Object
Southend Central Area Action Plan (SCAAP) - Revised Proposed Submission 2016
Representation ID: 2887
Received: 16/12/2016
Respondent: Southend BID
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? No
Tourism contributes significantly to the economy of Southend and particularly the central area. The businesses located in this sector feel that the scaap document has very little meaningful substance in terms or a strategic approach to tourism. The document fails to understand the drivers behind tourism and the attractions, facilities and infrastructure that is needed to grow tourism within the scaap area. The dpd in effect neglects the day visitor to the area for a desire to attract longer stay visitors. It is important to try to encourage visitors to stay for longer but this should not be at the expense of the vast amount of day visitors which form the bulk of the industry's customer base.
We attach representation form re the SCAAP. The enclosed form is submitted by us as members of Southend BID whose details and address are included in Part A of the form. However all communications should be with or sent to us at the telephone numbers and email addresses shown in Part A or by post to:
Paul Thompson, Alan Bacon
This representation is made on behalf of members of The Southend BID. The BID is comprised of 378 levy paying members which comprises a wide range of businesses in sectors including retail, tourism, education and office based professional services to name a few. The BID zone in broad terms is made up of businesses within the High Street and its surrounding side streets together with the main tourist part of the seafront. The BID zone falls within the Southend Central Area and thus its members make up the majority of businesses within the SCAAP area. The BID was established 4 years ago following a ballot of the 378 businesses that now comprise the levy payers.
Through the BID a number of representations have been made following the BID's own consultation on a range of issues. The BID appointed SK Architects Ltd to make a formal representation as part of an earlier consultation by Southend Council on its SCAAP. SK Architects attended the council's consultation workshop and as the 2 sessions were poorly advertised the attendance by businesses was low. SK Architects then undertook its own consultation on behalf of the BID and produced a consultation form based on the key themes and opportunity sites highlighted in the SCAAP. The consultation responses helped form the 35 page document that SK prepared and which the BID submitted to SBC in February as it's formal representation to the SCAAP. (submission document attached)
Following on from the publication of the final version of the SCAAP the BID board of directors decided that certain parts of it's representation had been ignored by SBC and feel that sections of the dpd would threaten the economic viability of businesses within the scaap area. It was agreed by the board to make this further formal representation to the public consultation process prior to the oral examination with the government inspector.