Beeston BID News
All the latest news from both the Beeston BID and the businesses within the town.
Give us your News
We want to promote your business as best we can, so send us your news and we will post it on this page. From here we will be able to get the word out to the social media facebook and twitter to draw attention to your business. Telephone 0115 8712037 or email stephanie@beestonbid.org
Beeston BID Newsletter
Here's the January 2012 edition of the Beeston BID Newsletter, Beeston BID Newsletter (0.6 MB).
Facebook page a success!
Following a 3 week competition on Capital FM, our Lets Go To Beeston page is a big hit both with local residents and people further afield. Onyx Goldsmiths kindly donated a white gold ring set with a Princess cut Tanzanite stone and a carat of diamonds worth £1,500 and Capital FM donated 2 tickets for the Capital FM Arena. The lucky winner was Beeston resident Angela Wilson who was thrilled with her prizes. Don't forget, you can post offers and promotions for your business on our page. If you need help with creating a Facebook account, why not come along to the PR clinic?
Free Summer Play Day Comes to Beeston for the First Time
Families in Nottinghamshire have the chance to enjoy some fun in the Beeston sun this summer, as the annual Summer Play Day comes to the town for the first time.
Held on Tuesday 2nd August from 12 noon 4pm in Broadgate Park and Beeston Square and also including a Treasure Trail along Wollaton Road, it promises to be a fun day out for all the family and provides something for the children to do during the summer holidays.
Activities on the park include: Make and take activities, an inflatable Noah's Ark and Giant slide, pet wise zoo, puppet show, sports activities, BMX and KMX workshops, a climbing wall, martial arts demonstrations from Warrior Martial Arts and activities for under 5s.
Warrior Martial Arts Schools are proud to announce the expansion of our new Little Tiger Cubs training designed specifically for children age 3 to 5 years. The training programme is a mixture of simple training exercises and games designed to assist in the physical development, improved health and increased fitness of each child.
There will also be a puppet show and stilt walking balloon modeller on the square. Further family entertainment includes a bouncy castle, sumo ring, face painting and a Mexican style BBQ at The Commercial Inn.
Thanks to an exciting partnership between Beeston BID and Broxtowe Borough Council, this is the first time that the summer play day has taken place in Beeston. Stephanie Wilkinson of Beeston BID said I am delighted that we are able to bring this much loved event to Beeston for the first time. There is plenty to do for all ages and with the creation of the Wollaton Road treasure trail it is a great chance for families to explore the huge variety of independent stores that we have to offer, as well as the better known national chains.
Parking is not available on site but it will cost you no more than £3 to park all day in Beeston.
Onyx Jewellery Celebrate 25 Years of Business in Beeston
Onyx Goldsmiths (Onyx), a family run business in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, celebrates its 25th anniversary today (20th July).
The shop, which is situated on Beeston High Road, has developed from a small traditional jeweller and workshop into one that's unique range has been featured on major TV shows including "Footballers Wives" and "Sex In The City". One item (a necklace) even made a guest appearance at the Pride of Britain Awards, where it was worn by a loyal local customer whose husband (a Nobel Prize winner) had asked for it to be specially made for their Ruby Wedding Anniversary.
Glittering award ceremonies and events are becoming an increasingly important part of the business, with a new hire service growing in popularity to such an extent that bespoke Onyx pieces are regularly seen adorning the well-dressed at Ascot and the Proms.
We believe jewellery is an extension of your personality, explains owner Erica Mucenieks, whose team of four has carried out over 5,000 repairs, renovations and items made to order in the last year alone.
We have a huge range of customers (some 12,000 on our database alone) and they all want something that little bit special and unique to them. Fortunately, after 25 years of running the business we know exactly how to provide it!
The anniversary of the business coincided with two other local celebrations - the launch of the new facebook page, 'Lets Go To Beeston', which is the public brand of the Beeston BID (Business Improvement District) and the Beeston Carnival, for which Onyx designs the tiaras for the Carnival Princesses.
In order to celebrate their 25th anniversary, Onyx recently held a 'hunt the ladybird' competition which encouraged customers to take a closer look at their window display and also one which teamed up with Beeston BID and Capital FM to attract new followers to the facebook fanpage.
To set the ball rolling, Stephanie Wilkinson, manager of Beeston BID sought a selection of prizes from within Beeston's business community. It wasn't long before the prize on offer from Onyx a white gold ring set with a Princess cut Tanzanite stone and a carat of diamonds worth £1,500 - was selected as the top prize, alongside a choice of concerts at the Capital FM Arena.
The lucky winner of the competition was Angela Wilson, from Beeston. Angela is pictured below with Erica and Nick Morley from Capital FM accepting her prize.
Festival of Cycling
Enjoy an evening of cycling activities with Beeston Cycling Club. On Sunday 10th July, Broxtowe Borough Council is holding a Festival of Cycling at Giltbrook Retail Park next to Ikea and Decathlon. The event is supported by Beeston Cycling Club who are helping to organise the day. Amongst all the festivities, there will be trick bikes, junior racing, adult flying lap challenges and the food outlets will be open. The final event is The Beeston CC Criterium Race, open to all comers (with a suitable racing license!) and should be a very exciting end to the day. A flyer with more information is attached if you would like to come along.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Beeston Cycling Club is having a small party on their stand at the finish line where you will be able to enjoy a drink and nibbles and watch the racing from a prime position. Places in the hospitality tent are very limited, and we are particularly keen to meet people and businesses with a genuine interest in supporting the club. If you would like to know more about our plans for next year including developing a competitive road racing team, please do let us know so we can talk to you in more detail about the sponsorship packages available.
Please reply in the first instance to Paul Newson, email: pndesign@mac.com who will confirm the arrangements for the day Remember, places are limited and we are looking for people with a genuine interest in supporting the club's future plans. You are, of course, more than welcome to come along just to watch and take part in some of the many activities!
Beeston is First Town in Midlands to Extend Heroes Welcome
Left-right: Representatives from the Royal British Legion, The New Heroes Welcome flag now flying in Beeston town centre, Mayor of Broxtowe, Pat Lally, Regimental Sergeant Major Terry Cooney 170 (Infra Sp) Engr Gp
Beeston has officially become the first town in the Midlands to sign up to the national Heroes Welcome scheme.
Where displayed, the Heroes Welcome logo shows support for British Armed Forces Personnel and indicates a warm welcome, service upgrade, special acknowledgement or even a little discount as appropriate.
Stephanie Wilkinson, from the Beeston Business Improvement District (Beeston BID), which helped to set up the scheme, said: As we are in such close proximity to Chetwynd Barracks it seemed only fitting that we take part in this scheme and let the businesses of Beeston show their appreciation to the hard work that is put in by our soldiers.
We've already had 30 businesses sign up to the scheme and many more have made enquiries since the launch ceremony, so we are confident that this can help to reinforce Beeston's relationship with the barracks and encourage further trade for the many independent shops in the town centre.
The new scheme was officially launched with a flag raising ceremony in Beeston Square by Mayor of Broxtowe Pat Lally, representatives of the Royal British Legion, members of Chetwynd Barracks and local businesses that have signed up to the scheme.
Conservative MP for Broxtowe, Anna Soubry, who also attended the ceremony said: It is important that we create a strong link with the barracks that is right on our doorstep. This provides local businesses with an ideal opportunity to showcase themselves and I am keen that this continues to be a success.
To find out more about Help For Heroes visit http://www.heroeswelcome.co.uk/
Beeston is a "thriving little town"
To the unsuspecting the Flower & Plant Centre at 96 High Road in Beeston is just the same as it always has been. Lines of flowers and pot plants bask in the sunshine outside the shop and inside is still full to the rafters with gorgeous flower arrangements.
It's only on looking up at the shop front outside that it becomes obvious something has happened! The sign now says 'Roma Flowers & Plants'.
The handover on Friday 25th March was seamless from Emily Anthony of the 'Flower & Plant Centre' to Roma Berridge of 'Roma Flowers & Plants'.
A life in flowers
Roma Berridge lives in Bingham so why did she choose to start her first flower shop in Beeston? We did a lot of research looking at other towns and found that Beeston is a thriving little town and I felt this was the best place to open up my first flower shop.
Since the age of 15 Roma has loved flowers and knew she wanted to be a florist. I only took a break from being a freelance florist when I had my children and now that they are all grown I thought it was time to realise my ambition to have my own shop said Roma. This is all really exciting for me.
Rom is a member of NAFAS National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, BFA British Floral Association and enjoys being on the committee of the 'South Notts Flower Club' in Edwalton.
In her spare time Roma has an allotment, I think this year I will put it down to growing soft fruit as I probably won't have much time!
With Mother's Day just round the corner Roma is bracing herself for a very busy baptism into being a retailer as well as florist. Visit www.romaflowers.co.uk to see their range of flowers.
Launch of Street Angels
On the Friday 11th March Stephanie Wilkinson BID Manager attended the launch of the Street Angels at the Methodist Church on Queens Rd.
HOPE Nottingham has recruited 19 volunteers to wear the florescent Blue jackets of the Street Angels uniform.
The atmosphere was one of excited anticipation as the volunteers made ready to hit the streets of Beeston at 8.30pm
The welcome was conducted by Rev Anthony Oakley and then Nigel Yates the HOPE Nottingham leader gave an address. We also heard from the crew from Halifax Street Angels and well it was working there.
Pat and Lynda Lally, Mayor and Mayoress of Beeston, were there not only to lend their support for the HOPE project but also to volunteer as Street Angels patrolling the streets.
The purpose of the Street Angels is to patrol the streets of Beeston on a Friday and Saturday night to ensure that everyone stays safe and has an enjoyable evening.
This is a great town and we are just trying to make it better commented Nigel Yates.
It is the fear of antisocial behaviour that HOPE wants to drive away. There have only been two antisocial incidents involving weekend revellers by the police in the last two months. Which means Beeston does not have a problem and that this is a very safe and enjoyable place to have a night out said Nigel.
The launch evening ended with hot pizza.
If you would like to volunteer to be a Street Angel please contact Nigel on 0115 943 6081 or email hope@hopenottingham.org.uk or visit their website for more information, www.hopenottingham.org.uk.
Street Angels are coming to Beeston on 11th March
Led by "Hope NG9 Churches Together", Street Angels involves teams of volunteers walking Beeston town centre on Fridays and Saturdays from 9-12pm. The aim is to help make Beeston a safe and enjoyable place to be at night.
Volunteers will promote a positive friendly atmosphere in and around the town; they will be on hand to help anyone who feels vulnerable, to assist those who have had one too many and to engage creatively with young people.
Street Angels will be in high visibility bright blue jackets. Anyone needing assistance won't be able to miss them! Posters will be provided to local pubs and restaurants so that anyone needing support can contact our mobile number and so, for example, get a safe escort to the bus stop or taxi.
The teams will work closely with the local police and Broxtowe community safety team and seeks to be of benefit to local business.
Although led by local Christians, all are welcome to volunteer, subject to vetting and references.
We welcome suggestions and partnership development with any local businesses who would like to get in touch. Visit www.hopenottingham.org.uk, telephone 0115 943 6081 or email hope@hopenottingham.org.uk.
High attendance at the Beeston BID Public Meeting
Over fifty business owners attended the BID Public meeting on Monday 24th January at the Town Hall in Beeston. Everyone had a chance to air their views and find out what the BID team have achieved so far and what the plans are for 2011.
I thought it was all very positive comments Stephanie Wilkinson BID Manager.
We had the opportunity to engage with those who have been undecided about the BID and this enabled us to find out what their business needs from us.
It's very important that businesses get the opportunity to be a part of the BID and to help shape its projects and objectives says Stephanie.
That is what a BID is all about, businesses working together for the good of the whole town.
Since the meeting on Monday Stephanie has been busy booking appointments with businesses who want to get support from the BID.
This is such a good response and I really feel this initiative is going to succeed.
Two new shops open in Beeston in the last few months
Pizza Takeaway
Pronto Pizza 73 Chilwell Road has just opened for business run by Tarajmeer Mamood, his wife Meena and cousin Shafiq. "This is a family business," says Taraj.
Tarajmeer and his family originate from Afghanistan and their culture is reflected in the menu with delights such as mantu, lamb and chicken du peyazza, lamb and chicken karayee and qaabuli palow sitting alongside traditional Hawaiian and Margherita pizzas.
They are running some great launch deals with free home delivery so get down there and get a menu to put on your fridge door.
Infinity Nails
Owner of Infinity Nails is fresh from London where she ran a nail bar with her sister for many years. Ladies in Beeston will now be able to get the real glamorous London bling look for their nails from someone who really knows how to do it.
Infinity Nails is situated at 121 High Road (Broadgate end of town), tel 0115 9224221 for an appointment.
Reopening of Terracotta Restaurant
New owners have recently taken over the Terracotta Restaurant on the High Road and they will be staging a launch on Sunday the 20th of March. Call in to get hold of a menu.
NET on track to run two new tram lines
The project to build lines Two and Three of Nottingham's tram network is going ahead.
Following commercial and financial close and final Government sign-off, the contract has been awarded to Tramlink Nottingham, to take over the operation of the existing tram line (NET Line One) and to build and operate the extended network to Clifton via Wilford and Chilwell via Beeston (NET Phase Two).
A detailed construction programme is now being finalised and the first phase of construction work will start in January 2012. Services on the new lines are planned to start in late 2014.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation at Nottingham City Council, the scheme's promoter, says: After ten years in planning and development, alongside the innovation of the Workplace Parking Levy our ambitious proposals to add two more lines to our tram network will now be realised.
This is fantastic news for Nottingham. In these constrained financial and economic times it means a significant boost to the local economy, more jobs and better public transport for thousands of people."
Transport Minister, Norman Baker MP, says: I am delighted that we are able to finally approve funding so that construction of Phase Two of the tram system can begin.
Line One of the Nottingham tram has proved to be a great success in encouraging people onto public transport. These extensions provide the opportunity to build on that success, and give people in the south of Nottingham quicker, more convenient access to the city centre as well as providing an alternative means of accessing the city centre for people commuting by car.
They will also help to regenerate sections of the city and support the Government's wider growth agenda by providing better access to local jobs, and our environmental priority of cutting carbon by encouraging modal shift.
This good news follows on from the Government's recent announcement to fund the widening of the A453, which will feed into a 1000 space NET Park & Ride site on the edge of Clifton further speeding up people's journeys between the M1 and Nottingham.
The economic benefits the extended network will bring to Nottingham City, the county, and the wider East Midlands region will be to:
- Generate construction work opportunities for local companies and people, as well as stimulating the local economy to generate long term employment growth of up to 8,000 jobs and could boost the local economy by around £390m per year
- Provide access to about 1270 City workplaces, to which about 55,000 employees commute, and a further 600 workplaces in Beeston/Chilwell.
- Serve two of the three biggest employers in Greater Nottingham The University of Nottingham and the Queens Medical Centre.
- Serve 20 of the 30 largest employers in Greater Nottingham, who will be within 800m of a tram stop.
- Help to create a first class transport interchange (the Hub'), at Nottingham Railway Station, which itself is receiving a £67 million redevelopment so that people can interchange between trams, trains, cycling, walking, taxis and cars.
Roger Harrison, Chairman of Tramlink Nottingham said: We are delighted to be working with the City Council to help bring to fruition Nottingham's ambitious public transport plans. Our consortium, which includes some of the world's leading companies in the light rail and construction sectors, is excited by the prospect of developing the City's tram network and we are committed to providing an effective and efficient system of which the local community can be proud.
George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, says: More than two-thirds of businesses in Nottingham support the extension of the tram network and the Chamber is delighted that the city has now reached this significant milestone, which will see new development and inward investment come to Nottingham, and help employees access key employment sites along the two new lines in 2014.
Councillor Jane Urquhart, continues: The extension to Nottingham's tram network will reduce social exclusion and reduce congestion on key routes into Nottingham by serving all three Nottingham junctions of the M1.
NET Phase Two will be funded by Nottingham City Council, the Government, and through a combination of tram fare revenue and a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) arrangement over the life of the concession. The Government provides approximately 66% of the estimated £570m (net present value) cost (through the PFI) arrangement, and the remaining 34% coming from Nottingham City Council, mainly through the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). The WPL is a charge on employers based in the city that provide 11 or more car parking places for employees.
Buy local campaign comes to Beeston!
Buy local campaign comes to Beeston!
The Buy Local Campaign in Beeston started off in May with huge success and an aim to raise awareness to the people of Beeston the importance of buying local and supporting local independent businesses. Matt Dunford from The Best of Nottingham said "It was amazing to see how passionate the business owners were to help support this and also meeting so many friendly people in Beeston"
Check out all the pictures on the Facebook fan page, its jam packed with Beeston business owners shouting "buy local" on the megaphone and showing their support by placing a sticker in their window. Make sure you "like" the page to show your support www.facebook.com/buylocalnottingham
Beeston Retailers To Celebrate "Independents Day" on July 4th
Retailers in Beeston (Notts) will be doing their bit to celebrate Independents Day a campaign seeking to drive awareness and support of independent shops on Britain's high streets on July 4th.
Independents Day is run by Skillsmart Retail and the National Skills Academy for Retail and seeks to encourage the public to buy at least one item from a local independent retailer and celebrate diversity on the high street. July also marks "Independent Retailer Month" a concept that began in the US but now hopes to take root in the UK.
As part of the campaign, retailers are encouraged to show their support via logos and posters in shop windows, banners on websites and by interacting with Independents Day on Facebook and twitter.
Beeston BID has already been helping the independent retailers in the town to maximise their potential with a series of free training events, with the "Mary Portas Guide to Successful Retailing" also coming to Beeston on Wednesday 29th June 2011. This training will be delivered by Futurestore, Nottingham's retail skills shop.
Stephanie Wilkinson, Beeston BID manager said: We have got hundreds of independent retailers in Beeston and we are keen to help them wherever we can to maximise their potential. Independents Day is a concept we felt we could get behind as it is another opportunity for the town's retailers to profile themselves locally and further-a-field.
In the build up to July 4th we will also be running a competition on our Facebook page, "Lets Go To Beeston", to find the best window display in the town centre with the winner receiving a Mary Portas Masterclass worth £200 to help them take their business on to new heights.
June Cobley, who runs aromatherapy and reflexology business Scents of Harmony, on Chilwell Road, said: I love being part of the fantastic group of unique independent businesses in Beeston. We have so much to offer the visitor that is not to be found in other towns. The BID has opened up a host of opportunities and support for all businesses which small businesses could never afford otherwise, such as the Mary Portas event. I am excited about the events on offer over the next few years.
Anne Seaman, chief executive of Skillsmart Retail said: We are delighted to lead this campaign and support small retailers. Raising awareness amongst the public is one of the biggest challenges smaller retailers face and our message is about encouraging the public to use their local high street and understand how important a diverse retail sector is.
It's also essential that local retailers understand that to compete today they need to be top of their game. The time for sitting back has passed and action is required: Your high street needs you!
Retailers wishing to get involved can download the 'Your high street needs you!' poster online, 'like' the campaign on Facebook and follow it on twitter.
Beeston BID Office Officially Open
Beeston BID Office Officially Open. From the left to right: Anna Soubry MP, Stephanie Wilkinson, Rob Darby, and Anne Davies.
The Beeston BID office was full to capacity on Wednesday 20th April when it officially opened its doors to the businesses of Beeston. Joining in the celebrations were MP for Broxtowe Anna Soubry and her friend and former colleague, East Midlands today presenter Anne Davies. Both enjoyed tea and cakes whilst talking to the local business community about what Beeston has to offer. The BID office will act as a central hub where businesses within the BID area can come for support and advice.
Beeston BID Manager Stephanie Wilkinson thanked everyone for coming and for supporting the Beeston Bid (Business Improvement District), which has been created with the aim of raising awareness of Beeston and increasing footfall into the town. The 5 year business plan will see around £1,000,000 spend on marketing and promoting Beeston which is funded via a levy on the local business community.
Stephanie Wilkinson commented "It's great to see so many people turn out for this event. This past few months has been tough and we have had to convince some of the business owners that this is a good idea but I can finally start seeing this all come together and by working as a community, Beeston has got a great future ahead of it".
The BID team is currently working on a number of projects which include; 2 interactive touchscreen directories for the town centre and a new "let's go to Beeston" website, a Hero's Welcome initiative working with Chetwynd Barracks, a number of retail training events, increased engagement with Nottingham University and a summer play day on Broadgate park.
For more information about the BID or how to get involved, please visit the 'BID Projects' page on the website www.beestonbid.org or contact the BID Office on 0115 871 2037 or email stephanie@beestonbid.org.
The BID presented to Anna Soubry MP
Stephanie Wilkinson, Beeston BID Manager, met with Anna Soubry the Conservative MP for Broxtowe on Friday 24th March for the first time.
Anna raised her concerns about how businesses were going to survive the upheaval of the tram project and the development of the Square.
Stephanie was able to present the projects and aims of the BID Business Improvement District - that include: a higher profile in the media for the town, installation of all weather Touch screens, bigger events in conjunction with the council, free training events for businesses and a PR service. The BID would also be able to lobby on behalf of 500 businesses and create bigger buying power.
The BID has already started looking into working with a utility consultant who will be able to give us a better deal and save businesses significant amounts on their bills explains Stephanie.
Heroes Welcome
One of the BIDs first events will be the 'Heroes Welcome' on Friday 13th May where the station commander of Chetwynd Barracks and the Mayor of Broxtowe will raise the Beeston 'Heroes Welcome' flag in the Square.
This initiative will see businesses in Beeston signing up to a scheme that will enable their business to be featured on the 'Heroes Welcome' website.
It is important that we create a strong link with the barracks that is right on our doorstep said Anna Soubry who was impressed when she heard details of the BID initiative that is sending businesses up to Chetwynd Barracks. This provides businesses with an ideal opportunity to showcase their business at the ladies coffee mornings. This is very exciting news and I am keen that this continues to be a success.
Pledging support
When businesses received their first levy bill in January Anna received a couple of complaints and she was keen to raise her concerns with Stephanie.
I have always thought the BID was a good idea for Beeston especially now during these difficult economic times commented Anna Soubry. Anything that helps the town become more prosperous has got to be good.
On parting Anna Soubry pledged her support and was keen to work alongside Stephanie to improve Beeston.
YMCA refurbishment and opening
On Wednesday 3rd March the YMCA charity shop on High Street had a grand re-opening on Wednesday 2nd March after recent refurbishment.
The shop looks crisp and clean and Sarah Wormsley the Shop Manager is thrilled with it. "We are desperate for volunteers to work in the shop" says Sarah, so if you are interested call her on 0115 9224751.
The YMCA charity shop has signed a lease for 5 years and after previously being on a temporary contract.
Beeston celebrate Chinese New Year in style
Beeston celebrate Chinese New Year in style
On Saturday 5th February the high winds did not deter celebrations for welcoming in the Year of the Rabbit.
Despite some events in the square struggling against the weather at Barton's on Chilwell High Road there was a warm dry welcome for everyone.
The stilt walking Geisha and the Dragon Dance were able to relocate their performance to the lofty space at Barton's where 'Have a go' activities were laid on with stalls, puppet shows and Chinese Classical Music performances delighted audiences.
43 families took part in the Chilwell Road Lantern Trail and many retailers like June at Scents of Harmony were delighted with the day.
Although the weather was awful I had 42 people visit me, I even had lots of compliments about my Chinese window display said June.
BID Manager Stephanie Wilkinson was encouraged that 800 people attended the afternoon at Barton's.
There were 200 more people than last year and despite the weather the footfall counter on the High Road recorded the busiest Saturday this year with just under 20,000 people visiting the town centre.
The BID invested capital into the event this year enabling it to be extended out of the Square.
Stephanie also says that the council car park usage was up by a third.
This proves that most people walked around the town discovering new shops.
We intend to build this event year on year and the Barton venue worked extremely well for us commented Stephanie.
Retailers in the town reported that trade was up on the following Monday.
Further information please contact Stephanie Wilkinson BID Manager at email stephanie@beestonbid.org.
