September 2015 Update

September 2015 Update

Welcome to the September 2015 update.

Your Ideas are Wanted! – Otley BID Manager Pete Mudge is out and about meeting business owners, updating them on the BID’s activities and getting individual’s views on what could be done to improve trading and the appeal of the town.

Dozens of ideas are coming forward and range from first aid courses for businesses to canopies on the market square, from a home delivery service for all businesses to better facilities for coach drivers. However, we need these ideas to keep coming! Every business owner will have thoughts on what could be done to make the place better – from apps to benches, from publicity to parking. The stronger we make the Otley appeal, the wealthier the business will be.

You can contact Peter by email: peter.mudge@otleybid.co.uk, by phone: 07481 891686, or if you would prefer to visit him, his is sited above the Welfare Hall opposite the Old Cock on Crossgate.

Please keep your ideas pouring in!

 

Pop Up Stalls Available Now – At no charge there are stalls available for Otley businesses to sell sell sell.

The BID is developing ideas with Leeds City Council Markets Management as to how the market can better promote Otley and its businesses. As part of this development, the BID has decided to fund a small number of market stalls. Pete Mudge is now seeking businesses in each location willing to help this promotion.

“Whilst before my time, in Medieval England, the market was where goods were sold and the region had workshops producing the items to be sold there. The opportunity remains for businesses, especially those sited away from the Market Square, to benefit themselves and attract new customers to their shop or business. The BID is funding this as it helps promote the rich variety of goods and services we have to offer.”

Peter would like to hear from people willing to discuss the idea of promoting businesses within:

  1. Wharfebank Business Centre
  2. Market Place, Market Street and Kirkgate
  3. Manor Square, Bay Horse Court and Bridge Street
  4. Boroughgate and Westgate
  5. Bondgate and Newmarket is already progressing.

Stalls are available on Friday’s and Saturday’s. If you are interested please contact peter.mudge@otleybid.co.uk.

 

Footfall Analysis Update – To get an idea of the number of people coming to Otley town centre, the Chamber and the BID have been trialing innovative and affordable footfall counters outside two areas of the town (1) Bondgate Bakery on Bondgate, and (2) Ethical Jeweller on Market Street.

These counters give data on how many people have passed these two shops. The monitors note the number of people walking past and at what times. From this indications are given of which streets have steady footfall, which streets are the busiest on which days and of course overall footfall rate.

Below is a summary of the initial trial which took place from 17th August to 14th September 2015. Following a presentation of these findings at the last Chamber meeting, the BID board will be discussing the expansion of the trial. A further update will be given once the second trial has been completed.

  • Average visitor count per week 13,009
  • Monday – Thursday sees consistent footfall numbers of 1,800
  • Friday and Saturday are the busiest days where footfall increases to 2,000
  • Sunday is the quietest day where footfall is around 1,200, except on Farmers Market Sunday when it peaks at 1,700 which is an increase of 42%.
  • The streets are seeing 200 people per hour by 10am, increasing to peak at 300 per hour between 11am – 2pm before dropping back to 200 per hour at 4pm.
  • School children have an impact which sees peak rebound at 3pm. Generally a more even spread of people on the streets throughout the day during term time. But total visitors down 8%.
  • Dwell time is consistent at around 29 minutes but take with a pinch of salt
  • The weather has been good during the trial period with only one day of persistent rain.

 

New – Otley Marketing Committee – As part of the BID’s 5 year Business Plan there was a commitment to develop the marketing of our wonderful town. A key step for this happened in early September with the first meeting of the Marketing Committee. The team includes two marketing specialists and representatives from Otley Town Council, Otley Chamber of Trade, Otley Town Partnership and Otley BID.

The group’s objective is to develop a consistent approach to the marketing of Otley which results in an increase in footfall to our shops, businesses, events and surrounding attractions and countryside. Exciting plans ahead, but they are still in their very early stages so watch this space for more info…

 

The Business Directory is Growing – Christmas is coming and the directory’s getting fat, well to be more precise it is plumping up!

Of the 549 BID members, over 300 have had their email addresses added into the directory. This activates a password businesses must use to put information onto their directory page. When the directory is advertised to the public, people from all around the area and far beyond will find Otley businesses through this site. But if businesses have not filled in their pages they will only be promoting a blank space while others get the bucks. It’s planned for the site to go live to the public within the next few weeks so please spend 15 minutes filling in your page and please also speak to fellow businesses and encourage them to do the same.

Bigger is better when it comes to online! If visitors to the site are impressed they will continue to use it and tell friends and family….the more people who visit the site, the more prominent it will become. If everyone plays a part now the future benefits to Otley will be fantastic.

 

A New Mural for Bay Horse Court – Otley BID is seeking permission for a mural to be painted on 27 Manor Square (the side of For the Home) at the entrance to Bay Horse Court. This will provide an attractive addition to the town and raise awareness of the 18th Century site which formerly included a corn mill. The proposed mural will make a positive contribution to the entranceway and the overall appearance of the town centre.

James Davis of Studio 7 has prepared the artwork for the mural, and David Bamford Architects prepared the application for LCC approval. Mr Yaseen, who has given permission for the mural, owns the property.

Bay Horse Court Mural
Bay Horse Court Mural

 

Neighbourhood Plan – Otley Town Council is currently working towards producing the Neighbourhood Plan for future development in the town. The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group is seeking views on employment opportunities and employment land in Otley.

Otley BID has arranged for a flyer to be sent to all BID levy payers to ensure they are encouraged to have a say. However, if you are reading this article we urge you fill in the online forms as soon as possible as responses are being collated in early October.

The results of the survey will play an important role in developing Otley’s Neighbourhood Plan. It will only take 5 minutes to complete and all responses are strictly confidential. The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Otley.

 

New Defibrillators in Situ – As previously reported, 2 new life-saving defibrillators have been purchased by the BID and the Chamber of Trade. These have now been located:

  1. Outside the Fire Station
  2. Outside Cross Green Community Centre.

It is planned that staff will be trained on how to use them in an attempt to restart the heart should someone have a heart attack. However, these are public defibrillators that can be used by people with little or no training in the case of an emergency.

A further 4-5 defibrillators have been agreed to be purchased by the Rotary and Otley Lions with a view to them being in situ by Christmas.

 

Lili Waste Visiting Businesses – During October the team at Lili Waste will be out visiting businesses who have not already contacted them regarding the consolidation of their waste collections.

As an added incentive, Lili Waste are now charging companies according to the weight of refuse they are asked to take away in the form of a ‘pay as you weigh’ scheme. This new proposition is intended to send less rubbish to landfill, ensuring that the best waste and recycling options are available to our businesses.

For more information or a free no obligation quote please call 01482 966 001 and let them know that you are a member of the Otley BID.

 

River Wharfe Developments – Otley BID will be attending a meeting with the Environment Agency to discuss the potential of developing the River Wharfe as a tourist attraction. The BID’s aim will be to ensure the river can return to being a varied and attractive feature for Otley.

New Business Registration

Register today and a member of the BID team will be in touch to book in an onsite visit.