To receive a general update from Ben Davies on Bermondsey Blue, Business Improvement District.
Minutes:
The commission received an update from Ben Davies on the work of the Bermondsey Blue Business Improvement District and the challenges facing businesses in the area.
Business Improvement District update
The commission heard about work undertaken during the summer in partnership with the council, including a festival intended to provide activities for children and support families during the school holidays. The Business Improvement District had contributed £10,000 and the council approximately £9,500. It was intended that the festival would be repeated the following year.
An affordable co-working space was being developed in a railway arch.
The proposed model would enable early-stage businesses to occupy affordable space for approximately two to three years before moving on as they developed. The intention was to create opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly those working in sectors where initial costs could be prohibitive.
The commission heard that spending in the area had fallen by approximately 8% to 10%, while footfall had not reduced to the same extent. It was explained that the spending information was derived from indexed card-payment data rather than the individual takings of businesses. Increased business rates were identified as a particular pressure on small businesses.
Retail crime
The commission heard that retail crime was a significant concern, but that many businesses had stopped reporting incidents because they found the process burdensome or believed that reporting would not result in effective action.
The recorded figures were not considered to reflect the actual prevalence of retail theft. The Business Improvement District had therefore developed a simpler reporting mechanism and hoped to gather more accurate evidence to present to the police and the borough commander.
The Business Improvement District had also offered the proposed co-working space to the local police team when officers required a base in the Bermondsey area.
Following discussions with the safer neighbourhood team, work was taking place to convert the police reporting form into a shorter digital process using staged questions, check boxes and drop-down options. The intention was to make reporting less burdensome for local businesses.
Schools and employment pathways
The Business Improvement District was working with local schools and funding opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in outdoor activities.
The commission heard that Big Local Works had been commissioned to arrange visits by pupils to businesses in the area. The visits would provide young people with an understanding of different workplaces and organisations. It was recognised that businesses would require support to work effectively with schools and that schools were well placed to advise on the needs and suitability of individual pupils.
Local schools had also been invited to participate in the Business Improvement District board. Greater involvement by schools could help children and young people influence local events and contribute to shaping the area.
Examples were given of involving pupils and community groups in the design and delivery of activities, including lantern-making and puppet events. This approach encouraged children, families and other residents to participate in the resulting public events.
Members suggested that the council could help broker relationships between schools and businesses. Possible approaches included identifying talent champions within schools and supporting direct contact between teachers, headteachers and local employers. The possibility of businesses making a contribution to participating schools when a placement resulted in sustained employment was also discussed.
High street and local development
The commission discussed the difference between the areas to the north and south of the railway line. New routes through railway arches and nearby developments had the potential to increase movement towards the Blue and bring additional spending into the area.
The redevelopment of part of the former Biscuit Factory had reduced the number of people working and spending locally during the construction period. It was hoped that improved routes and future development would help address this.
Brotherhood Games was cited as a positive example of support for a local entrepreneur. An initial rent-free period had reportedly helped the business become established and it now employed nearly 25 people.
The commission heard that the number of betting shops had declined, although concerns remained about their concentration in a relatively deprived neighbourhood.
Members also discussed fast-food outlets near schools and whether they should be considered alongside betting shops when assessing the composition of the high street. The need to encourage healthier choices was recognised, although this had to be balanced against the difficult trading environment faced by the high street.
Vacant premises and commercial lettings
Concerns were raised about commercial premises which did not open to the public or kept solid shutters closed. It was suggested that blank shutters reduced natural surveillance and adversely affected the appearance and atmosphere of the high street. The Business Improvement District representative explained that similar concerns had been raised with the council over several years.
Members discussed the role of the council’s property portfolio in supporting the local economy, increasing footfall and attracting businesses which could benefit the wider area.
The commission heard that businesses and residents did not have sufficient visibility of the commercial lettings process. Prospective occupiers could experience difficulty obtaining information about vacant premises and, on occasion, did not receive a response after expressing an interest.
Greater transparency was requested concerning:
The commission heard that established local business owners could provide valuable insight into the types of businesses likely to succeed in the area. Some businesses might also require support with shopfronts and marketing.
Business Improvement District capacity and partnership working
The Business Improvement District representative explained that the organisation’s annual budget was approximately £100,000 to £120,000, excluding external funding. This was substantially smaller than the budgets of some other Business Improvement Districts, limiting the number of projects that could be delivered. The organisation therefore needed to focus on fewer priorities and deliver them effectively.
The commission heard that the Bermondsey Blue Business Improvement District worked closely with established Business Improvement Districts elsewhere in Southwark. New or emerging districts could benefit from:
The Business Improvement District considered that it had been consulted effectively on the Bermondsey town centre plan. Further work was, however, required to engage the wider business community, including businesses based in the Biscuit Factory.
Summary
The Chair identified the principal matters arising from the evidence as: