PARTNERS
LICHFIELD & TAMWORTH CHAMBER PATRONS
CONTACT: Marilyn Castree T: 0845 0710 191
Staffordshire is now close to full employment Now Staffordshire
is really working Staffordshire’s job total has recovered to pre-recession levels, with the county now close to full employment. According to Staffordshire County Council,
there are currently around 383,000 jobs in Staffordshire, compared to 365,000 in 2011. The number of people claiming job seekers
allowance in the county now stands at just one per cent and Staffordshire’s increase in private sector employment is higher than the change seen nationally. The increase in job opportunities comes as
significant business development and inward investment success continues. Potentially, 27,000 jobs could be created across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent thanks to the success of government initiatives such as the ‘City Deal’ and ‘Growth Deal’ and a number of new employment sites identified in the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan. Staffordshire County Council’s economy leader
Mark Winnington said: “Our economic success story continues and follows a real drive by the county council and its partners to increase prosperity for all. “We are seeing new business developments
across the county and existing businesses grow and expand.”
BID supporters make their case
Backing Lichfield’s BID B
usinesses in Lichfield are being asked to back a plan to introduce a Business Improvement District
(BID) in the city centre. More than 500 Lichfield businesses will be
invited to take part in a ballot for the initiative which, if successful, would introduce a range of projects to improve the city centre and boost business growth.
‘The BID committee is hoping businesses will back the initiative’
The projects are contained in a business plan unveiled by the BID steering group, and would form the basis of five year strategy. Among the projects are proposals for
introducing free Wi-Fi, parking offers, a comprehensive marketing strategy, new signage and improved events and markets.
Noah gets a taste of Park life
Nine-year-old Noah Reeves-Walters (pictured), from Kidderminster, has donned his mini concierge uniform to take up a four-week Bank Holiday residence in the four- star hotel reception at Drayton Manor. Noah took on the role to answer questions and assist younger guests with their visit and day out
at the theme park. He said: “I love Drayton Manor Theme Park, but it’s always the adults who give the advice, so I thought it should be the kids who get to ask their questions for a change.” Martin Wright, general manager of the Drayton Manor Hotel, said: “When Noah and his family
contacted us with the idea of him being our child hotel concierge, we jumped at the chance. “The Drayton Manor Theme Park brand is synonymous with family fun and trips out for the
young and young at heart, so it makes perfect sense for us to have someone like Noah offering his help and advice to our younger guests and listening to the issues that are important to them.”
24 CHAMBERLINK JULY/AUGUST 2015
Michelle Baker, Lichfield’s BID development
manager, said: “It was great to launch the BID business plan after months of hard work by businesses across the city. “We’ll be hosting an open business event in
June and will invite all local businesses to come along and find out more.” The BID committee is hoping businesses will
back the initiative, and say for most of them it will cost £250 a year or less. Larger businesses such as supermarket chains Morrisons and Waitrose have already signalled their support for the BID, and they will pay £3,000 a year for it. Marilyn Castree, director of the Lichfield &
Tamworth Chamber of Commerce, said: “BIDs are proven to help grow local economies and they also offer business a powerful local voice on issues that really matter to them. “Addressing issues and continuing to market
Lichfield effectively is key to the promotion of the area.”
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