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 Minutes of the North Laine Traders Association Summer Meeting
at MyHotel, Jubilee Street, 8th July 2008.
Sharon Thomas, Chair of NLTA welcomed 24 members and guests to our summer meeting at 6.15 and thanked MyHotel for their hospitality.
Apologies: David Lepper M.P., Pat Mernagh, Geoff Ellis, David Hall, Joyce Chester
Margret Monod and Huw Williams. |
Meetings attended
- London Rd master plan event at City College on 12th June.
- Southern Water / B & H council liaison meeting 27th June.
- Economic partnership event at the Metropole Hotel 1st July.
- North Laine Community Association web site launch 7th July.
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| Correspondence |
- We have been invited by Paul Levy to be a partner with CENTRIM (University of Brighton), in a proposed OPEL project. This project is designed to help older traders (55+) to ease into retirement or work less hours and diversify into different types of businesses. We will know the results of the funding application soon.
- We have received the June 2008 version of B & H council’s Core strategy development plan document. We have submitted our comments last year and most of these have been adopted within the new draft. Cllr Ian Davey explained to those present that this document formed “the blueprint for the city”.
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| Treasurers Report |
| David Hall was unable to attend and Sharon gave his report. We have £4826.39 in the account with liabilities of Visitmap, Shopping guide and competition costs. For the first six months of this year expenditure has been £915 including web site £520. Income has been £2117.50 and we have 99 members. |
| Newsletter |
We had a discussion about the merits of printed newsletters against e-newsletters. The outcome of the debate was to continue to produce a small A5 newsletter with an
e-newsletter on the net carrying more details and information. We will monitor how effective this is over the next six months. |
| Website |
| Sharon launched our website video competition. The idea is to ask for “two minute, youtube” style videos to show how vibrant and quirky the North Laine retail experience is. Entry will be free and members will be asked to vote for the best video by looking at the entries online and casting their vote. It was also suggested that the public could also be asked to participate and pick their favourite. Members present felt this would help to generate more traffic to the site. Sam, the business editor of the Argus has offered to help publicise the competition. We decided to offer a first prize of £250 with offers of additional prizes donated by NL businesses. |
| Web Stats |
1st Quarter 2008 = 74,152. 2nd Quarter 2008 = 89,992.
Monthly figures for the last three months – April = 29,130. May = 30,089. June = 30,773.
Our busiest week this year so far was June 8th with 7,541 hits. |
| City in Bloom |
Donna announced the winners of the North Laine competition that we will be putting forward to city wide competition.
- Best Hotel/B&B – MyHotel, Jubilee Street.
- Best Pub – White Rabbit, Kensington Gardens.
- Best shop – Dockerills, Church Street.
- Best Cafe – Iydea, Kensington Gardens.
An overall North Laine winner will be announced at the prize giving in September and awarded a North Laine Trophy. Peter asked for the lovely display of flowers in Belbourne Street to be mentioned and it was suggested that we ask if any hanging baskets could be provided for Gardner Street to give a similar appearance to Kensington Gardens. |
| A.O.B. |
- Peter reminded those present that the NLTA will be 20 years old next March and asked for suggestions for celebrations.
- Our present stock of letterheads is shortly to run out and we had a discussion on whether to adopt the logo from the 100% NL bag. It was agreed that it might be suitable with some small changes. Using the header bar from the website was also suggested so Peter will bring revised artwork back to the next street reps meeting.
- NL traders are invited to a free Start up event at Hove town hall on 20th September. More information at www.hovebusinessassociation.co.uk
- Traders were invited to take part in one day Media/PR course run by the Triminghams on Thursday 11th September at the Argus. Cost would be £200 for the day including lunch. More details – www.journalistworks.co.uk
- 100% North Laine bags – Eddie reminded those present that we still had a few left to purchase. Eddie can be contacted on 600897.
- Two members wanted help from NLTA about the BID. Bills have been received for this year’s BID, (£300), and many NLTA members in the BID area are unhappy at the transparency of how the money is spent. They also complained about a lack of communication from the board and asked the NLTA to find out when the BID AGM is due so they can attend. Members mentioned the Christmas lights being good and also the security working well but could not see much evidence of any promotional or PR work. Sharon to liaise.
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| The meeting finished at 7.40 when Sharon thanked members for attending |
