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Issue 20 | November 2014The Newsletter of Durham Business Improvement District Company

Welcome...Hello and welcome to November’s edition of our new look newsletter, The BID Picture!

November is already upon us and we can’t believe it’s almost Christmas!

This month’s newsletter focusses on Christmas InDurham, which is building up to be a fantastic series of events throughout the city.

We also feature another board member, Chris Hayes from Woven and give you a �nal update on the fantastic Gold Gilt medal that Durham In Bloom won last month.

We also have an update on the BID Breakfast Meetings and the fantastic results from our InDurham Loyalty Card.

Best, Durham BID team

InDurham Loyalty Card

Did you know?• Durham Cathedral holds an edition of the Magna Carta dated 1216, which will go on display next year at Durham University’s Palace Green Library.• Durham Castle and Cathedral is a World Heritage Site, alongside places like The Tower of London, The Statue of Liberty and The Taj Mahal.

The InDurham Loyalty Card has been a huge success, and it’s showing no sign of slowing down!

Since its launch on the 1st October, over 500 people have signed up for a card, which works out at 1 of every 6 sta� members in BID levy paying businesses. That’s sixteen applications per day over the month of October!

With Christmas fast approaching it is the perfect time to apply for your card, especially now that over 80 businesses have submitted o�ers, deals and incentives; there are many great ideas for Christmas presents and Christmas parties.

This month, the BID’s attention is turning to the 900 sta� members who work in the passport o�ce, so we’ll working hard to sign them up!

Christmas InDurham 2014

On Sunday November 16th Durham City’s Christmas lights will be switched on in style! The Christmas Light Switch On marks the beginning of a series of Christmas Events that are aimed to increase footfall to the City Centre. Taking place in Durham City’s Market Place, join actor and comedian Maxie Peters for some festive fun as the honour of the ‘big switch’ is performed by Durham’s Mayor Cllr John Robinson - with a little help from the cast of the Gala Theatre’s pantomime Aladdin. And with traditional entertainment and festive music from the Trimdon Concert Brass Band, it’s certain to get you in the seasonal spirit. Fun starts 4.30pm Switch on 5.30pmEvent ends 5.45pm Location Durham City Market Place Access:Some road closures will be essential to ensure a safe environment for event-goers, taking place between 3pm and 7pm on Sunday, November 16th and a�ecting Market Place, Silver Street, Framwellgate Bridge, Saddler Street, Owengate, North Bailey, South Bailey and Elvet Bridge.

Prebends Bridge will be open between 2pm and 7pm to maintain access to the area above Owengate for residents and people attending Durham Cathedral services only.

Christmas Lights Switch-On

Sunday 16th

November

The BID o�ce is situated at Suite 2, 4 Saddler Street, Durham City, DH1 3NP & you can contact us using these details:

Contact Us

T: 0191 384 1212 @DurhamBID

E: info@durhambid.co.ukW: durhambid.co.uk Durham BIDdurhambusinessimprovementdistrict

www.linkedin.com/DurhamBID

Gold Gilt For Durham In Bloom

Chris Hayes, Board Member, Durham BIDChris Hayes is owner and founder of Woven Menswear in The Gates and has two children. Though originally from Teesside, Chris is now proud to call Durham his home. Chris also founded Van Mildert - an award-winning retailer - in 1995 with two of his friends.

Chris brings his wealth of experience in independent retailing to the board, often helping to shape events so that they maximise e�ectiveness for small businesses within the BID area, he is also keen to see that projects are extended to North Road and The Gates Shopping Centre, believing that businesses that form a community are stronger in tough economic times. He believes that the Durham BID can o�er one voice to the City Centre, whilst providing opportunities for all sectors to take part.

Chris believes that it is this personal approach that sets Durham apart from places like the Arnison Centre, believing that customer service is one of Durham’s strongest assets.

November’s BID Board Member

BID Breakfast MeetingAt the beginning of every month, before this newsletter is distributed, the Durham BID hostand fund a Breakfast Meeting at a di�erent locations.

These meetings are designed for networking, for making contactsand to ensure that the city speakswith one voice. The meetings are also the place to be for the most up-to-date information on the goings-on throughout the city. Where possible we bring in guest speakers and experts in areas we feel would bene�t our businesses, and would welcome any suggestions for topics or areas of concern.

We recently launched our latest series of presentations, Q&As and discussions: Hidden Treasures, which focusses on the stories behind BID businesses. At our latest meeting, we had Hazel from Gateway World Shop in St Nic’s Church talking about the fascinating history of the shop as well as Durham’s Fairtrade City status. If you, or any member of sta�, would be interested in a chance to promote your business, give us a call or send us an email so we can discuss your options.

If you would be willing to host a breakfast meeting, then please get in contact. We usually organise a venue up to three months in advance, but we’d love to make contact now to plan 2015’s venues.

If you’ve never been to a BID breakfast meeting, then get in touch and Nanette or Aaron can come in to talk to you more about them. They’re a great way of ensuring that the city speaks with one united voice.

At the Britain In Bloom ceremony in November, Durham City was awarded a gold medal from the Royal Horticultural Society.

A gold medal signi�es that the achieved the very highest standards in horticulture, environmental performance and community involvement.

At the ceremony, the judges said that ‘Durham can be proud of its approach with its involvement of partners in the Bloom initiative, generating local involvement, ownership and pride’. It has been commented that Durham has never looked better!

Oliver Sherratt, Head of Direct Services at Durham County Council, has asked to pass on his appreciation to everyone involved who have contributed to a very successful 2014, both regionally as well as nationally.

Many of the Spring planters and most of the Summer planters were funded and organised by the Welcome And Access Group of the Durham BID and Durham County Council and plans are already being �nalised to build on these fantastic results and move forward into 2015, including more ways for businesses to get involved as well as ways to ensure that the impact is spread to areas away from the peninsula.