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Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
SEVENOAKS TOWN PARTNERSHIPTHIRD ANNUAL REPORT
2014
Sevenoaks Town Partnershipc/o Sevenoaks Town Council
Town Council OfficesBradbourne Vale Road
Sevenoaks,Kent
TN13 3QG
Tel: 01732 459953
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @SevenoaksTP
Website: www.sevenoakspartnership.org
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, Patron of Sevenoaks Town Partnership
The Sevenoaks Town Partnership has continued to grow in strength this year and I am delighted to be their patron. The local economy continues to flourish and as your MP it is so important for me stress the vital role this partnership, made up of local businesses and retailers as well as Sevenoaks Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, and the Sevenoaks Chronicle continues to play in supporting our local enterprises.
This Government has always believed that small and medium sized businesses are the life blood of the British economy. Thanks to their hard work and determination, we have seen a record fall in unemployment here in Sevenoaks with 225 fewer people on Jobs Seekers Allowance than last year. We all have a part to play to ensure this trend continues.
I was delighted to address the Sevenoaks Business Awards in September where I spoke about the Government's aim to cut needless red tape and our commitment to helping small businesses grow by cutting employers National Insurance contributions, rewarding you for creating the private sector jobs we need for the economic recovery. It is only right that we celebrate your hard work, your passion, your determination and drive to succeed and I look forward to watching you all go from strength to strength this year and beyond.
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
An introduction by Cllr Stephen Arnold, Chairman of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership
I am pleased to present the third annual report of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership and to be able to say that many of our key strategies are being met and further initiatives delivered.
A real measure of our success has been the recognition received at national level, culminating in 2014 with the UK Town Team of the Year award by the Association of Town and City Management. This reward reflects the commitment of everyone associated with the Partnership – sponsors, organisations and individuals – and demonstrates how, year on year, we have developed clearly defined initiatives and objectives.
Sevenoaks is a great place to do business as our recent, very successful 2014 Business Awards ceremony demonstrated. With a sustained increase in new business ventures, increased footfall and a thriving local economy, we have many reasons to be optimistic for further business growth.
As I have mentioned, our continued success is of course dependent on the support and enthusiasm of people, individuals from varied working backgrounds who not only work hard to promote their businesses, but also support our local charities and communities. We have many people to thank.
I would also like to thank the Executive Board for their continued support, ideas and commitment to the success of our Town.
Cllr Stephen ArnoldChairmanSevenoaks Town Partnership
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
1. Sevenoaks Town Partnership – Strategic AimsSince 2011 the Executive Board have been working to develop the following key strategic aims:-
1. Increasing visitors to Sevenoaks Town2. Branding Sevenoaks3. Investigating and investing in different forms of digital marketing4. Developing a branded Town Partnership website5. Providing a calendar of events6. Marketing the town as a clean and safe place to live and visit7. Produce initiatives to address the empty shop issue8. Improve engagement between public, private and economic sector partners in
order to use this combined expertise to improve the town9. Encourage inward investment into the town and make Sevenoaks attractive for
businesses looking to start up10. Improving the accessibility and environment of Sevenoaks town
2. Sevenoaks Town Partnership – Executive Board
The Executive Board consists of the following members:-
Cllr Stephen Arnold - CHAIRMAN - Sevenoaks Town Council
Cllr Tony Clayton - VICE CHAIRMAN - Sevenoaks Town Council
Linda Larter - Sevenoaks Town Council
Jane Parish - Sencio
Chamber of Commerce Board Director - Chamber of Commerce
Cllr Avril Hunter - Sevenoaks District Council
Gabriel Shepherd - Editor, Sevenoaks Chronicle
Clive Andrews - Bligh’s Meadow
Steven Dedman - National Trust, Knole
Sevenoaks Society Member - The Sevenoaks Society
Maxine Chakowa - Specsavers
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Neil Jackson - Coolings
Andrew Eyre - Stag Community Arts Centre
3. Digital Projects
3.1. Information Screens
The information screen which is currently located in the Stag Foyer has attracted paid advertising and has also been used to promote the town’s calendar of events. The information screen at Knole has been temporarily stored during the building’s refurbishments.
3.2 Website (sevenoakspartnership.org)
The new website aims to be the definitive information site for the local community, visitors and businesses and covers a variety of topics including:
Event information Eating out Shops & Businesses Culture & Leisure Young People Local History Tourist Information
This site promotes our fantastic town and encourage visitors and locals to spend more of their leisure and shopping time in Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas. The site is linked to Sevenoaks Town Partnership’s Infopods enabling the information to be publically available in a variety of locations.
3.3 Infopods
Infopods enable access tourist information, including bed & breakfast accommodation, events, businesses, travel information, restaurants and much more.
Infopods are located in: Stag Foyer Kaleidoscope Library Sevenoaks District Council Foyer Sevenoaks Bus Station Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
4 Vintage Bus
The introduction of the Vintage Bus Service was designed to circulate footfall and increase the number of visitors to the Town Centre in particular from Visitors Centre in Knole. Using a hop-on, hop-off ticket (£2 day ticket). The partnership was pleased to be able to operate the bus for a second year during 2014. The circular route was changed for 2014 to include additional stops - Knole, The Stag, Sevenoaks Railway station, The Vine, Blighs, Bus Station, Knole and has proved to be a tremendous success.
There are various individuals and organisations who share in the success of this project. In particular our sincere thanks to:
Knole, who provided considerable sponsorship Go Coach, for their patience and positive attitude in making our bus project
happen Our volunteer bus conductors, Cllr Peter Fleming, Cllr Andrew Eyre, Cllr Avril
Hunter, Graham Moat, Alan Pittaway, Richard Potter, Ian Patterson, Austin Blackburn, Chris Holgate, Gail Sheffield and Tim Metcalf
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
5. Sevenoaks Business Awards The black tie Award Ceremony held on 26 September 2014 at Coolings Garden Centre was an exciting evening, well supported by both sponsors and finalists. We were privileged to welcome Susannah Schofield who provided a fascinating talk about business strategies.
The winners and finalists were as follows:-
Independent Retailer of the Year (less than 10 employees):
Winner: Bat & Ball Sports
Second Place: Sevenoaks Bookshop
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Third Place: Francis Jones Jewellers
Independent Retailer of the Year (more than 10 employees)
Winner: Raj Bari
Second Place: El Matador
National Chain Retailer of the Year
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Winner: Tesco Metro
Second Place: Wetherspo0ns
Third Place: JoJo Maman Bebe
Young Entrepreneur
Winner: Zoe Ashfield
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Second Place: Archie King
New Business
Winner: Offset Architects
Second Place: Daniel Jordan Salon
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Third Place: Sevenoaks Mums
Customer Choice
Winner: Malabar Coffee House
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Second Place: La Manica
Third Place: Alan Johnson Vehicle Repair
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Home Enterprise
Winner: Sevenoaks Candle Company
Second Place: Love From Kent
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Third Place: Glenn Ball Architect
Judges Choice
Winner: Billy Westley Market Trader
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
6. Sponsoring of Events and Events Committee
As previously mentioned the Sevenoaks Town partnership is involved in a variety of events aimed at both the local community and businesses. Sponsoring opportunities may be available.
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Events Committee has continued to grow. The aim of the Events Committee is for members to consolidate and share resources, experience and practical knowledge. Membership is open to any organisation or individual who currently arranges public events or wishes to develop a further event idea or proposal.
Discussions take place about practical matters including first aid provision, environmental health, food hygiene and public licensing, in addition to general sharing of resources.
6.1 Pink Week 4th October 2014
Sevenoaks Pink Week started with a street party in London Road on 4 October 2014 generously sponsored by local businesses.
Sports groups, local businesses, organisations and retailers all joined force to make this a wonderful and fun experience. 3,500 people attended the first evening and raised £1,700 for Breast Cancer Care.
The week ended with the Mayor judging pink shop windows. An exciting end to a wonderful, well attended week. Sevenoaks is the only town in the UK to hold such an event and it attracts visitors from across the country.
6.2 Sevenoaks Torchlight Parade - 8 November 2014
The Round Table has successfully run the Torchlight Parade for many years. Last year to meet the ever growing number of people the procession will congregate in the High Street (which is closed for the event) rather than behind the bus station.
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
This new arrangement provided an opportunity for entertainment prior to the fireworks, to take place in the High Street. Look out for fairground rides, music and stalls.
Sevenoaks Town Partnership will assist the Round Table with organisational matters and will assist in marketing the event in the coming weeks.
Fergal Parkinson Sevenoaks Round Table stated
“Sevenoaks Town Council and the Town Partnership are vital to the continued success of the Sevenoaks Round Table annual charity fireworks display which raises a significant amount of money every year for good causes in the town. Their support and vision for this event, which is now in its 60th year, is truly wonderful and ensures it will continue for many more years. Sevenoaks is a wonderful place to live and that is down in part to the tireless work done by everyone at Sevenoaks Town Council and Sevenoaks Town Partnership”
6.3 Christmas Lights Switch On – 28 November 2014
Sevenoaks Town Council is already well into the arrangements for this event and the installation display of Christmas Lights in the town centre. The logistics of the event become ever more demanding each year as its popularity increases. In recent years approximately 7,000 people have attended this evening event.
Sevenoaks Town Partnership members are always a great help with this event, particularly Specsavers who are the main sponsor, generously providing £2,000 and the location for our ever popular Santa’s Grotto.
In 2014 the Chamber of Commerce will be assisting by coordinating stalls selling Christmas related products in the Bligh’s pedestrian area.
We are pleased to announce that the Panto Parade for school children will be back this year.
7. National Recognition
Many people have been working hard to promote the success of the Partnership, and therefore it is most welcome to receive nationally recognised accolades:
Sevenoaks Town Partnership has been named Town Team of the Year at the Association of Town and City Management 2014 Awards. There are currently over 400 Town Teams across the UK which were set up in the wake of the Portas Review, commissioned in 2011 by the Prime Minister.
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
The Association of Town and City Management is the lead body appointed by Central Government to support the nationwide network of Town Teams. Judges were impressed by the Sevenoaks Town Partnership’s raft of achievements, including but not limited to, branding of the Town, creation of a digital hub, implementation of the infopod project, and of course the Vintage Bus which has attracted national attention from both ministers and other relevant organisations.
In addition the Sevenoaks Town Partnership was awarded with the Towns Alive South Zone Award for 2013.
8. Sponsorship / Grant Funding
Sevenoaks Town Council supported the creation of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership and has demonstrated this by providing facilities and staff resources. In addition the Town Council provided funding of £5,000 for the 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14 financial years. This however is subject to matching sponsorship either in cash or ‘in kind’ services.
During the last 12 months Sevenoaks Town Partnership has been successful in obtaining the following funds:-
Funding From Purpose £Knole Vintage Bus 3,190Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve Vintage Bus 500
Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2014
Local Businesses Advertising Vintage Bus 500Brachers Law Business Awards 500Specsavers Business Awards 500Warners Solicitors Business Awards 500Handelbanken Business Awards 500Sevenoaks District Council Business Awards 500Kent County Council Business Awards 500Sevenoaks Town Council Match funding for projects 5,000Breast Cancer Care Pink Street Party 2,000Total £14,190
9. The future of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership
With the support of partners and other income generating initiatives the Sevenoaks Town Partnership’s future, although challenging, should be secured for the coming year.
Future development will rely on the success of our strategies and in particular the support of our community and businesses over the course of the coming year.
