Businesses say yes to management plan (From Gazette & Herald)

Businesses say yes to management plan

MORE than 100 businesses are supporting the creation of a new management body for two Ryedale market towns to co-ordinate marketing, provide a voice for the trade community and promote social and economic vitality.

Under the working title of Backing Business, Malton and Norton town centre management has put together a proposal for a new organisation that moves beyond its current town centre remit to include all businesses operating in the twin towns, to be launched at the end of the month.

"It is our aim to improve the vitality and viability of Malton and Norton with the support of the community and the commercial interests in the towns," said town centre manager Peter Mudge.

"We aim to establish a dynamic structure providing a succession to the work of the Malton and Norton town centre project when funding ends this year."

Current town centre management was established through funding from Malton and Norton Area Partnership, The Countryside Agency and Ryedale District Council, while half of the money to pay for events and marketing was provided by Yorkshire Forward. The Fitzwilliam Estate paid £5,000 annually. The remaining cash for events was provided by local businesses, Arts Council England and Arts and Business. This three-year funding ends in July.

Salaries, office costs and insurance is to be paid for by £45,000 gathered from local businesses.

Contributions will be based on rateable value, but on average it will be about £120 a year. It is proposed that marketing costs will be met by grants from the district council and the Fitzwilliam Estate, Christmas lights would be funded by town council and other bodies, and events will be paid for by sponsors and organisations.

"In a survey of 30 businesses in August, 75pc said trade had noticeably risen compared with previous years," said Mr Mudge. "Town management has encouraged more than £100,000 of new money to be invested in new ways of helping the towns."

Plans include expanding the marketing and publicity of the towns, creating and maintaining a strong voice for local businesses, staging attractions, visits and events to widen the towns' appeal and ensuring retailers' concerns are followed up.

The organisation will merge with Malton and Norton Chamber of Trade and work with the Licensed Victuallers' Association.

A further 130 businesses are considering investing in the scheme and seven have declined.

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, June 23, 2004