Month: June 2023

• Motorsport East 2023 marketing resources

Available via this link https://www.ourburystedmunds.com/download-the-motorsport-east-2023-social-media-graphics-for-your-marketing/  are marketing resources regarding our Motorsport Event that is taking place on Sunday 16^th July. Feel free to use these on your SM channels, to encourage people to visit the event and our businesses that are open that day.

• Independents Day

As we are all aware, one of the USP of our town is the great variety & quality of Independent businesses we have. We promote this fact throughout the year and the vast majority of membership benefits we offer, are predominantly taken up by Independent businesses.

Unsurprisingly we aren’t the only town who promotes their Independent businesses and hence there being a National Campaign in this regard.

Independents’ Day UK is a national campaign that exists to support and promote independent businesses across the UK all year round but with an annual focus around July 4^th, this year its across a full weekend, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July i.e. this weekend.

Our Bury St Edmunds BID will be posting about Independents Day on our social media channels over the weekend of July 1^s and 2^nd as well as drawing attention to Independents Day on the 4^th of July (also US Independence Day) which coincides with our Tuesday Free From 3 parking initiative, where parking is, free after 3, in every long stay car park and on street parking areas.

If you are an independent business, do tag us on Instagram or Twitter in your posts on Tuesday July 4th and use the hashtag  #UKIndiedDayBSE and #UKIndieDay, as we will be promoting our businesses and we will share as many as we can on our Instagram Stories and retweet from our Twitter account.

If you would like to display a Independents’ Day UK poster in your window to join the campaign you can download it now at https://www.ourburystedmunds.com/join-in-independents-day-2023/

• Car Park Improvement works

You may be aware that the work to improve the multi storey car park (from both a safety and aesthetic perspective) has now been completed. What this means is that the Parkway surface car park will revert back to a short stay car park from Monday 31^st July.

The improvement works to the St Andrews St North Flexi car park will be carried out on Monday 3 July where a rolling closure will be in place. The driving test centre on St Andrews St North has already been liaised with to ensure that the works do not impact on driving tests.

This work will not impact on the Wilcos part of the car park, so shoppers visiting the store and the town centre will be able to carry on as normal.

Then on Tuesday 4th July the relining of School Yard East and School Yard West will take place.

Both sets of work are scheduled to be completed within one day.

• Eco Carrier home delivery scheme

You are probably all aware of the rickshaws that you see around the town working with the vulnerable and infirm and transporting them into the town.

A few months ago the scheme introduced a home delivery service whereby the public could buy/order goods and for a small fee pay to have them delivered to their homes.

This pilot was encouraging but there is a view that the profile of this service needs to be raised so more of the public are aware of it as well as looking to improve the efficiency of the service, whilst also increasing the capacity of the scheme.

It is hoped that by the end of the summer, some funding will be made available, to assist the scheme to achieve these ambitions.

Providing a service that can reduce car use and encourage people to shop locally, with an emphasis upon Independent businesses, is obviously something we would like to support.

I would be most grateful if you contact me if you would be interested in becoming involved in this initiative and/or if  you have any thoughts about how the scheme could be improved.

• Consultation with WSC regarding Public Space Protection Orders

Currently there is a PSPO in place in regards of the Town Centre, which enables the Police to seize alcohol from those who are or may be acting in an Anti Social Behaviour manner.

This, in my opinion, is an essential option to enable the Police to prevent ASB escalating and detrimentally affecting businesses and visitors to the town.  These orders require reviewing and this is required to take place before the end of the summer.

West Suffolk Council are seeking the views of businesses and residents about whether the order could continue.

I firmly believe that the order should be renewed and if it isn’t then the Police could only take affirmative action once offences are committed and that makes little sense to me.

Therefore I would ask that you and your staff find the time to complete this very short survey PSPO, CIA and dog exclusion zone survey (smartsurvey.co.uk) commenting upon the order for our town centre.

Independents’ Day UK is a national campaign that exists to support and promote independent retail businesses across the UK all year round, but with an annual focus around July 4th: this year across a full weekend, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2rd July.

We will be posting about Independents’ Day over the weekend of July 1^s and 2^nd as well as drawing attention to Independents Day on July 4 which coincides with Tuesday Free From 3 – when parking on Tuesdays in the town is free after 3pm.

If you are an independent business do tag us on Instagram or Twitter in your posts on Tuesday July 4 and we will share as many as we can on our Instagram Stories and retweet from our Twitter.

The national campaign has given us an A4 poster if you would like to put this in your window to join the campaign. Download it now from our Marketing Portal.

• Our new Marketing Executive

Can I introduce to you our new team member, Dominika Woloch, who is our new Marketing Executive, who has recently joined us.

Meet The Team – Our Bury St Edmunds

She brings with her considerable marketing experience as well has having previously worked in this capacity at Norwich BID. She is currently getting up to speed with what we want her to be doing for us and our members. In due course she will be able to provide some guidance and advice to members in regards of how they can most effectively promote their business. You will no doubt start to see her around town taking images and videos so she can create engaging and interesting SM posts to further raise the profile of the town as a great retail, hospitality and visitor location.

 

• Our Business Support Manager

With Dominika commencing her full time Marketing role this will enable Mike Kirkham to dedicate his time to his BSM role, from next month. He will assume responsibility for our Gift Card and the Virtual High Street as well as continuing to co-ordinate our free training provision.

We have listened to members over the past few months, in regards of their engagement preferences and requirements, how we can provide more support, guidance and advice to them and I believe these new arrangements provide us with an opportunity to meet these expectations.

• Things are revving up in the town!

Our next family fun free entry event in the town centre is Motorsport East 2023 on Sunday 16^th July 10-4pm. With over 65 competition winning cars in the Buttermarket & Cornhill and free activities and competition in the arc we know this event will attract significant additional visitors. This popular event further promotes our town and helps more people discover your business. Attached is the A5 double sided flyer promoting this event and our upcoming Food & Drink Festival in August. Whilst our significant marketing plan is already in action your support would be appreciated in making these flyers available to your customers and displaying a Motorsport East A4 or A3 window poster. If you can help, please email our marketing executive Dominika Woloch dominika.woloch@ourburystedmunds.com who will get these materials to you.

• Last weeks AGM

I just wanted to thank those of you who were able to join us last week and make those of you who couldn’t, aware of one aspect of my presentation.

This was in relation to the enhanced and more detailed information we are now accessing regarding who is visiting the town, where they are coming from and what they are doing when they are here.

The recording of footfall numbers through our camera in Abbeygate St and those in the arc are an important record of attendance, which provides us with like for like comparative data but it tells us no more than how many people walk past a camera.

Our partnership with huq industries promises to provide us with a far greater insight about those who visit our town, which will be of considerable use and interest to us and you.

We are at the very early stages of our relationship but once I am fully confident regarding the authenticity and accuracy of the data we are being provided with then I will start to share the highlights with you, so you can use the information to assist your decision making on issues such as marketing, opening days & times etc. Watch this space!

 

• Bury Free Press Business Awards

As I have mentioned recently the Bury Free Press are organising their annual business awards and we will again be the sponsor of the Customer Service award. There are 13 separate categories but nominating your business and/or one of your employees is very straightforward and just visit Bury Business Awards 2023 – Enter Now! – Bury Free Press (iliffemediapromotions.co.uk) to find out more. The closing date is in August which might seem a way off but time is of the essence so I would encourage you to submit your entries asap.

Have a great weekend, which I understand is going to be a scorcher!

 

 

Download Motorsport East 2023 social media graphics to use in your marketing and let your customers know about this great event in the town centre.

Launched by the BID in Bury St Edmunds in 2021, Motorsport East has rapidly become a major part of the Annual Motorsport scene here in East Anglia.

This free family event showcases award-winning competition cars in the Buttermarket and Cornhill. You can expect plenty of fun and exciting free activities for the family, including an F1 Stealth Racer Simulator, competition and prizes, Bumper Carz for the younger ones and a roundabout in the Arc Shopping Centre.

We have created some social media visuals which you now download to add to your social media channels and encourage customers to come to the town centre for the event.

Download them now on our Members Marketing Portal.

 

This July and August enjoy the range of events The Apex has to offer. From Sustainability Fairs to musical wonders from all over the world, there is something for everyone.

Here are some of the acts coming up:

The Green Fair: Sat 1 July, 10am-4pm

A celebration of all things eco-friendly, sustainable and green!

Workshops, talks, stalls and information by a variety of local organisations and businesses.

For more info, see www.westsuffolkhive.org.uk/greenfairbse

Free entry

The Quo Experience: Sat 1 Jul, 7.30pm

‘Rockin’ All Over The World’, ‘Whatever You Want’, ‘Down Down’, ‘In The Army Now’… just a few of the many hits spreading five decades of Status Quo’s incredible music history. This show also includes the legendary Status Quo wall of white Marshalls and replica guitars.

The BFO plays Classic Hits! Sun 2 Jul, 6pm

Bury Friendly Orchestra return, joined by Thetford Singers to perform Rutter’s ‘Feel the Spirit’ and a lively and varied programme of popular classical hits.

‘Feel the Spirit’ is a jazzy collection of spirituals with stirring melodies and a raucous conclusion with ‘When the Saints’. Rutter uses the whole orchestra to great affect alongside a full chorus and Mezzo Soprano soloist Sarah Baillie.

After the interval, you can hear ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ March by Elgar and the fierce ‘Mars’ from ‘The Planets’ by Holst. There’s also a chance to join in with a newly arranged medley of British pop hits from the 60’s to the present day.

Gordie MacKeeman And His Rhythm Boys: Mon 3 Jul, 7.30pm

An eclectic genre-defying sound that draws upon bluegrass, old time country, folk, rockabilly, swing, Celtic, and other styles. With Gordie’s exuberance and onstage dynamism, combined with the stellar musicianship of His Rhythm Boys, you have a veritable roots music force.

“A fantastically joyful ensemble, that whip up a storm of rockabilly influenced country; and wow Gordie’s dancing is something to behold, as all the band locked into a ferocious hoedown!”. – Cambridge Folk Festival Review

Catrin Finch and Cimarron: Fri 14 Jul, 7.30pm

One of the world’s greatest harp players meets wild music from the plains of the Orinoco, in a thrilling global collaboration. Catrin’s career includes solo performances with the world’s top orchestras and collaborations with some of the greatest global musicians.

Cimarrón perform joropo dance music, untamed music that preserves the spirit of freedom found in one of the world’s most untouched regions. Fast-paced and powerful, their music combines impetuous singing, amazing stomp dancing, strings and percussion.

Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra: Sun 16 Jul, 4pm

In the final concert of three in the Celebration Sunday series, Leslie Olive conducts pianist Ariel Lanyi in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor.

Beethoven’s first symphony is widely recognised as following paths trodden by Haydn and Mozart, yet already shows the individuality that came to define his evolution of the Classical style into the Romantic.

Johann Christian Bach – the eighteenth child of Johann Sebastian – was a formative influence on the style of both Haydn and Mozart.

J.C.Bach: Overture to Amadis

Mozart: Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor K.466

Beethoven: Symphony No.1 in C Major

Mokoomba: Thu 27 Jul, 7.30pm

An electrifying blend of Afro-fusion and traditional Tonga beats. Mokoomba’s mix of Zimbabwean rhythms, Afrobeat and Afrorock is infectious, enjoyable & extremely danceable.

The name Mokoomba stems from the deep respect that the Tonga people have for the Zambezi River and for the vibrant life that it brings to their music and culture.

Sound of Springsteen: Sat 29 Jul, 7.30pm

With a passion for the work of “The Boss”, the 8 piece bring years of experience of live performances and recording to rock you with Bruce Springsteen’s greatest hits and deep cuts, including ‘Born In The USA’, ‘Glory Days’, ‘Streets of Philadelphia’ and many more.

Just Push Play: Sat 5 Aug, 12 noon

With Mason Hill, Ginger Wildheart & The Sinners, Scarlet Rebels, Troy Redfern, Bastette, Vambo, Blue Nation, Sweet Crisis and Daxx & Roxane.

All in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care.

Delivering an unforgettable live experience, Zimbabwe’s celebrated young band, Mokoomba return to The Apex on 27 July with their enthusiastic mix of pan-African styles and Tonga rhythms.

Zimbabwe was once the powerhouse of African popular music, with artists such as Bhundu Boys and Black Umfolosi. Now, following in their footsteps, Mokoomba have been hailed as the most impressive band the country has produced in recent memory. The incredible vocal range and electrifying intensity of lead singer Mathias Muzaza, together with the band of energetic young musicians, bring raw energy and youthful passion in contagiously joyful performances.

Songlines Magazines have declared them to be “the new hotshots of Pan-African funkiness”, while fRoots Magazine likens Muzaza’s outstanding vocals to Kanda Bongo Man and Baaba Maal.

The Zambesi River touches five African countries and visitors from all around the world come to see Victoria Falls, creating a melting pot of diverse cultures. This helps to explain Mokoomba’s enjoyable and danceable fusion of Afrobeat, Tonga rhythms and Congolese grooves, complemented with dashes of Rap, Ska and Latin.

Their big break came in 2012 with the album ‘Rising Tide’, which featured in ‘Best of’ lists in The Guardian and fRoots and won Songlines Magazine’s Best Newcomer Award. Over the past decade, Mokoomba has toured over 40 countries, and their electrifying performances have captivated audiences at renowned festivals like WOMAD, Roskilde and SXSW.

Praise has been widespread, with the group dubbed “the best young band in Zimbabwe” by The Guardian’s Robin Denslow, and “quite simply the most impressive band Zimbabwe has produced in recent memory” by Afropop Worldwide’s Banning Eyre.

Mokoomba play at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Thursday 27 July. See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for more details and to book tickets.

Motorsport East will roar into Bury St Edmunds town centre next month delighting those with a need for speed and offering a free fun day out for all the family.

The Our Bury St Edmunds event on July 16 runs for a third year since its launch in 2021, when it proved an instant success for fans of sports vehicles of all varieties.

A show of cars and sporting vehicles will fill the town centre, with more than 65 different exhibits all curated by well-known local rally cross commentator and motorsport journalist Arthur Debenham. Laura Cooledge – a Women in Motorsport Ambassador and Club Development Officer at Anglia Motor Sport Club co-hosts the day.

Motorsport East will feature some spectacular competition vehicles with one of the highlights being the Ford GT40 – a motorsport legend that in 1966 broke Ferrari’s winning streak at the Le Mans 24-hour race and went on to win it for a further three years, dominating the event at the end of the decade and also winning four FIA International titles.

Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Mark Cordell said: “This is a fantastic day out for motorsport fans but it’s not just for those who love life in the fast lane – there’ll be bumper cars and free attractions at arc shopping centre. And why not make the most of our fabulous town centre cafes, bars and restaurants to take a pit stop and grab a bite to eat.”

If you’ve always wanted to be in the driving seat yourself then there’s a rare opportunity to drive an F1 Stealth Racer Simulator – at no charge (age/height restrictions apply). Take part in our competition and you could find yourself winning a fabulous gift card prize.

This year the event’s chosen local charity is St Nicholas Hospice Care. Any donations will be gratefully received.

Admission to Motorsport East is free and it runs from 10am to 4pm. For more information about the event and other town centre activities visit www.ourburystedmunds.com or follow our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

David Bingham, who aimed to visit every Wetherspoons in the UK in four years, said that of the 875 he has already visited, the Bury St Edmunds Corn Exchange stood out as one of the best!

The Corn Exchange was turned into a Wetherspoons pub following a refurbishment in June 2010.

This grade I listed monument was originally designed by Ellis & Woodward and built by Lot Jackaman at a cost of £7,000.

It stands on the site of The Shambles (or market) which occupied three sides of the site. The Corn Exchange opened for business in July 1862.

The Corn Exchange is one of the licensed premises featured in the Bury St Edmunds Ale Trail.

Read the full article about this historic pub crawl.