Issue - meetings

Sarah Loftus, Chief Executive, Lincoln BIG will be in attendance.

Sarah Loftus, representing, Lincoln Business Improvement Group:

a)    provided a brief introduction about herself and her role as Chief Executive

b)    explained the role of Lincoln BIG in the City of Lincoln which included:

-       being funded by local businesses in the city

-       400K had been raised from the Bid Levy

-       5 key areas were being focused on, one being security and begging

-       the implementation of Ask Angela

-       diverting people from giving to the homeless to giving to charity

-       the relaunch of the Shopwatch scheme which now had 359 members

-       drinks detective scheme – 10 venues had signed up to the scheme

-       supporting Street Pastors

-       the running of the bus scheme and car park scheme for BIG levy payers

c)    invited members’ comments and questions.

Question: How did Ask Angela work?

Response: If an individual felt uneasy around someone they would report it to the bar staff by saying “Ask Angela”. The bar staff would then arrange suitable transport home.

Question: Between 6pm and 8pm seemed to be the most unsafe time to be in town alone. Was something being done to help this?

Response: It had been highlighted however it needed to be reported more.

The Chair thanked members of Lincoln Business Improvement Group for all their good work in partnership with other stakeholders. It was great to see businesses getting together and something positive being done.

RESOLVED that the verbal update be noted with thanks.

Yvette Hall, Security Manager, and Marion Cooney, Evening Economy Manager, will provide the Committee with a verbal report.

Yvette Hall and Marion Cooney, representing, Lincoln Business Improvement Group, advised that most of the work they undertook alongside partners had been covered already under previous discussions this evening.

The Chair thanked members of Lincoln Business Improvement Group for all their good work in partnership with other stakeholders. It was great to see businesses getting together and something positive being done.

RESOLVED that the verbal update be noted with thanks.

Richard Baxter, Lincoln Business Improvement Group gave a brief verbal overview of the issues affecting retailers in the city and asked for any questions or comments from the committee.

Question: Was there any news on the vacant BHS building?

Response: Planning permission had been submitted to change the premises from one shop to two.

Question: Have you got a strategy for when retailers move out of a premises?

Response: Lincoln was fortunate that there was not many empty shops on the High Street. There was an issue of high rent costs for retailers and all of the High Street retailers takings were down compared to previous years due to the move to online shopping. There was also an issue regarding the business rates for the retailers in the Sincil Street area, it was felt that 15% discount was not enough.

Comment: The opening of the new transport hub would be positive for retailers.

Response: The 1000 space car park would be open in time for Christmas, the rest had been delayed until January 2018.

Comment: Some shops had an issue with their own security system which needed to be addressed.

Response: Businesses would be able to link in to the new CCTV system which would improve their security.