Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Metricell, 26 Foundry Lane, Horsham

Contact: Email: committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk  Direct Line: 01403 215465

Items
No. Item

The Cabinet Member thanked Metricell for their hospitality and for giving him the opportunity to hold the meeting in their offices.

11.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 204 KB

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 8 September 2021

Minutes:

The notes of the previous meeting held on 8 September were received.

12.

Update on Pop-Up Horsham

To receive an update on the new Pop-Up shop facility in West Street

Minutes:

The Head of Economic Development briefed the group on the Pop-Up Horsham project, which had been launched on 2 November.  This was a pilot scheme funded by the government’s Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) that gave new, small retail businesses an opportunity to sell their products in a pop-up store in West Street. 

 

Pop-Up Horsham appeared to be a good model and similar schemes could be run at other venues in the district in the future.  As well as offering retail opportunities for small businesses, the scheme will be offering workshops and mentoring programmes for business owners.

13.

Other ARG or WBF initiatives

To receive an update on other ARG (Additional Restrictions Grant) and WBF (Welcome Back Fund) initiatives that have been agreed and are making progress

Minutes:

The Head of Economic Development outlined a number of projects that were being funded by the government grants offered to help the economy recover after the impact of Covid 19 (ARG and Welcome Back Fund).  Projects discussed included the production of an ice rink and show at the REC Rooms, off Albion Way. 

 

Grants had been used to increase the funding available through the LEAP programme of small business grants, and double the amount of funding for Shop Improvement Grants.  There was also a series of workshops to support entrepreneurs develop and execute strategies.

14.

Potential ARG projects

To receive a briefing on other possible ARG projects

Minutes:

The Head of Economic Development briefed the group on a number of projects that were at an early stage of development. These included projects that would: help bring empty premises back into use; encourage and facilitate the use of local produce by the hospitality sector; and offer skills development to those in the hospitality sector.

 

The group were also given details of recent monitoring of economic activity in the district, including how Horsham town centre and high streets in the towns and larger villages in the district were performing since lockdown.   

 

The Head of Economic Development agreed to send Members details of the number of vacant premises in the district.

 

It was agreed that a briefing on Swan Walk and an update on the BID process would be brought to the next meeting.