Lichfield & Tamworth Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons
Contact: Chris Brewerton T: 0845 6036650
Lichfield high-street is bucking the trend
High-streets are not dead but evolving and learning to live with online shopping, says a leading Lichfield businessman. James Blackman (pictured), president of
Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber, said that media reports saying that high-streets are dying were wide of the mark. He says: “I can’t agree with this and we are in
IT support: David Tomalin (right) with some of the adults taking part in activities at Minster Hall
PC given new lease
of life thanks to BID An almost new PC has been saved from the scrapheap and is now helping adults with learning difficulties in Lichfield. Although fully functional, the PC was due
to be scrapped, until an eagle-eyed worker at Lichfield Business Improvement District (BID) spotted it on Twitter. The BID employee, Brendon Stewart,
contacted the owner and rescued the PC, which has now been donated to Minster Hall adult care centre in Dam Street, Lichfield.
‘It’s wonderful that we have been part of helping those less able’
Sherratts Wood, who provide day
activities at Minster Hall to adults living with learning difficulties and mental and physical health conditions, will use the restored PC for learning and development support and said: “We’re quite hidden away and not many people are aware of us being here or what we do. “Most of our group activities rely on
donations as we don’t have a lot of equipment ourselves, and we often get missed out because we’re in a nice secluded location.” BID Manager David Tomalin said: “It’s
wonderful that we have been part of helping those less able in becoming that little bit more confident. “I’m sure they will have greater access to
learning and support resources which will benefit all of the service users immensely. “Not only is Lichfield a unique visitor
experience, but we have a close community like no other which enriches the city even more.”
34 CHAMBERLINK June 2019
grave danger of talking ourselves in a self- fulfilling prophecy. High-streets are far from dead and in some places, like Lichfield, they are evolving. “With the sad news about
Debenhams going into administration, it becomes equally alarming for the Lichfield branch and more importantly the staff involved. However, Lichfield is in a very unique position for retail and business in general and is bucking the national trend for visitors to its high-street.” Mr Blackman cites statistics about Lichfield
that might be less known that the fact that it is the 12th smallest city in the UK. • Retail vacancies are less than half the national average; • The number of start-up businesses is considerably higher in Lichfield than another area; • Survival rate (first five years) is 47 per cent – two per cent higher than the average; • EU Enterprise Scheme - 14 businesses where successful with their applications and 32 new jobs were created; • Growth Hub work has employed two more people to meet demand;
• The local business improvement district (BID) is instrumental in helping and driving footfall to Lichfield from all over the UK; • Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber is actively working with all types of businesses and helping to support, connect and grow Lichfield’s economy; • Lichfield had a footfall of over one million in December, making it the busiest month in 2018; • The footfall for Lichfield BID over the last 52 weeks is 6.3 per cent up on the previous year; • Footfall for the year to date is 13 per cent up on the previous year. Mr Blackman said: “The BID, along with delivery partners, has
successfully arranged and managed many events which help bring tens of thousands to Lichfield.
“Savvy retailers know it benefits them,
with many return visitors, giving more brand awareness and makes Lichfield the vibrant, thriving, go to place for shopping, eating, drinking and tourism.” Lichfield BID chairman Paul Maddox said: “We
work tirelessly to promote our wonderful city which continues to provide a buoyant and welcoming place for businesses to start and thrive. “Small businesses, independent retailers and
start-ups are discovering the value of being a part of Lichfield’s thriving business community. “Whatever happens to the national chains, the
rest of the high-street and its supporting business eco-system will still be here and still be offering the wonderful mix that it offers today.”
A straightfoward appointment
Sam Bird has been appointed head of marketing of the Lichfield-based creative design agency Straightforward. Originally from Shenstone, she initially
pursued a teaching career before joining Disneyland Paris. In 1998 she was appointed head of marketing at top rugby team Harlequins, before starting her own consultancy in 2001. Her involvement with professional rugby
continued when she was approached to join the organising committee of the 2015 Rugby World Cup as event and city operations manager for England Rugby 2015. The sporting theme is to continue at
Straightforward, which has worked with a number of blue chip clients both nationally and regionally including the FA’s St Georges Park and West Bromwich Albion Football Club. She said: “It’s great to join a team of like-
minded creatives at Straightforward. I’m looking forward to continuing to push the boundaries.”
Sam Bird and Straightforward founder John Heeler
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