Karen Burton, the joint manager of the Bishop’s Stortford Business Improvement District (BID), writes for the Indie
As BID managers, one of our key responsibilities is to engage with businesses in Bishop’s Stortford town centre, understand their challenges and find ways to address them.
One of the most frustrating aspects of this role is the persistent negativity about our high street. It’s disheartening for our hard-working business owners to hear comments suggesting there’s “nothing” here.
Our district - represented by the D in BID (Business Improvement District) - stretches from Northgate End to the junction of South Street with Newtown Road, including the train station and Dane Street, Jackson Square and adjoining streets on both sides of South Street, Potter Street and North Street.
This area is home to approximately 300 businesses with a rateable value of £10,000 or above, which pay a mandatory levy to fund our business plan. Smaller businesses can join our Friend of the BID scheme for a small fee to access most of our services.
Despite the compact size of our district, we often hear complaints like “I don’t bother to go to town, there’s nothing there”, “there are no independents anymore” or “it’s all cafes, hairdressers, charity and vape shops”.
I’d question that and argue that 300-plus levy-paying businesses must be offering something of value. While it’s undeniable that we have a notable number of these business types, the majority are independent, run by local entrepreneurs who have invested in physical premises and employ local people. Statistics show that money spent at these businesses is more likely to stay within the local economy, benefiting our community.
Of course, these types of businesses thrive on the high street because they provide services that can’t be easily replicated online. You can’t get a haircut or a coffee on Amazon!
Charity shops also play a significant role in our town. They are becoming increasingly retail savvy, focusing on the growing trend of pre-loved and recycled items as well as new, unused items with tags, especially popular among younger generations. Importantly, let’s remember the funds raised in these shops are enabling vital services in our community.
High streets are often criticised for their lack of retail, including opportunities to buy, touch and try on clothing. Don’t forget independents Ruby Room on South Street, Muse on Bridge Street and Aristocrat at Northgate End as well as our trusty national retailers like M&S, H&M, Crew Clothing and Mint Velvet, catering for a variety of tastes and budgets.
We are fortunate to have some specialist shops too, offering face-to-face professional advice as well as retail opportunities. For instance, Photosound in Jackson Square, Kemphaus Kitchens in Florence Walk and Stock Florist in North Street.
To complement our independently-owned businesses, we have a solid representation of high street chains. These nationals prefer specific types of premises and in Bishop’s Stortford those suitable units are nearly fully occupied, demonstrating healthy demand.
So next time you hear, see or even think of uttering one of those negative phrases, remember - Bishop’s Stortford is far from being a town of nothing. Of course there is always room for improvement, but, overall, we are a vibrant community with a diverse range of businesses contributing to our local economy and culture.
Take a wander next time you’re in the town centre and take in the full offering.