Welcome to the latest edition of The Winchester Entrepreneur. I am glad to be addressing you again as the Leader of Winchester City Council, and the portfolio holder for economy and tourism.
It is vital we keep the pressure up on work to help the local business community, in the context of a faltering national economic picture.
This issue includes information about about the BID progress, as well as some useful links to upcoming events and a new car share scheme for the town.
Best wishes
Cllr George Beckett
Bidding for more secure business
Winchester Business Improvement District (BID), delivered by Winchester City Centre Partnership, is already bringing about projects to make Winchester a better place to do business.
Two additional Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been recruited who will patrol Winchester City Centre, supporting the work of existing police officers.
Winchester District Commander, Chief Inspector Steve France-Sargeant, said:
Winchester District Police have an excellent partnership relationship with the City Centre and associated businesses and we welcome the funding opportunity to further support that partnership in providing two extra PCSOs into that community.
Winchester continues to be one of the safest places to live, visit and work and the Business Improvement District is an 
initiative that confirms the commitment between Hampshire Constabulary and the business community to maintain and enhance the City's fine reputation.
More Secure:
Other security measures undertaken out of the BID include the purchasing of 100 security radios to be distributed at a very low rent to Winchester City Centre Partnership’s ShopWatch and PubWatch members.
The radios will link businesses to CCTV controllers, Winchester Police (including the new PCSOs), Winchester City Centre Partnership and other businesses. On average these schemes directly result in around 10 arrests per month. The success of the scheme speaks volumes, and more and more businesses are coming on board.
More Attractive:
The BID is also due to make Winchester a more attractive city. Floral displays are planned to aid the welcome into the city centre for visitors, and Christmas lights are anticipated to be bigger and better than ever! Longer term plans include a marketing campaign, waste disposal intitiatives, and bringing the local business community together with a common voice.
The BID was agreed by businesses in a referendum last summer. Business rate payers agreed to spend 1.5% more, in order to see greater activity to support businesses in the area.
For more information about plans for the Business Improvement District, contact Kate Crawford, Economic Development Officer on kcrawford@winchester.gov.uk, or telephone 01962 848 563.
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Winchester Car Club |
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Winchester City Council |
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