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Looking ahead to Altrincham gradually coming out of Lockdown
Altrincham BID is now working on plans to support businesses and increase public confidence as the town gradually begins to come out of lockdown, considering social distancing at all times.
BID's key objectives will be:
- Help to support Trafford Council and key stakeholders to create safer streets for the community
- Help to make places more inviting and welcoming
- Support the BID businesses
Projects which will be prioritised include:
- Lighting (inc. Christmas lights and tree lights).
- Planting (Supporting Altrincham in Bloom volunteers. The Interchange railing planters, fountain planters, and lamp post planters are due to be replanted weather permitting in the next couple of weeks).
- Cleaning (jet washing programme and supporting Our Altrincham voluntary litter-picks, when it's safe to do so).
- Social Media sharing and campaigns (What's On Online, to Takeaway and from the Professional Services, and Business Spotlights Business Spotlights etc).
- Supporting members of Altrincham's Business Task Force with queries from fellow businesses.
- Advice, support and lobbying.
Working Safely during
Covid-19 Guidance
The full government guidance for businesses working safely during Covid-19, including guidance for restaurants operating takeaway, shops and offices can be found here
Yesterday the government announced guidance on Safer Public Places, Urban Centres and Green Spaces during Covid-19 can be found here
More information about how Altrincham will be responding to this, and how the BID will be working with Trafford Council and other key stakeholders will follow.
Chris Taylor from Gran T's Coffee House and Altrincham's Business Task Force is happy to talk to other hospitality businesses about how he has adapted his premises to safely providing takeaway coffee, cake and sandwiches by creating clear exit and entry channels to ensure social distancing. Contact: info@gran-t-coffeehouse.co.uk
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Alex Hill from Hill & Hill The Jeweller, and Altrincham Business Task Force Member, is happy to talk to other retail businesses about how he and Jo have been preparing the shop to reopen, with measures in place to ensure the safety of his team and customers. |
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Philippa Wright from McHale and Co Solicitors, and Altrincham Business Task Force Member, is also very happy to talk to other professional service business owners about how they are preparing to reopen with face-to-face appointments with clients. |
Weekly What's On Guide
10k+ reach across BIDs social media platforms
From this week, the BID's What's On Guide has been split into three separate guides.
- What's On ONLINE
- What's On TAKEAWAY
- What's On PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
The BID has been producing a weekly What's On ONLINE, to keep Altrincham's businesses at the forefront of the community's minds during lockdown. The guides have been incredibly well received by the community and showcase the incredible way that Altrincham's businesses have diversified and adapted to the current circumstances.
The guides will be shared across all the BIDs social media platforms with a reach of 10k+.
If your business would like to be included please let us know by emailing: info@altrinchamunlimited.co.uk
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Altrincham Business Showcases
The BID is supporting businesses with regular 'Business Showcases' across all of our social media platforms. If you are a BID business and would like to be featured please let us know. So far we have featured a mixture of professional services, cafes and businesses who have adapted to online sales, but the opportunity is open to everyone!
An example of how effective the showcases can be is Batch Deli who reopened last Friday, with social distancing measures in place, offering takeaway sandwiches. On Facebook alone, the post has had a reach of 10,164 to date!
If you would like us to feature your business, please let us know by emailing info@altrinchamunlimited.co.uk
Altrincham In Bloom
Thank you again to the volunteers from Altrincham in Bloom have continued to work, adhering to social distancing advice, during lockdown to ensure that the town looks it's best when it is safe for us all to return.
The railing planters at Altrincham Interchange, sponsored by the businesses of Altrincham through the BID, along with many other projects which the BID supports throughout the town.
Update to Job Retention Scheme (Furlough)
Update from Jill Bottomley, HR Dept and Altrincham Business Task Force member: The scheme overall has been extended until the end of October 2020. The scheme and furloughing will be unchanged until the end of July (most recently it was the end of June). From August to the end of October for all sectors and regions, there will be more flexibility with the introduction of ‘part furlough’ to support employees back to work part time. Employers will be expected to share the cost from August (details not yet provided) For further information on the scheme, click here |
Update Discretionary Grant Fund
Update from Cllr. James Wright, Trafford Council and Altrincham Business Task Force Member: On the 1st May, the government announced that discretionary funding would be made available to Local Authorities to provide grants to local businesses which did not meet the eligibility criteria for the Small Business Rates grants or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants. |
Altrincham BID Annual Report 2019-2020
It seems a strange to be sharing the 2019/20 Annual Report during these challenging and uncertain times. We hope that you are able to look back with pride at the spectacular success we achieved together over the last year.
You can read the annual report here: 2019/2020 Annual Report
Government Resilience Fund for BIDs
Altrincham BID hopes to receive £15,000 from the Government Resilience Fund for BIDs.
The Government announced £6.1 million support for BIDs, to help cover core costs over a 3 month period, and in recognition of the important role that BIDs play in supporting local businesses to work together to shape and improve their high streets and towns. The fund will be split on a pro-rata basis between the circa 260 BIDs in England.
BID Levy Invoicing
As you may be aware, the BID Board took the decision to delay sending the April invoices to BID businesses for their annual levy, until there was more clarity on when some businesses might be able to begin trading again.
However, legislation does require us to issue the invoices for your annual levy contributions, and we believe that the BID will be fundamental in the recovery planning for the town. BID activity will not be possible without income from the BID levy invoices and the BID Board are reviewing when the invoices should be sent.
If any business feels that they would be able to pay their BID levy now, without any further delay, it would be extremely helpful if they could get in contact by emailing: info@altrinchamunlimited.co.uk
All BID activity and projects will be carried out in accordance to Government guidance in relation to Coronavirus and may be subject to change.
Stay Connected
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Suite E, Kings Court Offices, Railway Street, WA14 2RD
t. 0161 928 9100
e. info@altrinchamunlimited.co.uk
