Street Entertainment
We are delighted to announce that the internationally acclaimed Daft as a Brush street entertainer Maynard Flip Flap visited Otley on Saturday 11th June, performing on Newmarket.
The antics included climbing through a wire coat hanger, catching an egg on his head, juggling with shoes and plenty of interaction with the audience and local shops. After the event Maynard, praised the audience saying Otley was a great place for public performances.
We are now looking for other street artists, whether they be singers, musicians, magicians, or just plain wacky, we would love to hear from them.
We believe that regular quality street entertainment will attract people to our town centre. Otley BID hopes that by having entertainment on roads leading to the Market Place, shoppers will be encouraged to move around the town centre.
Any entertainer is eligible to apply for a small contribution from the BID – in addition to money they make by placing a hat – provided they meet the conditions below. The BID will not enter into negotiations.
Do you know an entertainer who would like the chance to perform in our busy market town? If so, please share this message and help put us in touch!
CONDITIONS
- An email request to book a particular day must be sent to peter.mudge@otleybid.co.uk and include contact details such as telephone number and email address.
- When the application is made, an online example of a previous recording must be accessible to the BID, where appropriate. (Please advise in your email.)
- To be eligible the entertainer must do a half hour slot at pre-agreed locations. Examples include:
- To the side ofPatsy’s Wicka Basket on Newmarket – LS21 3AE
- The garden area at the junction of Nelson St and Crossgate diagonally opposite theOtley BID office – LS21 3AA
- Bay Horse Courtyard behind the pub (Leave remit atYour First Smile – LS21 1SB)
- We are developing a few other locations and in time hope to have further ‘busk stops’ marked around the town centre.
- At the end of the performance the entertainer should leave the completed remit note at one of the venues noted in italics above. Reimbursement will be processed and made by cheque.
- In the event of the Police or LCC asking the entertainer to move on they must of course obey.
- In the event of a resident or shopkeeper asking them to move on they should obey.
- To encourage variety, the subsidy will only be available to the same solo/group once every two months.
- Initially the BID will only subsidise one individual/group a week, on a first come basis.
- Selling from the pitch is not allowed unless permission is given in advance (contact peter.mudge@otleybid.co.uk)
- If there is any impropriety a full refund will be sought. (Hopefully never necessary.)
WANTED! Town Team Volunteers
We had a great turnout to our Information Evening at M’deena on Tuesday 21st June where we enjoyed their fabulous cuisine and met business owners, residents and event organisers, all willing to give some time to support the town.
In conjunction with the Otley Chamber of Trade, we are still looking to expand our group of Town Team Volunteers to help support the vibrant events and businesses. We need help with distributing the Economic Bulletin and interacting with businesses, feeding back ideas and information that can be beneficial to the trading of the town. Help is also needed at the many events that are mainly volunteer led such as the Otley Show, Carnival, Folk Festival, Cycle Race and the list goes on.
If you know someone who is supportive of the town, would like to meet new people, have a say in what happens at events, wants to learn new skills and has an hour to spare each month, then please ask them to get in touch by email to steph.lee@otleybid.co.uk.
Refurbishment of Street Furniture
We are delighted to announce that Leeds City Council have agreed to progress with Phase 2 of the refurbishment of Otley’s street furniture. This will commence shortly with the Community Payback Scheme painting lampposts, railings etc on Westgate and within all Council owned car parks within the town centre.
Successful BID Initiatives in Chipping Norton
The Oxfordshire town of Chipping Norton came runner up in the UK Great British High Street 2015 and scored 10/10 for innovation. It is a small market town with no train station and is on the edge of a university city (Oxford). There are many crossovers with what is happening in Otley, so the BID’s Co-ordinator Pete Mudge has accepted an invitation to receive a guided tour of Chipping Norton and see what lessons may be appropriate to Otley’s way forward.
The Roundheads Invade Otley
The weekend of 2nd & 3rd July will see Otley invaded by about 200 English Civil War enthusiasts to re-enact the famous episode in Otley’s history. In 1644, Cromwell and his officers were in the Wharfe Valley prior to the decisive battle of Marston Moor. The day before the battle his troops descended on Otley for food and drink, and as history has it, drank the Black Bull dry.
We are pleased to support this fantastic initiative, organized by Otley Pub Club, with a donation of £2000.
Coach Visits On The Increase
Coach visits are on the increase bringing visitors to the town, a shared initiative between Otley BID, Otley Chamber of Trade, Otley Town Partnership and Otley Town Council. Window stickers are being produced stating “Coach driver vouchers welcome here!”. The redemption of these vouchers in the cafes around town are a great way of helping us understand which and how many coaches are visiting the town each month.
Motor World
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard at Weegemans for allowing us access to their newly owned property next door, previously Motor World, enabling us to showcase local artwork whilst the premises are being renovated. Richard has also re-painted Rummage which has really smartened up the shop frontage. Your enthusiasm for improving the town is both infectious and greatly appreciated Richard, so thank you!