Hinckley Times

New man in charge of promoting the town

The Crescent and cinema have been a big boost

- ANDREW GEORGESON andrew.georgeson@trinitymir­ror.com

HINCKLEY BID has announced a new manager after their long term leader stepped down.

Steve Wegerif has taken over the reins of the BID which aims to promote town-centre businesses.

He knows the town inside out as he has been a director and business liaison manager of the BID for the last seven years under Jonathan White who has moved on.

Steve, who has a background in sales with Bentley Engineerin­g, was also the manager of Whitemoore­s Antiques Centre and County Tearooms in Shenton, which regularly manages to attract the BBC TV cameras to the venue to film various antique shows.

Hinckley BID was the first of its kind in Leicesters­hire. Steve believes the time of it’s formation, when the country was in recession, was key.

He said: “In the time of the reces- sion when nobody knew what was around the corner, and by coming together we were able to keep events running in the town.

“Like other towns, some Hinckley businesses have suffered not only as a result of austerity but also through the increase in internet sales.

“However, Hinckley is changing and able to offer more added value to visitors with its diverse offerings and the addition of the new leisure centre, the cinema and The Crescent which have already increased our economy dramatical­ly, including at night-time.”

Despite a difficult economic climate 230 independen­t businesses, alongside national stores, have signed up to the scheme, with 5,600 having a Hinckley BID Loyalty card.

The town now has a number of very successful events which organised by the BID each year.

These include the Soap Box Derby which is on July 3 and the Classic Car Show in September.

BID has also recently contribute­d to the cost of new hi-spec CCTV cameras for the town centre.

It also plans to install two 46 inch informatio­n touch-screens for visitors, free Wi-Fi, a bus to Castle Street from The Crescent and free family fun days throughout the summer.

With 9,000 homes set to be built over the next 10 years in Hinckley and more people moving into the town, Steve sees a bright future for the BID and the town.

He said: “It’s an expanding town, for sure, and with all the new businesses we need people to come into Hinckley. The footfall we’re getting from places outside of Hinckley is unpreceden­ted.

“The more people that move into and visit the town centre, the more the businesses are supported.”

Outgoing manager Jonathan White played a big part in the BID from it’s foundation nine years ago and will now take a position on the board.

Ian Daniels, chairman of the Hinckley Town Centre Partnershi­p Ltd, said: “I take this oppor- tunity of thanking Jonathan for all his hard work. He would have been very much missed but I am pleased to say he has agreed to take a position on the board.

“That, together with the appointmen­t of Steve Wegerif, Jonathan’s deputy for many years, as BID manager will ensure the BID will continue to go from strength to strength.”

 ??  ?? Steve Wegerif
Steve Wegerif

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