Notes from RETAILERS’ GENERAL MEETING
Thursday 3rd July 2008 at The Town Hall, Crowborough
1. Kate Shaw chaired the meeting. 18 in attendance including Cllr Richard Stogdon (ESCC) and Lee St. Clair (Skills Adviser –Sussex Downs College)
2. Lee St. Clair provided the background to level and types of training support available to local businesses from Sussex Downs College (Train to Gain, Apprenticeships and Retail Award). Lee’s contact telephone number at Training Solutions (Sussex Downs College) is 0845 2302 007 for further information. She also explained about preliminary discussions held with Kate Shaw and Tony Slack about holding a seminar/workshop for Crowborough Retailers. Metamorphosis would run the session; the Local Business Network would subsidise the event ( 2 hours or so mid-September at the Town Hall); numbers would be restricted; a nominal charge would be made. It was agreed that this would be set up and priority dates (subject to availability of Town Hall and Metamorphosis) – 18th, 10th, 11th Sept 6.15pm start). All Retailers to be advised. TS to organise in liaison with Kate Shaw and Lee St. Clair.
3. Apologies received from Charles Hendry; Patrick Smith; Jim Hollins; Jackie Wilkes; Martin Prestage
4. Minutes from last meeting confirmed as fair reflection
5. Matters arising (not appearing elsewhere on Agenda)
o Shopwatch – Operational issues being experienced. Sue Cro to report back to Rod Tomlinson for immediate resolution.
o Change of use A1 to A2 Planning Application – Former Roan Cards shop - approval granted
o Retailers’ responses to Cllr Tidy about pedestrianisation – outstanding and Kate Shaw to follow up
o Details of excel spreadsheet / e-mail about Rates/evidence to Retailers- Chris Grose will copy the information on Library/Retailers’ sections of www.crowborough.info / biz
6.Events Committee reports
o Crowborough Shopping bag promotion. Sue Cro displayed bags. Sale price is £2.50 each and they will be launched at Summer Fair on 12th July and available from Retailers.
o Planned event to promote the town on Saturday 26th July 2008 is coming together thanks to everyone’s very hard work. Please turn over for content of flyer delivered to households/retailers.
o Plans for an event in Jarvis Brook in September will be progressed after the 26th July event.
o Paul Kemp is managing and controlling finances for the Fun Day event. For the sake of transparency current credit balances in the Crowborough Partnership Bank Account ring-fenced for Retail related expenditure are: General exp - £269.26; Signage grant from WDC£1236; Promoting Crowborough grant from WDC - £3101.42
7. TESCO and their potential development of FOCUS store
It was agreed that TS on behalf of Crowborough Retail Association (CRA) would approach Managers of Lidl, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Morrisons suggesting a preliminary meeting should be held with them/their HO representatives and representatives of the CRA in order to discuss how best to work together to achieve a much more vibrant shopping experience in the town.
8. AOB Next meeting of Crowborough Retail Association
Thursday 4th September. 6pm start. Town Hall, Crowborough
