Businesses working to transform local shopping centres

12/02/2007

Businesses joining together to revitalise local shopping centres is the aim of a new city council initiative.

Retail businesses in Cosham and North End are being encouraged to join forces to improve their local shopping environment and transform the areas into vibrant and welcoming destinations outside the city centre.

The key aim is to help reverse the decline in trade being experienced by some businesses, and make the areas more attractive to shoppers. The council is helping businesses to work together to ensure they can compete with future retail developments in the city over the next few years, with the first step being to create Business Associations.

Led by the businesses themselves, the associations receive highly focused support in the initial stages from the council's Business Services department. Once established, the associations run themselves, with the council providing further support as an active partner agency to ensure their future needs and concerns are met.

The associations aim to be representative of all businesses in the shopping centres, tackling a wide range of issues including:

identifying steps to improve the area as a district centre making the centres attractive to new businesses looking for premises improving the community 'feel' and bringing more shoppers to the area The two associations are now building partnerships with agencies working towards the same objectives. Current successes include partnership working with the police, Portsmouth Business Crime Reduction Partnership, Cosham Rotary Club and North End Neighbourhood Forum.

Some of the key steps in the project are.

Three pilot Farmers Markets planned in Cosham this year on 28 April, 28 July and 29 September. If successful, there is potential for future markets next year

A 'Mystery Shopping' event for Cosham and North End in July and August 2006 - funded by the Learning Skills Council and European Social Fund - provided evidence of the overall shopping experience from an independent viewpoint, both good and bad

Funding for 10 small independent shops (SMEs-small medium enterprises) in each centre to have one to one intensive training courses with retail specialists. These packages are tailored to their individual business needs following an initial consultation to ensure training is specific to their requirements and long-term future

Further one to one training packages have now been secured for SMEs within Portsmouth that allow businesses to create their own support packages with retail specialists Subsidised training courses are also on offer for businesses in areas such as web design and 'ebaying', designed to allow businesses to compete with current marketing trends and diversify their skills base

The council has provided funding for Cosham and North End Business Associations through the Local Area Business Growth Initiative (LABGI). This has enabled them to start looking at making their plans a reality, for example Cosham has considered using some of the money in partnership funded projects to help improve the appearance of the area and encourage additional trade and investment

Future sources of funding for projects are being investigated, with the focus being driven by the Business Associations to decide what they want to be developed

Inclusion for both areas in the Portsmouth Business Crime Reduction Partnership - meetings are being held with the associations and the community policing teams to look at ways of reducing crime and ensuring the areas are safe environments to visit and shop.

Work in both Cosham and North End will continue through the year, with Fratton now part of the project following a request from the Neighbourhood Forum. The next stage in Fratton is to consult with the businesses to see if they would like to set up a Business Association, or if not what type of support they want.

Mike Hancock, Executive member for Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development said: " We need continued support and attention for Cosham, North End and Fratton to strengthen their position as established centres, supporting both the local communities and their economies. Businesses have been appreciative of our support, including listening to their concerns and working with them to find long-term solutions to safeguard their future as secondary shopping centres within the city."

Colin Walker, Project Development Manager, said: "The new associations are looking for more support and representation from businesses in their centres if they're to be fully representative. Joining together makes good business sense and helps drive improvements in these areas. Interested businesses and partnership agencies can contact me for information on how to get involved on 023 9284 1069."