Love Local Business: Back Worcester traders this Christmas
Sam McCarthy, projects and marketing manager for the BID, said: "We see real value to this campaign as it is critical that we support our local economy by keeping the spend local this Christmas.
"Worcester is made up of over 60 per cent independent businesses who are the heart and soul of our city. Worcester retailers have made it their priority to adapt and embrace the changes to make visitor safety and the ability to shop independent accessible from the comfort of your homes as well as enjoying a safe trip to the city.
"All we ask is that you support our local businesses and respect their changes when you visit them – please wear your face mask and help us to keep Worcester safe."
Read full article.. https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18798967.love-local-business-back-worcester-traders-christmas/
Schools and community groups invited to join elephant parade
SCHOOLS and community groups are being invited to be part of Worcester’s second major public art trail in summer 2021, which will see colourful elephants parade through the city’s streets and open spaces.
Worcester’s Big Parade will bring around 60 decorated elephant sculptures to the city for eight weeks next summer, including approximately 30 calves which will have been created by local children, teachers and community group members.
Did you spot the first elephant sculpture in Worcester?
THE FIRST decorated elephant sculpture, named Sundar, had a whistle-stop tour around Worcester yesterday.
Sundar, visited some of the best known spots in the city including Friar Street, Cathedral Square, Foregate Street and even popped in to see the mayor at the Guildhall.
The tour is a pre courser to what is to come next year. Elephant sculptures will line the streets and open spaces for eight weeks in 2021, creating Worcester’s Big Parade – a Wild in Art event brought to the city by St Richard’s.
Read more... https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18758465.spot-first-elephant-sculpture-worcester/
Worcester BID: 'We're all trying to take care of each other'
Worcester BID says our bars and restaurants are doing all they can to keep visitors safe.
"The surge in independent bars, restaurants and cafes in Worcester city is what makes us stand out against the rest.
From local deli’s sourcing fresh local produce to fine dining and quirky cocktail bars. Worcester is the perfect destination to take a break from our busy lives and rest, relax and refuel.
Read more... https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18747466.worcester-bid-were-trying-take-care-other/
Hopmarket artists holding outdoor exhibition to spread cheer in Worcester
A COURTYARD shopping centre in Worcester has welcomed a number of artists as part of a city-wide art project.
The Hopmarket is one of the chosen venues for an outdoor gallery of art, organised by Worcester City Council, Worcester BID and Severn Arts.
The initiative – which was launched earlier this month with a theme of Hope and Joy – aims to create engaging and bespoke designs in retail units throughout the city.
Read more... https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18810084.hopmarket-artists-holding-outdoor-exhibition-spread-cheer-worcester/
Love Local Business: Enjoy Halloween half term fun in Worcester
This half term Worcester has got you covered for fun activities, from Where’s Wally to spooks, scares and ghost stories.
One of Worcester’s oldest buildings is the place to go for Halloween activities. The Commandery, Worcester has over 800 years of history, making it one of the best places to go for spooky activities this October. From Tuesday 27 October through to Friday 30 there will be safe spooktacular events for all the family to enjoy during the half term break.
Children of all ages can enjoy the Ghoulish Ghost Trail and Creepy Craft Bags.
Read more... https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/18813466.love-local-business-enjoy-halloween-half-term-fun-worcester/
The Worc Social: A weekend spent in Worcester
Latest news, events, business offers and city updates:
https://mailchi.mp/f5b071ae4d71/visitworc-28-3549698?e=3b004cbd91
DON'T MISS THIS LIMITED OPPORTUNITY!
DON’T MISS THIS LIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR FREE CITY & GUILDS ACCREDITED CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING!
We’re delighted to be able to offer limited places on a FREE Level 3 Certificate in Customer Service City & Guilds accredited training course* to our BID businesses!
If you own or are employed with a BID business and would like to take advantage of this opportunity, you must be available to attend four full days of training spread across the 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd October (between 9am to 4.30pm).
This training will cover:
Day One
Principles of Customer Expectations
Impacts on Customer Expectations/Satisfaction
Day Two
Customer Service Problems/Complaints
Supporting Legislation
Day Three
Practising Effective Customer Service
Product Promotion and Services
Day Four
Effective Teamwork
Monitoring of Performance
* In order to benefit from this training, your business must meet the eligibility criteria. Please contact Shelly on 01905 731612 or at shelly.simpson@worcesterbid.com for further details and to book your free place!
Get the most out of your Christmas audience with free Social Media Training!
More Free Social Media Training Dates Released!
We are delighted to be offering more free Social Media Training in time for Christmas!
The focus of the training will be ‘Getting the most out of your Christmas audience’ and will include some exciting hints and tips on things such as gifting ideas and producing digital Advent Calendars!
Course dates:
Wednesday 2nd October 2019
Wednesday 9th October 2019
Wednesday 23rd October 2019
Course times:
10.00am or 2.00pm
Contact Shelly on 01905 731612 or at shelly.simpson@worcesterbid.com to book your free place!
'The Times' Christmas Advertising!
'The Times' Christmas Advertising'
This year, we have 4 pages booked in The Times 'EAT' magazine for Christmas!
The edition will be going out on 16th November and will feature our fabulous Worcester independent businesses, explaining why shopping in Worcester is so unique compared to any other city.
We will be putting together a spread creating a 'Worcester Christmas Hamper' made up from our wonderful Worcester independents, ensuring all products are exclusively available in Worcester.
We will then be launching a competition to win the 'Worcester Christmas Hamper', with the winner being announced on Small Business Saturday on 7th December.
All we need from you is a product image and a price; the Worcester BID team will then put the hamper together
Please send images to sam.mccarthy@worcesterbid.com
Christmas Independent Late Night Shopping Event
Christmas Independent Late Night Shopping Event
The Guildhall : Thursday 5th December, 4pm to 9pm
Late night shopping can sometimes be a struggle in Worcester. This year, Worcester BID is enhancing the customer experience of late night shopping by bringing Worcester’s well-loved independents to the High Street for an evening of Christmas shopping, live music and festive drinks.
Tickets to the shopping event will be £3 and proceeds will go to our Worcester Cares charity.
Guests will be greeted with a festive drink and mince pie and will have the opportunity to shop at many favourite Worcester Independents under one roof on the High Street.
This is a free opportunity for our BID businesses; we just need a yes from you and we will reserve your stall pitch!
The event will form part of our 'Small Business Saturday' campaign with supported media through The Worc Social, The Saturday Times, Birmingham Metro, Live 24 7, Newquest and Gloucester Reach.
We want to give our Independents the best chance to trade this Christmas and make the most of the night time economy in a prominent location.
To register for a free stall, please email sam.mccarthy@worcesterbid.com
CityNet event welcomes DISC training and more!
This month saw the inaugural CityNet event for both the day and night-time economies and it was fantastic to see it so well received amongst CityNet members and partners. The meeting covered a variety of hot topics, including a demonstration on DISC, free training courses and workshops and an update on the work we are doing on licensed premises.
DISC is CityNet’s new website and mobile app and the event welcomed Charlie Newman, the app developer, who gave a demonstration on how to use the software and how it can be used to benefit our members. It’s our members one-stop shop for reporting incidents of crime to the scheme, browsing prolific offenders, receiving news and alerts, instant messaging each other and submitting public realm reports. DISC also allows members to report crime directly to the Crime Bureau. With reports ranging from theft, violence to begging and street drinking, this app lets users identify problem areas and authorities to combat these issues.
On top of this exciting app, we are now running weekly Safer Business workshops. The workshops are free for Worcester BID and CityNet members and will go through everything needed to help keep customers, staff and businesses safe. Topics covered will include managing conflict, radio operation, DISC, loss prevention and spotting the signs of suspicious behaviour. The training is perfect for any kind of business, whether you are a retailer, bar, restaurant, salon or office, the workshops will give you and your staff the confidence and tools to effectively handle potential situations.
As well as this, Worcester BID is working alongside the West Midlands Counter Terrorism unit to organise ACT Counter Terrorism training. This one-hour session is free for Worcester BID and CityNet members and comes with an online course which gives attendees a nationally recognised accreditation.
Worcester BID also organises free Customer Service and Social Media courses. The customer service courses cover a range of topics, including ‘Customers with Disabilities’ and ‘Principles of Customer Service’ whilst the social media courses can cater for basic and advanced abilities covering any social media platform out there!
As well as training courses, Worcester BID has been working alongside licensees to improve customer experience and safety through Best Bar None. This accreditation looks to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder by assessing licensed premises on their responsible management. The assessment period has now begun and, since the CityNet meeting, both Slug & Lettuce and Cote Brasserie have achieved accreditation! Several other businesses will now be looking to follow their lead over the next few weeks, and these venues successes will then be celebrated with a high-profile awards night towards the end of the year!
Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting, to Charlie Newman from DISC for the wonderful training on the system and to the Guildhall for providing such a beautiful venue. We hope that everyone who attended found the event both informative and useful and we will be looking forward to the next one!
If you would like more information on the topics discussed, please contact James Bell on 01905 731 612 or james.bell@worcesterbid.com.