For Covid-19 Support click here

business

Valentine's Day

Love Is In The Air This Valentine’s Day

, , ,

Love is in the air in Kidderminster town centre in the run up to Valentine’s Day. At Kidderminster BID we have been out looking for perfect presents and ideas for what to wear on the most romantic night of the year.

Vegan Friendly Boots – Available at New Look

We’re urging everyone to shop local. You will find everything you need in the town centre to spoil your loved one with the perfect Valentine’s Gift. Or why not treat yourself instead, there’s no reason why your gift can’t be from me to me.

If you’re going out on a hot date, there are plenty of great restaurants and pubs to choose from in Kidderminster.

We’ve seen some great outfits for you to wear too. If you can’t get glammed up on Valentine’s Day, then when can you?

Make Valentine’s Day 2022 the most romantic yet with help from B&M. You can shop their huge range of affordable Valentine’s gifts from perfumes for her, chocolate boxes and sweet treats- there’s something to keep everyone happy. Their heart lantern is a real bargain.

Heart Lantern – Available at B&M

If it’s beauty and fragrance you are looking for Boots in Weaver’s Wharf can help you show a bit of extra love.

Treating yourself to a dreamy Valentine’s outfit is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day so why not go along to New Look in Weaver’s Wharf. Love is in the air at M&S too, whether you are looking for something to wear, or want to celebrate by dining in with chocolates and thoughtful gifts.

Valentine’s Food & Drink – Available at M&S

Jewellery is a sure way to show a special someone how much they’re loved. At Warren James in Kidderminster, you’ll find jewellery to cherish forever at amazing prices you’ll love.

We found a fantastic Ted Baker bag at TK Maxx in Weaver’s Wharf, and we have been looking at gift sets there too.

Pixi Skincare – Available at Tkmaxx

It’s the perfect time of the year to show your love for the planet too. Kemp Hospice shop on Coventry Street and St Richard’s Hospice shop on the High Street are the ideal choice to re-use, re-purpose and recycle if you’re browsing for something to wear.

Make this a Valentine’s Day to remember by shopping in Kidderminster and you’ll be supporting our local businesses at the same time.   

Supporting Local Businesses

Kidderminster BID Urges Support For Local Businesses In 2022

, , ,

Kidderminster Business Improvement District is starting the year with optimism, and a call to people to support their local businesses.

There’s plenty to look forward to in Kidderminster in the year ahead.

The chancellor announced last year that Kidderminster would receive a further £17.9 million via the Levelling Up Fund, in addition to the £20.5 million Future High Streets funding awarded in December 2020.

The Levelling up funding is set to be invested in three key projects in Kidderminster Town Centre. And we are already starting to see the difference that it makes. It will enable significant changes to the Town Hall, ensuring its future as a major heritage asset, cultural space and events venue.

‘It’s great to see the Exchange Café already open at the Town Hall where people can meet, chat and eat,’ said BID Manager Alex Powell. ‘There’s also an arts activity space for workshops.’

The funding also means that the Piano Building, an empty listed building in the heart of Weavers Wharf will be brought back into use. The Levelling up funding will also finance a new walking and cycle pathway along the canal towpath in partnership with Worcestershire County Council.

Kidderminster is fortunate to have the connecting waterways and the investment is going to make a difference to both local people and visitors to the town centre.

‘Kidderminster BID is working hard to improve the town, both for local people and visitors.’ said Alex.

‘Our town centres have changed dramatically over the years. Even before COVID-19 our high streets nationally have been competing with large retail parks, out of town shopping centres and the ever-present online shopping and we’ve seen some much-loved household names disappear.

‘However, we feel confident that our local community really value our town centre businesses and want to support them.

‘Despite the increase in online shopping there are many people who like to shop in person. They want to have an experience too, maybe combining their shopping with a coffee or lunch. It is now more important than ever that we think twice about where we spend our money. By choosing Kidderminster town centre we’re actually making a difference to where we live and supporting our business community.’

The town has welcomed a new family burger restaurant 89th Street which opened in December at the Bull Ring. It is licensed and serves a range of cocktails and food, including vegetarian and vegan options in a stylish modern interior.

Creating a safe and secure town centre is also at the top of the agenda for Kidderminster BID this year. More than 60 businesses in Kidderminster have come together to focus on security and the town’s loss prevention officers have been having a real impact both dealing with offenders and providing a visible deterrent.

The BID is working in partnership with West Mercia Police to take the first steps towards Purple Flag accreditation and we continue to support a new Pubwatch in the town. The BID also co-ordinates the Cleaner, Safer Kidderminster multi-agency group, bringing together a range of local organisations who are all invested in improving our town centre.

‘We have a strong local business community in Kidderminster,’ said Alex. ‘All of us have a role to play in supporting them in 2022.’

business booster news

Business Booster: Save our high streets, towns and city centres!

, , , , , , , , ,

Here at Kidderminster BID we’re working alongside 100’s of other business improvement districts to ask for support to ensure the survival of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses across the UK. Since the rise in omicron cases, the impact has led to companies needing crucial financial assistance to survive the ongoing disruptions.

Among the #BusinessBooster campaign, we are calling for action from the Government to provide additional support in

What we re asking for:

100% business rate relief for the first three months of 2022 up to 31st March 2022. [no cap]

The VAT reduction should be extended through to the 31st March 2023 at 12.5% to allow the hospitality, retail and leisure sector to respond and support the re-emergence of the UK economy.

The Government to introduce grants up to £15,000 by rateable value to businesses within the hospitality, retail and leisure sector to enable them to survive in light of a festive trading period in tatters, a bleak outlook for the new year and the impending rent quarter date of 25th December 2021.

These are significant requirements that are needed to be put in place in order to give local businesses far and wide, the fighting opportunity to survive another gruelling period of uncertainty.

If we don’t act now our high streets, towns and city centres could be no more and the impact could be catastrophic so now we need everyone to come together and make sure this booster is implemented for the future recovery of our economy.

Read the full letter of proposal to the Prime Minister by clicking on the button below.

Download the letter here

John-Beard-News

Faces of Kidderminster – John Beard Tools & Ironmongery

, ,

John Beard has been a well-known face in Kidderminster for decades.

He set up John Beard Tools & Ironmongery in 1977, along with his wife Beryl. And it is still going strong.

John grew up in Kidderminster and went to Lea Street First and Sladen Secondary schools as a boy.

He went straight into the ironmongery trade when he left school at 15 and was employed by a local hardware store. He then became a sales representative before setting up his own business.

The traditional family run shop, in Bridge St has been providing builders contractors, repairmen, and private homeowners with quality products and expert services for years.

The stock is vast, everything from buckets and bins, to screwdrivers, spanners, locks, hinges, spades, can openers, knives, and hoses.

As well as traditional tools and ironmongery the shop has a wide range of home essentials. They also specialise in key cutting, trophies, medals, pet tags and engraving.

We are a friendly business, and we provide good customer service,’ said John.

‘Whatever business you’re in, you’ve got to know what you’re selling and buying.

‘We have regular customers and many of them have been coming for years. We appreciate their business. A lot of them are friends now. If they are passing and don’t need anything they will still pop in and have a quick chat.’

John’s business won national recognition in 1998 when it earned the Government Consumers First Award. There were 500 nominations across the UK.

His sons Melvyn, Alan and Andrew are all in the business too.

John is a lifelong supporter of Kidderminster Harriers and is also interested in classic cars.

‘I was born in Kidderminster and I know a lot of people,’ he said. ‘It’s a nice place to live and have a business. People in the town are very friendly and there is a good sense of community.

‘My family and I are proud of the service that we have been able to provide for the town.’

John is pictured with his son Alan

Business Advertising Offer

Advertising Offer for Kidderminster BID Businesses

, ,

Many of you will have seen the ‘Welcome Back Kidderminster’ signage on Comberton Hill on the approach to the town centre. This was provided by Alight Media who are offering a promotion to all Kidderminster BID businesses of 25% off advertising on their large digital screen on Comberton Hill. 

If you are interested in taking up the offer, please contact Anne Warren anne@alightmedia.com to find out more.

Advertising Offer

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL