Andover’s Business Improvement District has been busy behind the scenes getting ready for Monday’s re-opening of many businesses in our high street.
Having worked with local company Saxon Safety to ensure businesses had access to a free risk assessment ahead of opening their doors the team at Andover BID say, “We are delighted to advise you of just some of the key BID initiatives that we are launching to support our town and your business in these difficult times. With government restrictions and the lockdown gradually being lifted, we are aware that opening for some is a phased and difficult operation.”
A number of non-essential retailers will be opening from Monday 15th June, whilst other businesses such as beauty salons, cafes, restaurants, pubs and the leisure industry are working towards the 4th July. Government advice is pending about how this might happen.
Andover BID have shared daily updates on plans and actions taken and provided businesses with a constant stream of useful information since the beginning of the lockdown period through local radio, newspaper, social media and online websites.
ANDOVER UNLOCKED
A massive BID promotional campaign launching now and to run over the summer encouraging people to get people back shopping in our town centre. ‘Andover Unlocked’ will involve direct advertising from the Andover Advertiser, Andover Radio, online editorial, social media and a huge on-the-street promotion – all of which are to the benefit for local businesses, whilst giving positive PR and promoting #ShopAndover.
Listen to 95.9FM Andover Radio as it releases more details about a massive competition for people to try and £25,000 in cash plus £5,000 of #ShopAndover shopping vouchers to be spent in local stores.
Thanks to Andover BID, the local radio station will also be announcing how locally-owned town centre businesses can get their share of £35,000 of free local advertising.
‘IN ANDOVER‘ WEBSITE
The team with local web designer Hampshire IT Solutions have been developing a new website ‘InAndover’ which when it launches will be the platform for all Andover BID promotions – this is hoped to be launch next week.
TOWN CENTRE DELIVERY SERVICE
A new Andover independent businesses (“Indies”) delivery service from BID is to launch on Monday to support our valuable Indies for our independent businesses. Daily deliveries from our local shops will be serving SP9, SP10 and SP11 postcode areas and is available through PHAT Services.
FREE PUBLIC WiFi IN ANDOVER TOWN CENTRE
BID has now gone live in Andover Town Centre with a FREE public WiFi aimed at encouraging people to come into the town. Through their new ‘In Andover’ platform, anyone coming into the town with a smart phone will be prompted to access the town’s free WiFi service, once accepted, it will be available around the town centre area.
ANDOVER TOWN CENTRE RE-OPENING
BID has worked closely with businesses, Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council to ensure that the town is ready and safe for people to start to return.
Many businesses have used the free risk assessment and signage facility in conjunction with Saxon Safety. Businesses that haven’t done this yet are invite to contact Andover BID or download free-to-print notices (we have these available for download below).
Meanwhile, plans for social distancing and appropriate signage is available around the town.
The BID are delighted to have removed an initial plan that the streets off the High street such as George Yard and Black Swan Yard will adopt a simple ‘keep left’ policy, rather than a cumbersome ‘one way’ system initially agreed.
BID management are also keen to remind shoppers and businesses owners that Test Valley Borough Council are allowing 2-hour free car parking in all its car parks until 21st July to help with the re-opening of the High Street.
From Monday the BID will continue its delivery of branded shopping bags for independent business in the town.
Andover Radio will be talking with leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Phil North, over the weekend about what shoppers can expect from their town centre as he also explains the new customer control systems in place in the Chantry Centre.
