Welcome
Since Hitchin businesses voted to make Hitchin town centre a BID - Business Improvement District - our team has worked hard for over three years doing just that! We're proud of our achievements to date and we've also formed some very effective partnerships in the town that support the BID's aims.
Now, part way through the BID's fourth year, we've agreed a new list of priorities with our members and we've started on the tasks involved. We're delighted to report that we're already seeing progress.
BIDDING TO DO MORE
Recycling – our cardboard and paper recycling service has been a huge success and has enabled many BID members to make considerable savings. So, we are about to start on phase two and trial food composting, to see if it's practical to make it generally available.
Car Parking – with new parking machines installed, the Council will be able to give us more detailed information on car park usage. Prior to the BID AGM on June 13th, we will have started talks with the Council, looking at ways to subsidise parking charges at off peak times. We'll report on progress at the AGM.
Portas Review – the first government responses to the Review are now out and all the right noises are being made but there's a lack of specific proposals. We will be attending a ‘Portas Workshop’ in May to offer our experiences as a 'best practice' town and to seek further direction. We're also meeting with the Chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership to determine how Hertfordshire will respond.
Tourism – our aim is to gain more tourism / day tripper business and we're working on how that can best be achieved. One significant initiative is promoting the restoration of St Mary’s status as a Minster. Coach tour operators are a definite target!
Hitchin Festival – we're determined to see this grow year on year and we're encouraging more venues to join in. This year, the Festival events last for a whole month – 29th June to 29th July!
Business Survey / Shoppers Survey – we're about to start on an extensive survey of both businesses and visitors ready to provide information at the BID AGM on June 13th. Please take some time to give us your views when the team come around w/c 14/5.
Loyalty Cards – we're always looking for ways to extend shopper loyalty to the town and its businesses and we've been looking at some exciting possibilities. As part of the survey, we'll be asking for your opinions on town-wide loyalty cards.
The Queen's Jubilee – we've arranged some surprises for the Monday and Tuesday of the extended Bank Holiday period. They include entertainment on the Market Place from 12 noon until 5.30pm on Monday 4th and a traditional British beach scene along the river for the Jubilee Market on Tuesday 5th. Bring your knotted hankies and bikinis!