Thanks to Bob Ventress, Chairman of the Ventnor Business Association for this report from last week’s meeting. Ed
Chairman’s Report, Members Autumn Meeting – 11 September 2013
After a busy summer period sustained by two glorious months of mainly warm and sunny weather it was good to welcome a reasonable turn out of Members.
Town Maps
The new Town Maps have almost all been taken up by visitors. This will be updated for next year at an early date with the necessary adjustments.
Love Ventnor Website
Unique visitors to the Website in August were up to 2340 – the highest since the site went live in June and www.loveventnor.co.uk is now on the first page if Ventnor is Googled.
Portas Award
Now the Summer Season is almost over the work will begin on surveys to establish the extent of works and costs needed towards:
- The extension of bunting and fixing points
- Enhanced signage for town and outer reaches
- Fixed Town Map/touchscreen
- Enhanced seasonal lighting to Pier Street and High Street
Town Council
The Town Council’s bid to retain Salisbury Gardens for Community, Council and Business benefit looks to be making progress.
The submission for localisation of Car Parking Control is on programme for the deadline of 30 September.
Winter Gardens – whilst not the progress we would like to see – some tangible commitments has been made in erection of hoarding to the site. The future and security is being closely monitored by the VBA and other interested groups.
The status of Rew Valley Centre is awaiting further developments.
Dinosaur Day
Our Fun Day at Ventnor Park and Putting Green with a Dinosaur theme was a great success – simple but effective fun.
Thanks to all the families who attended.
Ventnor Carnival
Next year would be the 125th year of Ventnor Carnival. Local support and fundraising are essential to see the continuation of this very important week in the Annual Calendar of Ventnor.
We support the Town Council in asking for the last two years audited accounts and planned forward programme from the Carnival Committee so that the extent and requirement of any collective support can be determined.
Visitor Information Point
VBA instigated the new VIP refurbishment in Seasons News Agents in the Love Ventnor branding; paid for by the Isle of Wight Council and actioned by Visit Isle of Wight Ltd.
VBA have refurbished a display cabinet and are working with Bob Flemming to put in place an advertising system for visitor attractions and local businesses.
Isle of Wight Day at Westminster – 17 October 2013
Arranged by our MP and organized by Visit Isle of Wight Ltd – VBA will be developing a display to help promote the town.
Ventnor Fringe, Botanic Gardens, Isle of Arts and Royal Hotel will all be contributing on the day. Your town will be high profile in the House of Westminster.
Style of Wight
This magazine is promoting Ventnor in a double page advertorial spread in the September/October edition and has asked to reproduce the Bread Trail article from the August promotion on our loveventnor Website.
Christmas Trees
We are to carry out a survey of locations/fixing points and probable numbers required, sometime during October, so that costs can be confirmed and actions taken in good time for the festive season.
Social Events
The Association has agreed to hold a Dinner Event on Friday 30 January 2014. All Members and partners are welcome.
Tickets, to include entertainment will be on sale shortly at a cost of £31 per head. Those businesses who are not et members are welcome to book places too – please consider joining and adding to our strength,
KEEP YOUR BUSINESS IN VENTNOR – AND – KEEP VENTNOR IN BUSINESS.
Image: Dept for Business under CC BY 2.0
