#AltrinchamTogether
Business Task Force
Launched by Altrincham BID
Just a few days ago The Sunday Times chose Altrincham as the best place to live in the UK – “The ultimate turnaround town” with “An unspoken camaraderie”. Now our town is in the midst of the coronavirus emergency and its businesses and community are facing unprecedented challenges. The need for that camaraderie has never been more important. Altrincham and all its business sectors, organisations and communities, in partnership with Trafford Council, must come together - to keep everybody informed, share best practice, give advice and support to our businesses and importantly to plan for the recovery. The current situation will come to an end and we will need to be ready to get up and running again and to
encourage the local community, clients and visitors back to Altrincham.
Altrincham BID has been asked to establish a Business Task Force to facilitate and deliver this - #AltrinchamTogether. The Task Force will encourage businesses and Business Groups in Altrincham to come together to share updates, advice and support with one another, to align strategies, signpost information and help. Given the rapidly evolving situation we need to act with urgency. Through our wide-ranging contacts networks, we have already got in touch with key individuals and relevant public and private sector organisations to help us all. We are asking that any business that has useful information which they feel might help others, to please share on social media and use the hashtag #AltrinchamTogether so that others are able to find and learn from your experiences –
this could be anything from how to apply for grant funding, to innovative ways of keeping team spirits up whilst home working. The key priority now is supporting and sharing relevant information with Altrincham’s businesses. Over the next few days, the Task Force will come together and launch a series of webinars, online discussions and sector specific support. A group of ‘Expert Friends’ have come forward and will be available to offer specific advice in the areas like HR, Legal, Banking and Accountancy.
There will also be representatives from each business sector who will make up a group of ‘High Street Friends’ who have offered their support. So far, they include Sarah Healey (Capstone), David Vanderhook (The Con Club), Kate Proctor (Sew Creative), Alex Hill (Hill & Hill Jewellers) and Cat Rhun (Orangetheory Fitness). Chris Taylor, Gran T’s Coffee House & #AltrinchamTogether ‘High Street Friend’ explained:
“So many of our wonderful guests and friends are going through such difficult times, as well as the businesses. I asked to be High Street Friend because this is not a time for competition, it’s about supporting each other and, when it’s safe to so, bringing Altrincham back stronger than ever and we are stronger together!” The Task Force partners from across Greater Manchester include Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester and Victoria Braddock, Director of International Marketing, Marketing Manchester. Victoria will be leading on regional, national and international campaigns in support of the Greater Manchester Visitor Economy and its recovery.
Ewen Miller, BID Chair & MD Calderpeel Architects said: “As a fellow business owner, I know it’s an incredibly challenging time for us all. We wanted to find a way of bringing the amazing business community of our town together at this time. There is enormous power in the collective”.
The BID will continue to update with Government guidance and all other BID activity via our social media platforms and website. Altrinchamunlimited.co.uk/Twitter: @AltrinchamBID/LinkedIn: Altrincham Unlimited Please tag any useful business information with #AltrinchamTogether
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