HUDDERSFIELD BID – CORONAVIRUS STATEMENT

In this unprecedented time of uncertainty we at Huddersfield BID would like to reassure businesses and organisations within the BID area of our ongoing vision – to develop Huddersfield into an accessible, safe, vibrant and attractive destination which celebrates its culture and heritage, serves its local business, university and residential community as well as been recognised as a great place to be.

This week the UK Government announced a £350bn budget to support the country’s economy through the Coronavirus outbreak. Huddersfield BID is working closely with Kirklees Council to understand how the funding will be administered and to ensure that you as a business can access this if required.

Please refer to the Kirklees Council website for the latest updates and information

https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/health-and-well-being/coronavirus.aspx

Huddersfield BID remains open and operational here to support our BID levy paying businesses and the wider community during this time. We are currently working with other BID’s throughout the UK to have a direct contact with the UK Government so business concerns are communicated and addressed. More information in the meantime may be found in the links below:

COVID-19 Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Firms with less than 250 members of staff can reclaim SSP payments for up to two weeks and access to business interruption loans: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19#to-support-businesses-experiencing-increases-in-costs-or-financial-disruptions

Public Health Agency: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus

How to work and operate virtually webinar: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/events/2020/03/webinar-how-to-work-and-operate-virtually

Legal and insurance implementations webinar: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/events/2020/03/webinar-legal-and-insurance-implications

Now more than ever it is key to work in collaboration to ensure when the relevant clearance is received from the authorities in question Huddersfield is best placed to entice footfall back into the town centre. Plans to support this positive impact that Huddersfield BID are working tirelessly on are:

Events – The introduction of new events for families, couples, friends & more and supporting current events to increase footfall throughout the town not only directly after this unparalleled outbreak but year on year thereafter.

Hello Huddersfield – A dedicated destination website called ‘Hello Huddersfield’ to showcase the vibrancy of the town and celebrate all that Huddersfield has to offer. Hello Huddersfield will be a modern and quirky platform for food & drink, entertainment, visitor attractions, events, accommodation, interesting blogs and much more. Huddersfield BID plans to showcase Hello Huddersfield throughout the UK through promotion, competitions and media campaigns.

Huddersfield food & drink guide – An exciting and promotional food & drink guide for Huddersfield to encourage the offer of food and drink venues within the local area.The food & drink guides are an effective marketing tool to promote and encourage a larger scale of visitors. Huddersfield BID plans to showcase the Huddersfield food & drink guide throughout the North of England.

Tart up the Town – Enhancing the appearance and vibrancy of the streets  through the project of ‘Tart up the Town’ initiatives such as strategic deep cleans, street art, window vinyl’s, floral displays, creative lighting and working groups collaborating making Huddersfield an attractive place to be.

Street Ambassadors – Within the guidelines set by the Government and the Public Health Agency we will have our Street Ambassador team within the town daily from early April. A uniformed presence adding additionality on the streets with a friendly, welcoming and promotional representation as well as supporting businesses in tackling issues which affect them on a day to-day basis. This team of two will be dedicated to advocating all things Huddersfield as well as being the eyes and ears on the streets, reporting and collating activities making Huddersfield a safer and more attractive place to be. This will also be backed up by evening Street Marshals supporting a safe and vibrant night time economy.

Wayfinding plan – Producing a key document identifying the ways in which people enter and move around the town. This audit whether it be vehicular, pedestrian and by public transport will be vitally important in assisting Huddersfield BID in creating an accessible Huddersfield.

Parking – We are working closely with Kirklees Council to counteract the closure of the Market Hall multi storey car park to increase the towns parking capacity as well as the experience delivered.

Business voice – We are here for you as the business community of Huddersfield. You have told us you want more on offer whether that be networking opportunities, dedicated sector forums, footfall monitoring, frameworks developing or training openings.

We understand that for some of our BID members now is an extremely challenging time. We are here to support and assist you and your organisation to which you can contact the BID team at enquires@huddersfieldbid.co.uk