A member of the Town Team will provide an update on the Project at the meeting.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed Christine Stebbing, Chair of Morecambe Town Team, to the meeting.
For the benefit of the newly elected Members of the Committee, Ms Stebbing gave a summary of the work done by the Morecambe Town Team that had been set up in 2012 under the Portas initiative.
Ms Stebbing informed the Committee that the Town Team was set up to deliver increased footfall between the Arndale Centre and the Festival Market area along Victoria Street, Morecambe. She explained that Victoria Street was very different from the majority of Portas Towns where the emphasis was on empty shops as Victoria Street had very few empty properties and shops.
The Committee were informed that the projects aims had taken some time to come to fruition but that of the £100,000 budget £98,000 had now been allocated. £2,000 was retained as a contingency and work on the project was due to be completed by spring 2016.
Ms Stebbing informed the Committee of a number of initiatives carried out by the Town Team including street planting and cleaning, markets, celebrity signing events and Christmas lighting. The Team was also involved in a number of Portas funded projects including a £5K Heartstone Project and the Springboard exercise in 2013 which was a three pronged survey into shopping habits. As a result of the finding of that exercise the Team organised a “Be your Best” Customer Services workshop, Digital High Street training sessions, and produced leaflets on things to do in the area.
Members were advised that earlier in the year a website had been launched for local retailers titled More in Morecambe. This allowed local businesses to feature their business and promote special officers. This would also feature a webcam showing views over the Bay.
The Town Team had also commissioned a Corporate Town Branding exercise and the completed branding package was now downloadable from their website.
Members were advised that the Town Team had been progressing with the Victoria Street Art project titled Victoria Press and had commissioned Deco Publique to bring the scheme to fruition. The art work would incorporate local stories/pictures including entertainment, sport, heritage, views and wildlife. The Arndale Centre would also feature an Art Deco design selected by the new owners New River and Hemmingway Design. The artwork was due to be completed in spring 2016.
The Committee was advised that the Town Team had also part funded the City Council’s Wayfinding project which would feature signage on the Victoria Street.
Finally, the Committee was informed that the Town Team had evolved over the last year and now had members from the wider town including the Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive. They were looking towards a BID for Morecambe and it was hoped that New River would be interested in continuing the Art led theme through the Arndale Centre to New Square, Morecambe and around the entrance facing Morecambe library.
Members asked a number of questions relating to the Portas Project including progress of the Project, what Members could do to assist the project, the artwork and public consultations and if there would be any positive impact on employment in the area.
Resolved:
That Christine Stebbing be thanked for her attendance at the meeting.