Welcome to the December 2015 update.
Otley Business Directory – We are delighted to announce that the Otley Business Directory will begin to be advertised via Stray FM throughout January and February. Our exclusive Otley Business Directory Marketing Packs will also be distributed to businesses in the New Year to help with it’s promotion to our Otley residents, as well as visitors to the town.
What will the Marketing Pack consist of?
The Marketing Pack will include the following:
- Small cards & card holders
- A5 flyers
- A4 posters
- Window stickers
- Tent cards
#BuyInOtley – We also ask that you begin to use the #BuyInOtley hashtag in your Facebook and Twitter marketing. Whenever you are promoting your business on social media, use #BuyInOtley which is unique to this campaign and our town. By every business beginning to use this new hashtag, both residents and visitors will begin to recognize it and will use it as a search tool to find out what’s going on in Otley.
Let’s get Otley trending!
How do I get involved?
If you are a BID levy payer, don’t miss out on advertising your business for FREE within Otley’s largest Business Directory.
Check that your entry in the Directory is correct by visiting www.visitotley.co.uk/business-in-otley/. Alternatively, if your advert hasn’t yet been updated please follow the instructions below:
What do I need to do to create my FREE advert? If you have created your login then please remember to complete all the sections required including a summary of your services, a logo or a photo of your business and the relevant tags to ensure that people can find you easily – see example below.
If you have yet to create your own personal login then please contact peter.mudge@otleybid.co.uk
Otley Marketing Committee – You will have noticed during December the campaign surrounding the Free Parking, Christmas Events and Christmas Shopping. This was created and marketed by our newly formed Otley Marketing Committee
As well as full information being available on www.visitotley.co.uk, the campaign included banners, posters and flyers around the town, regular mentions on Stray FM on air, and on their Facebook and Twitter, a half page advert and editorial across two weeks in the Wharfedale Observer and Ilkley Gazette, and adverts on their respective websites.
We have figures so far from the Otley Victorian Fayre who reported an increased attendance of 19,000 visitors to the town in just one day! Previous years estimated between 10,000 to 15,000 visitors, so this year is a huge increase of approximately 4,000 more visitors!
We will report figures for the other events and the Saturday shopping days once we have them, but early indications are very positive.
Christmas Trees – We were delighted to be funding over 200 Christmas trees within the town this year.This project could not have happened without the help of the Light Up Otley Committee. We would like to thank Karen Twist, Manson Electrical, Stephen Smiths and other members of the team who gave their time during this busy festive period.
Property – We are currently helping a local business owner to regenerate a Grade I listed property in a primary location within the town. This work will hopefully prove fruitful and will have a positive impact on this busy area of the town.
Town Security – During this busy festive time for retail, as with most towns we often see a spate of shoplifting.
To help increase security for businesses and vulnerable staff, a form of radio system between the shops has been recommended. The aim being so that shop owners/employees can alert other shops with descriptions and ask for any help if needed.
Hannah at Browse Time has kindly volunteered to head up this project. If you feel that this kind of scheme would be worthwhile or you have any other ideas please call in to see Hannah at Browse Time on Bridge Street.
Market Square – We have also been looking at different options on how we can use the Market Square. One idea we are progressing with is to have full cover over the square. This would enable us to still hold market days and events, whatever the weather throws at us, especially during the Winter months.
The Ambience of Otley – Whilst visiting businesses around the town centre, concerns have been raised about how shoppers walk around the town centre. Rather than cluttering the place with more signs the BID wishes to see artwork, architecture, music and scents drawing people along streets. If you would be interested in helping with developing this project, please contact peter.mudge@otleybid.co.uk.
As part of this project, we have already been in talks with Prince Henry’s Grammar School regarding Tour de Yorkshire flags for next Summer and murals on empty shop fronts. As soon as we have more information on these projects we will update you.