MARLOW CHAMBER OF TRADE & COMMERCE
Retailers Meeting Thursday 9th April 2009
The Garden room, Liston Hall – 6pm

Key points:

Q. Monthly parking fee to be negotiated for workers. Car park fees to be waived perhaps on Saturday or a Sunday for one day a month.
A. These are a cabinet member’s decision. The answer would most likely be that they will form part of the next off street review for off street conditions, which is due this year. Will let you know. Nothing as yet

Q. Change from pay and display system to a pay on foot/barrier style. A. This has been looked at but is quite expensive to install. Been put on hold at the moment. Will keep us updated. Secretary to progress

Q. More signage giving details of car parks
A. Street signage is not the remit of the District Council but of BCC. Would suggest a request be put forward from yourselves via Marlow Town Council. Secretary to send letter.

Q, Footfall in car parks.
A. Would as a one off get a member of staff to collate info. Standard minimum admin fee is £20 depending on length of time taken. Decision to be made at next meeting.

RENT & RATES
• At the last meeting it was agreed that retailers would join in a blog to share experiences. Success relies on information from retailers. Not a lot was forthcoming. Following the last meeting a retailer had negotiated a break in their lease.
• With regard to the rates meeting only 19 people attended and 11 of those were Executive members. The rates adviser at that meeting suggested it might be possible to join together to obtain a rate cut. He advised that no one should take on cowboys who were cold calling.

POSITIVE IDEAS
• ITV News had been followed up by Andy McCready and Tony Light but at that time they were not interested in coming back. Suggested we contact them again when green shoots were beginning to show.
• It was agreed that the appearance of empty shops needed to be addressed. Landlords should be written to asking that they keep their properties in good order. The Secretary and Adam Marlow would be having a meeting next Friday with BCC Arts Division to discuss the possibility of artwork being placed in shop windows, maybe through schools. Secretary and Adam to report back

• Tony Light reported that following a survey all but one shop agreed that Late Night Shopping should go ahead. It was also agreed that a summer event should take place. It was agreed that probably the weekend following the Regatta would be suitable.

• Rod Braybrooke suggested that a “scarecrow” day be advertised. A theme for these scarecrows could be agreed and each shop could display one and a competition could be arranged. This would encourage people to the town, if enough retailers participated and good advertising was carried out. It would encourage people to go to the shops and perhaps they could at the same time give a free gift, discount or something of that nature. Details of a very successful similar event would be given to Adam for information. Rod Braybrooke to give CD to Adam Marlow

• The Marlow Town Guide should be in existence shortly. Only 3 e-mails had been received with regard to the leaflet suggested at the last meeting. If shops did not contribute they would not be included. Possibility of Sainsburys sponsoring the leaflet.