in Bristol is on Wednesday 29 July (10am-12pm); book here.
4. Through various free-to-access materials, including a toolkit and branding, the citywide marketing campaign, Bristol Together, supports local businesses as they safely reopen. The campaign is a partnership initiative from Bristol City Centre BID, Visit Bristol and Broadmead BID, working with Business West and the One City Economy Board; more here.
5. Recently updated official guidance relating to reduced rates of VAT for certain types of businesses can be accessed here.
6. The next round of the Social Enterprise Support Fund opens on Thursday 13 August and closes on Thursday 20 August. Grants of between £10k and £300k are available; more here.
7. How is your business adapting to the new normal? Business West has recently launched its Covid-19 Business Impact Survey. They want to find out more about your business recovery, business operations and future planning. Take part here.
8. And Bristol Food Union are carrying out a survey of Bristol food businesses to get their input into how the Food Union can best support the city’s food & hospitality sector in the future; take the survey here. And if you are a restaurant, community project or food/drink retailer and would like to be added to the Food Union’s shop listing please contact listings@bristolfoodunion.org or fill out the form here; and if a farmer or local food producer please contact: bristolfoodproducers@gmail.com.
9. Read more about the Creative Youth Network’s plans to transform derelict former magistrates’ courts in the centre of Bristol into a vibrant creative hub here.
10. Business in the Community’ s National Business Response Network is a platform to connect business to urgent local community need across the UK during the Covid-19 crisis. If you’re a business who can help or a community group who needs help please get in touch here or email tracy.rees@bitc.org.uk. And see attached information about NBRN’s mobile device and laptop appeal through which you can donate your pre-loved devices to charities helping disadvantaged families.
11. View a list of regional finalists from the South West for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2020 here.
12. 85,000 online businesses have been launched during lockdown in the UK, according to this recent article, and the South West has seen the most of such activity.
We actively encourage recipients of this weekly email to share all or part of it with their colleagues and associates. If, however, you would like to receive it direct please email the address below, and please email me if you wish to unsubscribe.
And remember you can also follow us on Twitter at @ShopLocalBris
Kind regards,
Declan Murphy
Town & District Centres Liaison Officer
Bristol City Council
T: 0117 922 3546