Update from Felixstowe BID

The Felixstowe BID Task Group would like to extend a warm welcome back to all those businesses that are now open. Visit Felixstowe arranged a low-key re-opening (see pages 16 & 17) on Monday 12 April to mark the occasion but dolook out for the 50 Things to Do After Lockdown campaign In the next few weeks as we prepare for more businesses and hospitality outlets to re-open fully.

Right now, why not head to Hamilton Road and the adjoining streets to check out the latest on-trend fashions for the upcoming season, pick up something new for the home as part of your annual spring clean and treat yourself to beautiful coastal-inspired handmade crafts and gifts?

Visit our foodie favourites to create a seaside picnic – delicious breads, meats, cheeses and pastries. Then it’s just a short stroll down Pram Walk or Bent Hill to reach our fabulous Blue Flag beach, or you could wander through the beautiful award-winning Seafront Gardens with their spring blooms of daffodils, crocuses, and bluebells.

Head online and plan your Felixstowe shopping itinerary in advance with our indie listings and downloadable ‘Shop Local’ directory at www.visitfelixstowe.org.uk/shopping, whilst the new Great Outdoors page brings together a host of walking and cycling routes and trails to explore.

Justine O’Malley from Grooveyard Records says: “With our safe pedestrianised shopping areas, unique boutiques and independent retailers, Felixstowe offers a wonderful combination of great retail therapy and beautiful seaside days out and holidays in Suffolk. We look forward to welcoming back our visitors this year.”

It has been encouraging to see new businesses opening their doors for the first time and others making decisions to relocate to bigger and better units. This signals confidence in Felixstowe as a town to do business in.

Additional Support and Guidance
The government has announced a Restart Grant scheme to support businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors with a one-off grant to reopen safely as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

The grant will be administered by East Suffolk Council.  Please check eligibility and guidance at: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/business/covid-19-business-grant-funding

East Suffolk Means Business – eastsuffolkmeansbusiness.co.uk – is a useful signposting site to other grants and support available and for a useful guide through the various schemes available to support your business, go to: www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

The new government-backed Recovery Loan Scheme has also been launched. Find out how to apply here: www.gov.uk/guidance/recovery-loan-scheme

Community Infrastructure Levy Fund
The Felixstowe BID Task Group recently had a presentation from Felixstowe Town Council on the Community Infrastructure Levy fund.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge, introduced by the Planning Act 2008 as a tool for local authorities in England and Wales to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of their area. It came into force on 6 April 2010 through the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010. Eighty-five percent of the CIL payments are retained by East Suffolk Council, but the remaining 15% is passed to the own council to support local eligible projects.

The CIL funding received by the town council has to be spent within five years of receipt.  Previous projects which have been enabled by CIL funds include the enhancement of three play areas in the town.

The town council is now exploring ideas for what the current CIL pot (just over £50,000) could be put towards over the next few years.

As a result of the presentation, Felixstowe BID is collating a list of priorities that have come out of the BID feasibility study and other pieces of work to put forward a list of suggestions.  This is a great opportunity for the BID to work with the local authorities to attract investment.

We will be running an information session to gather ideas from the business community when we have a BID Manager in place. This will be an opportunity for everyone to contribute ideas. In the meantime, please feel free to send your ideas to helen@felixstowebid.co.uk so that we can continue to lobby on your behalf.

Felixstowe BID Levy Payments
In light of Covid-19, some businesses, understandably, will be concerned about receiving an additional invoice and cost to their business in early April. We are pleased to confirm that all levy payments will be invoiced in April with adeferred date for payment in July. 

The Felixstowe BID Task Group isa group of businesses that have supported the development of a Felixstowe BID and regard it as the best opportunity for us all to work together and to access any funds and financial support that is available to make Felixstowe a great place to visit and do business. 

The full Felixstowe BID business plan can be viewed at: www.felixstowebid.co.uk