Biggleswade Business Community launches to support local traders and promote town centre

Its first meeting was held yesterday evening (May 19).
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Biggleswade Business Community (BBC) held its first meeting yesterday evening (May 19) as the team discussed how to help local entrepreneurs and promote the town centre.

The group was launched by Val Gascoyne founder of 'Your Office, Biggleswade', and aims to unite the community as lockdown eases and the shops open back up again.

Val now wishes to spread the word about Biggleswade Business Community, and hopes that more companies will join as they hear about the opportunity.

The first meeting of Biggleswade Business Community.The first meeting of Biggleswade Business Community.
The first meeting of Biggleswade Business Community.

Val told the Chronicle: "We had a successful meeting with attendees from Your Office, Vintage Avenue and VA Barbers, Red Kite Art and Framing, Seasons Kitchen, Garden House Hospice and Sweet Alley, as well as Biggleswade Town Councillor Mark Knight and Central Bedfordshire Councillor, Dr Hayley Whitaker.

"Topics discussed were welcome packs to new home owners via estate agents, a treasure trail/loyalty programme, Biggleswade in Bloom, targeting the right groups and using different methods to get the message out.

"Local publication Raring2Go has offered to run a Spotlight on Biggleswade in it’s summer issue, which had interest from those present, and the local councillors may be able to provide support with a grant aimed at kickstarting towns again, as well as providing approval for individual items to enable some immediate actions to start.

"There was a lot of interest to hold events in the market place such as open air cinemas, tractor days and other events to bring families into town although these won’t be quick wins. We will be meeting every month to keep the momentum going."

Val recently opened her new hot desking facility, 'Your Office, Biggleswade', in the town and felt that more could be done to connect local businesses.

After an unofficial meeting with around four entrepreneurs, they were inspired to move the idea forward, and Biggleswade Business Community was born.

Encouraging readers to support local businesses, Val added: "The old saying is 'use it or lose it'. There are so many small, independents that make Biggleswade a quirky town. Just come and look round!"

Contact Val via: [email protected]