A funding application, on behalf of the retailers and businesses in North Bar Within and Without, to establish a new shopping concept built around these landmark Beverley streets has been successful.
The North Bar Traders Association, set up 10 months ago, have been working with retail and marketing strategy consultants to put together a plan to promote the shops, restaurants and businesses in the area. Today the group have discov-ered their application for funding has been approved.
“Our interest really started with the offer of government money under the Mary Portas Pi-lots initiative” said David Bird, one of the first members of the Association, “the North Bar end of town has suffered in recent years from lack of footfall and this has affected traders very badly. We got together as a group and applied for money through this initiative but unfortunately, for various reasons, we did not qualify”
This meant that the group had to look at self funding, not easy in these difficult economic times, especially for those operating shops and food outlets. Despite this an amount of money has been raised and the Association started to plan their next move. In a meeting with local MP, Graham Stuart, a second source of funding was discussed.
David Bird continues “The Our Town First: Town Teams Partners initiative is part of a government package aimed at helping local towns regenerate and revitalise their shopping areas and high streets. The funding, up to £10,000, is available for projects that will help local organisations like ours create innovative and effective schemes aimed at improving their retail offer. It is necessary to get your MP fully on board as the application is made through them. Graham was very supportive when he learnt about our plans and our application for funding was one of the first to be submitted”
Today’s news that the North Bar Traders Association have received the full amount of funding is very welcome. It means the group can put into place plans that they have for the promotion of the North Bar area as a retail destination.
These plans include promo-tions, events, a dedicated website and signage. “We were all very excited by the strategy that we have discussed and has been created by the group and its consultants” said David “the fact that we have gained this money shows that our plans are highly regarded by central government as well. It also means we can move forward more quickly than we would have done otherwise.
“It’s great news for Beverley, for the town’s residents and businesses not just in North Bar but in other parts of the town. We want to turn the North Bar shopping area into the premier fashion and lifestyle destination in East Yorkshire. One of the most historically important streets in the region will once again become synonymous with design style and chic. Shoppers and visitors will start to notice the improvements and plans we have over the coming months”.
