AN EXCITING proposal to boost retail in Darlington has been unveiled by the town’s Business Improvement District.
Distinct Darlington has revealed its five year plan which includes a focus on marketing Darlington as a destination, creating an engaging programme of festivals and events and promoting the night time economy, as well as using its collective purchasing power to get better deals for businesses.
But the schemes will only go ahead if companies in the town centre vote “yes” for the continuation of the BID when it comes up for renewal next month (Feb).
A number of consultations have taken place across Darlington with both face-to-face meetings with retailers, postal and on-line surveys to discover their priorities for the future.
And those findings have formed the basis of the BID’s new business plan, which will go to vote on 9 February.
“We have done a huge amount of research so if the renewal procedure is successful, we know we are targeting exactly what the businesses in the BID area are looking for to make Darlington a vibrant and bustling town centre,” said Alex Hirst, Manager at Distinct Darlington.
“Over the past years we’ve made some massive achievements, such as the Distinctly Delicious food festival, generating over £300,000 in additional income from Our Little Book of Offers initiative and successfully running a fashion show and classic car show as well as many other footfall-driving events.
“Our five year plan will consolidate this success, with some really exciting schemes.”
Among the projects being outlined going forward is a place marketing campaign to promote the town centre and raise awareness of what’s on offer, a full programme of festivals and events and various rewards and incentives schemes to persuade shoppers to visit Darlington.
Boosting the evening economy and running schemes such as the highly successful Alive After Five promotion introduced by Newcastle’s BID, and a Restaurant Week are also high on the agenda.
The plan is also to return pride to the town centre, with the Rangers working towards enhancing business communications and improving the visitor experience, along with continuation of the hanging baskets and floral displays that the BID currently deliver.
“Where possible, we have taken into account all of the areas flagged up by the businesses in the BID area during the consultation period,” said Alex.
“We have some exciting plans to really help put the town on the map but we can only carry them out with the support of the businesses in Darlington, so we are urging them to vote yes and let us build on the success to date.”
The ballot for the continuation of the BID opens on 9 Feb and runs until 9 March, with the outcome revealed on 10 March.