As many readers of the Lowestoft journal are probably aware, we are looking to renew Lowestoft Vision's mandate for another five years of great initiatives aimed at boosting business in the town.
Lowestoft Vision is a Business Improvement District (BID) and was set up in 2013 after an overwhelming vote by all businesses in the BID area and with the aim of making it a better place in which to do business.
All of our businesses within the BID area will have the opportunity to vote on the renewal of Lowestoft Vision this coming May. To secure renewal, we need the approval in a ballot of over 50% of those organisations, both by weight of numbers and rateable value.
I'm am confident that these businesses recognise how we have funded schemes that go beyond anything supported by the public sector through general taxation.
I think the most recognisable and the most engaging is Mike Soanes! Since 2015, Mike has been part-funded by Lowestoft Vision as the town centre's full-time Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).
In that time, Mike has been a reassuring presence within the BID area for retailers to raise their concerns or seek his advice. Given his high-profiled role, Mike's presence is also aimed at being a deterrent to potential shoplifters and others who may wish to undermine the whole retail experience in Lowestoft through anti-social behaviour or dangerous and illegal parking.
As such Mike's role is to support a number of Lowestoft Vision's key objectives especially making the town centre more secure and more appealing. He has been working closely with officers from Lowestoft Police Station and with Lowestoft Vision's team on delivering these objectives, as well as providing regular updates to local business at our retailer events.
As a result of Mike's hard-work (nearly 2400 hours of service over his first two years in post) and other initiatives funded by Lowestoft Vision, there has been a 23.8% reduction in shop thefts in the BID area from April 2015 to April 2017. Over the same period anti-social behaviour has been reduced by 34.5% and Mike has issued 778 parking notices over the same period of time. A significant number I am sure you will agree, and something that benefits not only our BID businesses but to the wider community who live, shop and work in the town.
Lowestoft Vision is looking forward to continuing with the services of Mike Soanes - but only if businesses vote 'yes' to renewing the BID in the spring.
I really believe that Lowestoft Vision is making a major contribution to turning our great town around and I look forward to your support when the ballot papers are sent out.
For further information about how Lowestoft Vision is changing the town centre for the better: www.lowestoftvision.co.uk
