Wheathampstead Business News
Updated January 12th, 2012
WEB is organising a major event on Sunday, 10 June 2012 at which businesses will be able to promote themselves to consumers from around Hertfordshire. This follows the successful Business to Business Fair that we organised in January. The object of the June event is to give sponsors and exhibitors a unique opportunity to gain access to the affluent customer base that lives in and around the county.
WEB will be actively marketing the event, through for example St Albans Chamber of Commerce, local business clubs, posters, etc. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to the Fair to win the prize of a trip on the luxury Rovos Rail Train (worth £2,000). We estimate that around 2,000 members of the public are likely to attend.
The event will be held in the grounds behind the Memorial Hall in Marford Road. There will be several marquees, each containing about 10 tables at which businesses can promote their products and services to members of the public. The standard cost of hiring a table will be £200, but a special discounted rate of £55 per table will be available to WEB members.
There will be a theme to the event, which is world travel to destinations such as Africa. The businesses that exhibit will therefore include a number that are associated with the travel industry or with the featured countries and continents. However, when it comes to businesses in Wheathampstead, this is an opportunity for all WEB members whose customer base includes consumers – whether or not they have links with the travel industry.
We very much hope that all WEB members will participate if their business would benefit from being promoted to 2,000 members of the public at the Fair.
If you are interested in hiring a table or would like to know more, please get in touch with Claire Farley: claire@2by2holidays.co.uk
Updated August 19th, 2010
High Street News
The High Street has been under pressure this summer with a number of roadworks causing problems. These will all lead to big improvements allowing the Tesco development to happen, the installation of a splendid new village sign and the replacement of old street furniture at the Cory-Wright and Station Road roundabout.
The village has also benefitted from new retail outlets including a revamped Fish & Chip shop, PC repair and advice business, and the WI shop (as part of their Hertfordshire headquarters newly relocated here). It can’t be long before the Brewhouse Gallery is snapped up. For prospective buyers, this is located in a prime site right in the village centre, directly opposite Tesco. See www.wheathampsteadpropertyforsale.co.uk .
Business Events
WEB’s first Business-to-Consumer event was held during Village Day and was a great success. A Business-to-Business Fair is planned for this autumn so watch this space!
If you run a local business, please check your entry on our database. Let us know if there are inaccuracies as we will be publishing the 2011 hard copy directory later in the year.
Updated November 25th, 2009
First Edition of Village Business Directory
The first edition of Window on Wheathampstead (WOW) is nearly ready to go to the printers. We anticipate it will be distributed to all households before the New Year. As well as listing every business in Wheathampstead (see our online business database on this site) it will also have local clubs, community groups and emergency telephone numbers. Unlike other directories, it will not be crammed with advertising and will be specific to Wheathampstead. We will be encouraging residents to keep this directory and to use it before all others.
Increasing Footfall for High Street Businesses
There are several projects currently underway to help increase footfall in the villiage. The Heritage Trail (see below) is well advanced and the first plaques should be installed shortly. The discovery of the old station platform will be added to the trail and formally opened next year. We are hoping that it will attract railway enthusiasts and, with its links to George Bernard Shaw, also attract visitors who visit Shaw’s Corner to come to the village. The site can also be used by individual groups for specific events such as open air exhibitions.
WEB in partnership with the Parish and District Councils are also bidding for funds from the Hertforshire Works Partnership (Vibrant Towns) to install an outdoor gym close to the High Street. We are submitting a bid this month and, if successful, the equipment should be installed by the spring. Visitors wishing to use the gym will have to walk through the High Street from the car park in order to gain access.
Update 19th October, 2009
WEB Secures Funding for Heritage Trail
In cooperation with the Parish Council, WEB has secured over £4,500 funding for the first phase of our village Heritage Trail. We are planning to have high quality plaques made and mounted near or on sites of historic and general interest in the village centre. The goal is to increase footfall in the High Street by attracting both residents and visitors. We will be advertising the trail widely including at the St Albans Tourist Office.
Update 30th July, 2009
New WEB Chair
Sally Wells of Kids2Work is the new leader of WEB. Sally specialises in helping young people into the right jobs. She is on sallywells@kids2work.co.uk
Updated 16th July, 2009
Heartwood Forest
The Woodland Trust gave a fascinating insight to the development of the wood at our last monthly meeting. The message is loud and clear - there is a real opportunity for High Street businesses to benefit.
The facts are:
- A significant increase in visitors to the area, mainly walkers, has already been seen. By 2020 the numbers are expected to exceed 100,000.
- The Woodland Trust is to provide no visitor centres, cafes, etc, and will rely on local businesses to provide the services visitors need.
- Planting starts this autumn/winter and will attract additional visitors.
Don’t miss out. Enterprising pubs in Sandridge have already started to take advantage of the increased footfall offering charged parking which is refunded when the visitor buys food and drink on the premises.
Businesses can contact Woodland Trust to find ways in which Woodland Trust can point visitors in their direction (e.g. mention on Woodland trust maps and leaflets). Their contact details are:
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/heartwood
heartwood@woodlandtrust.org.uk
01476 581111
Business Breakfasts
Our informal Business Breakfasts are proving to be a useful way of getting new contracts. Already a number of attendees have reported closing new deals through contacts made at these informal events. The next breakfast is on Friday August 26 at 8:00 am at the Hillside reataurant in the High Street. £5 includes bacon rolls, pastries tea & coffee.
Tesco
Tesco is still hoping to open this year. Planning permission has been approved for the loading bay and it is now a case of scheduling the work. Tesco are also looking at rear access to the premises so that customers can make direct use of the East Lane Car Park. WEB is lobbying the Parish Council who, in turn, are lobbying the District Council to extend that car park. This is essential to prevent more unwelcome parking in the High Street.
Restaurants
The two new food establishments are now up-and-running and seem to be very popular. Along with the florist they have made a significant improvement to the look of the High Street and should encourage other potential businesses to fill the remaining two shops.
Harpenden Business Directory
We’ve circulated details of how Wheathampstead businesses can get a free listing in the directory being sponsored by Harpenden Town Council. Don’t forget to register!