Andrew Lund Yates kicked off the meeting by welcoming David and Ben Wilson from Fir Farm, and Graham from North Cotswold Rotary, who would be given the floor later in the discussions.
Business Update
Following the results of the recent BBN survey it is useful to gauge how those gathered feel their own businesses will fair over the next six months. It was clear that energy costs are of grave concern, with expected increases of 400% being reported. HospitalityUK are reporting concerns that around 30% of hospitality business face closure or hibernation in the next few months – if that transpires, up to 8 businesses could close in Bourton! There are signs that some trade is dipping because of the naturally quieter time of the year, and also people starting to feel the restrictions of their own higher energy and food costs limiting their trips out for socializing and shopping. However, there was a positive recognition that Bourton-on-the-Water is well placed to overcome some of these expected shortfalls, because the international tourists are still coming, and in increasing numbers from Asia. Their spending power is improving because of currency movements and their buying decisions are heavily influenced by the fact that they are on vacation, and willing to spend well.
To attract more local custom, it was suggested that there needed to be a more coordinated approach to outlying villages to promote more of what Bourton has to offer from both a retail and hospitality and leisure perspective. It is clear that as a group there would be benefit from having a collective marketing approach and the VIC /BotW website could do with some revamping to assist with this. There was also a suggestion that a simple flier delivered to local GL54 households (around 6000) could be useful and it was agreed to set up a small working group via BBN to coordinate a double pronged approach.
Coach Park Update
After the last BBN meeting in August, there was a meeting with CDC, various other stakeholders including GCC Highways, Local Police, Parish Council, as well as representatives from BBN, but sadly not the directors of Bourton Vale Parking… BBN expressed grave concern that any loss of a coach parking facility would be of huge detriment to many businesses in the town and urged CDC to lead in providing an alternative should the closure go ahead. They have long been subsidizing the coach park bays, and it was the withdrawal of this subsidy 12 months ago which prompted BVCP to decide to end provision of this facility, coupled with the downturn in coach visits. A business decision that is fully respected by BBN. Alternatives have been and continue to be researched, and several have already been discounted. Temporary provision could be provided in CDC’s own car park on Rissington Road, although we sensed there was a reluctance to restrict income from that car park by removing car parking bays. Exploratory talks are taking place with the school, although if this was to prove to be a viable alternative site, realistically we are looking at several years before that could come to fruition. CDC are seemingly willing to act as facilitators in the process, but not necessarily providing a solution.
Bob Hadley, Andrew Lund-Yates, and JohnMcCabe met with the directors of BVCP a few days after this meeting to express the views of BBN that their decision would have a negative impact on business in the village, and they explained that their decision was financially driven and not intended to impact negatively on the businesses although they accepted this was an unintended consequence. They are willing to work with business to come to a sustainable solution and admitted that if there was a target date to which everyone could work they would be minded to postpone their closure date. Closure signs have now been removed from the car park.
There was a further meeting with BVCP, Parish Council and CDC and BVCP have agreed to postpone their closure date to 31/12/2023, which is hugely appreciated by BBN, particularly as it appears that the Asian tour market in 2023 is going to be extremely busy with three years pent up demand for travel to the UK.
There is a meeting scheduled for 8th December 2022 with CDC hosting to discuss progress on alternative provision, and it is very important that this is not the start of a can-kicking exercise, because we only have 12 months to provide a solution!
It was suggested that an email be sent to BVCP from BBN expressing gratitude for their consideration, and an undertaking that BBN is working with the relevant agencies to help provide an alternative solution.
Fir Farm
David and Ben Wilson explained their set up as Dairy Farmers in Lower Swell. They currently produce milk from a grass-fed dairy herd which they sell via a dispenser at the farm gate. They are interested to expand that operation and consider Bourton as a next step in providing fresh non-homogenised milk to the local community nth domestically and commercially. The outlet for product is seemingly limited to the vending dispense model, which may not currently suit all businesses, but the product is definitely a winner, and would be such as a story to sell to consumers.
Their vision is to have a community ‘shed’ type of structure which could house a milk vending machine along with other vended product such as local honey etc. Businesses could access these hubs with discounted rates for milk dispense/card payments. It was agreed to try and establish via BBN the sort of throughput collectively which businesses in the village might be interested in purchasing from Fir Farm and to get a small working group together to explore further with David and Ben.
Rotary
Graham from North Cotswold Rotary explained their current focus as a fund-raising charity organization. They are currently working to provide practical support to vulnerable families and individuals in the North Cotswold area, by way of ‘Essentials’ parcels, providing toiletries, sleepwear and various necessities. Support is required from businesses in terms of volunteers to assist with packing items, and financial support in terms of funding to buy provisions, or actually gifting products which may be of use. Rotary also support food banks with provision of food items, again, business support in this area would be most helpful. Contact for anyone who might be in a position to help is peterdboxhall@gmail.com Peter is Secretary of North Cotswold Rotary
Meeting closed with a suggestion that the next meeting be held in early January to discuss progress on the latest with the coach parking situation, and if anyone has an idea for topic discussion whether that be sales ideas, training, finance, business support, do let Jon know and we can look to get relevant presenters to attend the next meeting. It was felt a 9.00am-10.00am stint is about right, but happy to change that if anyone has strong views otherwise.