COVID Update 94

Footfall is building well and remains higher than the national figures – with our Events imminent we hope to build this even further. Empty shop units have been filling and we are delighted that the large building (previously Dunelm) on Castle Street has been sold and we have been helping the new owner navigate Planning regs etc – the ground floor will be 2 shops and the builders are ready to move in. Hopefully the delayed easing of restrictions to July 19th won’t be put back and we can return to even more normality.

In this issue of the COVID Update newsletter:

• Dr Luke Evans MP asks a question on our behalf in Parliament
• Latest from HBBC on covid restrictions
• FREE First Aid and defibrillator training at the BID office
• BID Events ARE going ahead
• Hinckley BID’s 10th Annual Motorshow – why it’s worth you opening on the day
• BID Loyalty cards soar to 8,500 +
• Have you a story for the BID BUZZ?
• HBBC’s FEAST Event in Argents Mead
• HBBC’s SNAPDRAGON FESTIVAL

Many thanks to all those who attended our BID ‘Roundtable ZOOM’ with Luke – he was very grateful for the information that was shared and understood the various concerns. Regarding Business Rates, he asked a question in parliament and received an interesting reply – please view the short video here.

If you have any questions that you would like to ask Luke in a BID Roundtable ZOOM event, please put the following date and time in your diaries:

• Monday 13th September at 4.00pm.

COVID spot checks and inspections continue as the lifting of lockdown measures is reviewed.

The UK Government has announced a delay of four weeks to the full lifting of restrictions in England which was planned to take place on 21 June 2021.

The government will review the data after two weeks to see if the risks have reduced. It is expected that England will move to Step 4 of the roadmap on 19 July. The latest GOV.UK guidance includes advice on going to work. You should continue to work from home if you can. There is also information if you are in an area where a new COVID-19 variant is spreading. Businesses in England, Scotland and Wales, should continue to follow the relevant government guidance on working safely and put in place measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

HSE is carrying out spot checks and inspections on businesses in all areas to check they have COVID-secure measures in place, to keep workers, visitors and customers safe. During the spot checks and inspections, HSE will provide guidance if required but, where businesses are not managing the risk, they will take action.

The following COVID-secure measures remain unchanged:

• Social distancing
• Adequate ventilation
• Frequent Cleaning

Thank you to the few businesses who have responded, there must be more businesses who would like to know what to do if a customer or staff member collapses on your premises?

Register with Hinckley BID now for FREE First Aid and Defibrillator Training by a Licensed Professional and held at the BID office. A maximum of 10 trainees per session will receive a Certificate showing what they have learned. It is estimated that two 3.5 hour sessions will be planned for each course and dates will be provided once we understand the demand. To book a space for one of your staff, please email steve@hinckleybid.co.uk with the subject ‘First Aid Training’ in the header and the name of your business and staff member as the body copy. We will then contact you again well in advance of the course dates. There are currently 8 accessible Defibrillators in the town centre and knowing how to use them could help you to save a life.

Our Events ARE going ahead and the first two are on July 14th – the Little Train carrying children up and down Castle Street and Crazy Golf at The Crescent. All FREE. Toni Scott, BID Events Organiser, will return from maternity leave for all the Events and is with us for two days a week from July 14th, and 3 days a week from early September.

Two copies of the Summer of Fun leaflets were delivered to your business last week, if you would like more please email steve@hinckleybid.co.uk
especially if your business caters to children or schools please.

Every day we receive more entries and in 2019 this FREE Event brought more than 20,000 visitors into our town centre.

With nearly 400 vehicles already entered you can be sure that this FREE event will be a real crowd puller. If you are going to open on that day, and haven’t already advised us, please email martina@hinckleybid.co.uk with the words ‘OPEN for the Motorshow’ (together with your Open and Closing times) and we will be promoting your business in advance of the Event.

As of today, there are now 8532 BID Loyalty cards in circulation and nearly 70 Hinckley businesses making some kind of offer.

The new card holders are not only from our Borough and many other areas in Leicestershire but increasing numbers are joining from Warwickshire (including Nuneaton).

If you would like to join the 70+ Hinckley Businesses making a Loyalty card offer, please just call us on 01455 698494 and we will come and see you to discuss and advise. Or if you prefer, just email details to steve@hinckleybid.co.uk. An offer need not just be a discount - it could be ‘2 for 1’, or only eligible on a normally slow day or even only available for a spend of over £xx (you decide). And if it becomes too popular, we can withdraw it at a few minutes notice.

The Hinckley BID BUZZ really is welcomed by the 14,000 + who have asked to receive it and this is a great way for our BID businesses to get their message across at no extra charge. Sent out during the first week of every month, please send any details and if possible a picture to martina@hinckleybid.co.uk.

HBBC’s Feast Hinckley returns to Argents Mead on August 7/8 from 10.00am - 5.00pm each day. Over 40 street food vendors, live music, local radio, entertainment and a 120ft giant inflatable assault course, sponsored by Hinckley BID. 4 large pagoda marquees will be provided for shelter or shade and an additional 50 picnic benches will be available in the Mead. Entry is free.

HBBC’s SNAPDRAGON FESTIVAL IS BACK in Argents Mead 4th – 6th August. FREE to attend with 90% of all activities free to take part in, and FOSSE 107 will be there to capture all the fun and laughter! (Please note that activities may be subject to change).

Wednesday 4th August 11am-3pm – National Play Day
Bring your favourite teddy bear for a make-believe teddy’s bears picnic

• Circus Workshop – FREE
• Donkey Rides – £1 a go
• Roaming face painter - FREE

Thursday 5th August 11am-3pm – Super Sports Day

• Sports Workshops - FREE
• Climbing wall, over 7 meters tall– £1 a go
• Roaming face painter - FREE

Friday 6th August 11am-3pm – Magical Fun Day
Come dressed up in your favourite superhero costume/ magical fantasy dress outfit

• Sirius Astronomy workshop – FREE
• Unicorn Rides – £1 a go
• Roaming balloon modeler – FREE

Everyday there will be:

• Giant sandpit sponsored by Hinckley BID
• Giant deckchair
• Snappy disco with DJ
• Have-a-go workshops
• Craft stations
• Treasure trail
• Entertaining costume characters
• Health and Wellbeing area
  
• Breastfeeding area
  
• On-site ice-cream van and drinks re-fill station (£2 for a re-useable bottle)

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Please remember that if we can help, we always will or find somebody who may be able to assist.

Many thanks, stay safe and well.

Steve Wegerif

Published by Hinckley BID – 25/05/2021
Steve Wegerif 0770 939 4841 – steve@hinckleybid.co.uk
www.hinckleybid.co.uk

We are available 7 days a week during the Covid Pandemic.