Team effort helps to deliver support
THE team at Ymlaen Llanelli – the organisation behind the Llanelli BID, Business Improvement District – is delivering lockdown support to businesses and the community.
The coronavirus crisis has had a huge impact on independent businesses in Llanelli, drastically changing the way they interact with customers, with many temporarily closing their doors to comply with lockdown restrictions.
Now, as lockdown begins to ease, Ymlaen Llanelli has launched several initiatives to help town centre businesses reopen and recover.
This week, more than 30 businesses have received a ‘Recovery Package’, free of charge for BID levy-payers, including a sneeze guard screen, hand sanitizers, social distancing floor stickers and posters.
Ymlaen Llanelli manager Mandy Jenkins said the response to the package has been incredible.
She added: “Businesses across the UK have been struggling to order these items individually, so we wanted to help those within the BID by organising this package for them as a collective.
“It’s a stressful time for businesses and everyone has been really appreciative of the support. We can’t wait to welcome people back into town as businesses reopen safely.”
Among the recipients of the Ymlaen Llanelli ‘Recovery Package’ have been David Mordue, of Daizine Tattoo and Piercing Studio, and Peter Beale, of The Welsh Shop and Beale’s Linens.
To help combat the drop in revenue due to the crisis, Ymlaen Llanelli has also created the Llanelli Town Centre Exposure Fund, in collaboration with Emerge Advertising Limited.
With joint funding from both organisations, businesses within the BID can apply for a free advertising slot on Emerge’s digital billboard at the Halfway lights, the biggest advertising space in Llanelli.
Shaun Jones, director of Emerge Advertising, is proud to be offering this new opportunity.
He said: “We reach a huge number of people with our digital billboard and we’re excited to give something back to the local business community. Some businesses may never have had this level of exposure before and so it’s an honour to give them that extra support by offering our space.”
The business community isn’t the only one receiving support, as Ymlaen Llanelli is partnering with BID businesses to donate fresh hot meals to local care home staff and key workers. Announced this week on Facebook, a number of food businesses within the BID will be preparing and delivering meals to care homes around the town centre, paid for by the BID.
Ymlaen Llanelli chairman Lesley Richards said the initiative was a nobrainer. She added: “When we thought of the idea, we simply knew we had to do it.
“Our keyworkers have been dedicated to caring for the local community in an incredibly tough situation and we wanted to give something back to them while further supporting our BID businesses, too.”
Llanelly House was first to deliver meals on Sunday, supplying staff at Ashley Court and The Haven care homes with roast dinners.
Other businesses preparing meals this week include Marzano’s, Bombay Bites and Sultan Fine Dining.
For more information on the reopening package and exposure fund, email Mandy Jenkins on mandy. jenkins@themeans.co.uk.