Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

SEVENOAKS TOWN PARTNERSHIPTHIRD ANNUAL REPORT

2015

Sevenoaks Town Partnershipc/o Sevenoaks Town Council

Town Council OfficesBradbourne Vale Road

Sevenoaks,Kent

TN13 3QG

Tel: 01732 459953

Email: admin.tp@sevenoakstown.gov.uk

Twitter: @SevenoaksTP

Website: www.sevenoakspartnership.org

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, Patron of Sevenoaks Town Partnership

I am delighted to be patron of Sevenoaks Town Partnership as it continues to go from strength to strength. Our local economy remains prosperous, with unemployment 27 percent lower than last year and 57 percent lower than in 2010. Youth unemployment has fallen by a third since last year.

This continued success is in no small part due to the ceaseless efforts of the retailers and businesses that comprise the Sevenoaks Town Partnership.

It was a great pleasure to speak at the Sevenoaks Business Awards in September, where I highlighted the Government’s support for small- and medium-sized businesses. The evening was a timely reminder of the vital role that local businesses and the Partnership play in the future of our town.

It is important that we all play our part in building on this work and I am certain that our excellent organisation needs to maintain its central role.

I congratulate all those involved in its successes and wish you the very best of luck for the next year.

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

An introduction by Cllr Maxine Chakowa, Chairman of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership

I have been involved with the Sevenoaks Town Partnership since its creation in 2011 and therefore was delighted to be elected as Chairman in May of this year.

The first and previous Chairman Cllr Stephen Arnold has moved on to be Mayor of Sevenoaks and through this report I wish to publically thank him for all his hard work in the creation of the partnership and its achievements to date. Stephen is still involved in the partnership and remains as the Vice Chairman.

The last year has continued to be busy building on the success of some now established projects – the Business Awards, Business Show and Vintage Bus and in particular the Calendar of Events. New projects have also been started including the Sevenoaks Christmas Gift Guide aiming to keep the £ local during the festive period.

The partnership has taken an increased role in responding to consultation on matters relating to the economic development of the town including car parking, economic development strategies and the new proposed conference centre.

The success of the Sevenoaks Town Partnership is down to the voluntary contributions of key stakeholders including Sevenoaks Town Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Chamber of Commerce, Knole, Sencio, Stag, Round Table, Coolings, Resident Associations and local retailers all contributing resources to the partnership’s projects.

In addition to the Executive Board there is now a large database of interested parties who comment on the paperwork distributed electronically.

I would like to thank everyone involved in the Sevenoaks Town Partnership I believe it is really making a difference to Sevenoaks town and look forward to another successful year.

Cllr Maxine ChakowaChairman

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Sevenoaks Town Partnership

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 Maxine Chakowa - CHAIRMAN - Sevenoaks Town Council/ Specsavers

Cllr Stephen Arnold - VICE CHAIRMAN - Sevenoaks Town Council

Linda Larter - Sevenoaks Town Council

Cllr Tony Clayton - Sevenoaks Town Council

Jane Parish - Sencio

Elizabeth Dolding - Chamber of Commerce

Cllr Avril Hunter - Sevenoaks District Council

Gabriel Shepherd - Editor, Sevenoaks Chronicle

Clive Andrews - Bligh’s Meadow

Knole Representative - National Trust, Knole

Roger Walshe - The Sevenoaks Society

Mark Bradbury - Sevenoaks District Council

Neil Jackson - Coolings

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Andrew Eyre - Stag Community Arts Centre

Fergal Parkinson - Sevenoaks Round Table

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 at the Sevenoaks Community Centre.

3.2 Website (sevenoakspartnership.org)

The 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 Tesco Sevenoaks

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Sevenoaks Town Council Foyer Sevenoaks Community Centre Café on the Vine

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 (£2.50 day ticket). The partnership was pleased to be able to operate the bus for a third year during 2015. The circular route includes additional stops - Knole, The Stag, Sevenoaks Railway station, The Vine, Blighs, Bus Station, Knole and has proved to be a tremendous success, with 2015 seeing a 20% increase in passengers.

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 Stephen Arnold, Cllr Merilyn Canet, Cllr Andrew

Eyre, Cllr Tony Clayton, Graham Moat, Alan Pittaway, Ian Patterson, Chris Holgate, and Tony Mills.

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

5. Sevenoaks Business ShowThe Business Show was held on 17th April 2015 at the Stag Plaza Suite. The event showcased some of the best local businesses and involved talks on 5 different topics in the House in the Basement. The event was very successful with another show booked for 2016.

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

6. Sevenoaks Business Awards The black tie Award Ceremony held on 11th September at Knole Academy was an exciting evening, well supported by both sponsors and finalists. We were privileged to welcome Douglas Waddell from Hand Picked Hotels who provided a fascinating talk about business strategies.

The winners and finalists were as follows:-

Independent Retailer of the Year:3rd Place – Thomas Cookie Co

2nd Place – Micallef Jewellers

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Winner – Archer Express Dry Cleaners

National Chain Retailer of the Year:3rd Place – Neal’s Yard2nd Place – Specsavers

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Winner – Wagamama

Apprentice of the Year:3rd Place – Charlie Robinson & Harry Bond

2nd Place – Daryl Bacon

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Winner – Stuart Reynolds

New Business Award:3rd Place – Burlanes Interiors & Ten2Two

2nd Place – Oaks Martial Arts Ltd

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Winner – TreeAbility

Customer Choice Award:3rd Place – Heliocentrix

2nd Place – Go Coach

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Winner – Amherst Accountancy

Home Enterprise Award:3rd Place – Market my Product

2nd Place – Thomas Cookie Co

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

Winner – Sevenoaks Mums Network

Judges Choice Award:Francis Jones Jewellers and Knole

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

7. 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.

8.1 Food Fair on the Vine 8th – 10th May 2015

Sevenoaks Town Partnership teamed up with Market Square Group to host a three day Food Fair on the Vine Gardens during May. The event was a great success with food stalls and entertainment throughout the weekend. With 5,000 visitors attending the event, a further three food fairs have now been booked for 2015/2016.

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

8.2 Pink Week 3rd October 2015

Sevenoaks Pink Week started with a party on the Vine Gardens on Saturday 3rd October generously sponsored by local businesses.

Sports groups, local businesses, organisations and retailers all joined force to make this a wonderful and fun experience.

8.3 Sevenoaks Torchlight Parade – 7th November 2015

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 will assist the Round Table with organisational matters and will assist in marketing the event in the coming weeks.

8.4 Christmas Lights Switch On – 27th November 2015

Sevenoaks Town Partnership Third Annual Report - 2015

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.

In order to encourage shoppers to keep the £1 local a Christmas Gift Guide was introduced in 2014 and due to its success will be repeated in 2015.

In 2015 Sevenoaks Town Council will install new Christmas Lights in Bat & Ball, St Johns Hill and Hollybush areas.

9. 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, 2013/14 and 2015/2016 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 3,200Local Businesses Advertising Vintage Bus 1,700Athena Wealth Planning Business Awards 500Specsavers Business Awards 500Warners Solicitors Business Awards 500Handelsbanken Business Awards 500Sevenoaks District Council Business Awards 500Kent County Council Business Awards 500Kall Kwik Business Awards 500Sevenoaks Town Council Match funding for projects 5,000Total £13,400

In addition the Town Partnership has income generating projects and events.

10. 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.