Skipton BID News
The BID is continuing to promote Skipton over a wide area to give Skipton a competitive edge in the battle to increase customers and footfall. As well as promotions and articles in magazines and newspapers to help to achieve this we have had designed and printed a leaflet containing events happening in Skipton during 2010. Northern Print Distribution Company has been chosen to distribute the guides through the season to Hotels, B&B's TIC's and attractions in Skipton and throughout the wider Skipton area. The guides will also be available for businesses in Skipton to display. If you would like to have copies of these in your premises please contact the office.
Click here to download the Skipton Events Leaflet 2010
Skipton BID Ltd AGM - 15th June 2010
The Skipton Improvement District has held its first AGM and 2 new directors have been elected. Tony Barrett welcomed Richard Mashiter of Craven Stationery and Barry Peters of the IMH Group Ltd to the board, bringing with them many years of business experience. Tony said at the meeting that it had been a learning curve for all the directors establishing what needed to be done and the method appropriate to achieve our aims. This has been no mean feat as all board members are operating businesses of their own in the town. He said ‘as you can appreciate it was daunting at first decide where to start given the BID objectives, some of which would take time to achieve.’ A good start has been made funding festivals, helping Skipton in Bloom, providing FREE training for businesses and much more. The second year will bring other aspects of the business plan into play, with ways to improve car parking and information signs for the town being investigated. Tony thanked the board for its time but most importantly the BID area businesses for paying the BID Levy.
At the board meeting following the AGM Joan Evans was elected Chairman. Tony Barrett as Deputy Chairman.
Skipton Town Guide
Marketing is a major element of the Skipton BID business plan and as part of this, to promote Skipton, we have helped the Chamber of Trade & Commerce to increase the number printed and to extend the distribution of their very popular Skipton Town guide. The guide is being distributed to B&Bs hotels, attractions and Tourist information Centres in North Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and West Yorkshire. The town guide provides a wealth of information for visitors about Skipton, what to see, what to do where to eat and where to shop as well as relaxation by taking a walk around Skipton Woods.
Click here to download the Skipton Town Guide (30MB)
Visitor survey compiled by students of Craven College
You may have seen students from Craven College out about in the town asking questions of visitors. They have been helping the Skipton Business Improvement District (BID) by carrying out a visitor survey to provide information for a Skipton marketing campaign. The students presented the information that they have gathered to the BID Board at a meeting last Thursday. The Vice Principal of Craven College thanked the BID for this opportunity to take part in the first stage of a strong and mutually benefitting relationship. The BID and Craven College are working together to ensure Skipton’s current and future needs.
Events Sponsored by Skipton BID
Sheep Day 2010
The BID sponsored Sheep Day again this year and visitors were treated to sheep races, organised by the Young Farmers Association, and a host of sheep-related entertainment in the closed off High Street.
The Mellin family brought sheepdog displays and sheep shearing to the arena and rare breeds were shown by Gavin Howarth of the Jacob Sheep Society. The huge crowds that gathered around the arena for the sheep racing showed that people were delighted to see the sheep back in the town.
Skipton in Bloom
Skipton in Bloom has been supported again by the BID. Funding this year has allowed for the purchase of extra hanging baskets to give more visual displays around the Town and colour into areas previously not covered.
The display in the Bus Station is very impressive and has improved an area that benefits both visitors and locals.
Flock to Skipton
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Skipton BID is supporting ‘Flock to Skipton’ promoted by Skipton Town Council, which is a new large scale art event with a difference. Over 25 larger than life colourfully painted sculptures of ‘sheep’ are to be placed around the streets and landmarks, providing a trail for visitors to follow.
Each sheep will have been decorated by an artist and will be sponsored by businesses, societies and community groups. The event will be launched at ‘Art in the Pen’, which is held at the Auction Mart in August and the ‘sheep’ will be in place for three months, after which time they will be auctioned and the proceeds will be divided between the cost of a future event and local charities.
For more information and how to sponsor a ‘sheep’ please contact Brett Butler, Town Manager.
E-mail: townmanager@skiptontowncouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01756 794357
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Let It Grow
The BID has supported a totally new event in ' Let it Grow ' Skipton can now boast to being the first to launch such a gardening feature aimed at both the seasoned gardener to the complete novice.
This could prove to be another important annual occasion for the Town.
The main event will take place at the Skipton Auction Mart but will have various workshops around the Town.
Digital work will also be shown at the Craven College on the High Street.
A free shuttle bus service will be run from the Auction Mart on a Park and Ride basis ensuring visitors easy access to the Towns shops and attractions during the event.
Click here to view the complete "Let it Grow" leaflet
The Skipton Yuletide Festival
The Yuletide Festival and Christmas Market is important to businesses bringing many visitors to the Town.
Skipton BID has provided funding to maintain its position as a key annual event. Significant work is required over the coming years and the BID is working to provide it's financial stability.
Skipton Christmas Lights
Christmas lights are an important draw for visitors and for locals.
BID funding this year has expanded the Christmas lights into Newmarket Street, Swadford Street and Keighley Road.
This makes the approach into Skipton more attractive to visitors and increases footfall from the High Street into other areas of the Town.
Skipton Puppet Festival 2009
Skipton BID will be sponsoring the 3rd Skipton International Puppet Festival, which runs between the 25th and 27th of September 2009.
A fun and inspiring event for everyone, the Puppet Festival will suit all ages, tastes and budgets.
For more information about the Skipton Puppet Festival, please view their website.
Sheep Day - 5th July 2009
Skipton BID sponsored the return of the popular annual Sheep Day, which takes place on the first Sunday of July.
With a Farmer's market, new attractions, shows and stalls, the day was a huge success - and even Shaun the Sheep made an appearance!
Skipton in Bloom
For three consecutive years, Skipton has gained a Silver Award (Small Town Category) in recognition of all the hard work by local volunteers and sponsors who are committed to helping Skipton to bloom. Skipton returned to the Yorkshire in Bloom competition in 2005, and with Skipton BID sponsorship the initiative has gone from strength to strength.
FREE COURSES FOR SKIPTON BID LEVY PAYERS
The BID has provided 2 FREE training course to levy payers on Marketing and Customer Service. The courses were held at Tyro training and levy payers who attended the courses found them very informative. More FREE courses will be provided in the future.
We would like you to let us know your ideas for courses after all the BID is here to help YOUR business and SKIPTON flourish.
Please contact the office with your suggestions: skiptonbidltd@btinternet.com
