Bill Moss Town Centre Manager Twelve years retail with John Lewis Partnership Three years retail with House of Fraser Twenty years with Kent Messenger Group Ten years as Town Centre Manager

Maidstone…the facts Kent’s County Town Biggest shopping centre in Kent..125m sq ft Biggest night economy in Kent…420,000 sq ft Biggest retail spend (ex Bluewater) in Kent

Maidstone…the facts 2011 footfall increase of 2.45% Empty shop rate of 10% 667 “face to face“ town centre businesses 1,500 people employed in night economy Night economy spend of £65m pa 3,500 meals served in the town centre on a typical Saturday

About town centre management Started in 1992 as a council appointment 1998 TCM became a Limited Company Chairman and Board. Town Centre Manager reports to the board Sub Groups: Business Forum, Marketing Group, Night Economy Forum, Stakeholders Group, Independent Traders Active Members of LSP, CDRP and Fairtrade Group We try to punch above our weight

Marketing Make your organisation appear bigger than it is Become invaluable in your own area Be the first name on the invite list Be available to people Give opinions-don’t be afraid

Marketing Adopt a personal high profile Try to be in your local paper every week Go to as many groups and comittees as possible Speak at Rotary, WI’s, Chamber of Commerce etc Become well known - become invaluable

Marketing Get your message across by using all or some of the following Local media- newspapers, radio, TV, Facebook, Twitter Events in your town or local area Face to face …go and see people Newsletter Your own publications Website…but don’t expect lots of visitors!

Marketing Be available for quotes Get to know local journalists Always say YES to requests for interviews (take training courses if necessary) Give local press tip-offs and stories Trust your local people---they will want to come back

Marketing Treat journalists and sales people differently Don’t always insist on speaking with “the editor”. They have lots of other things to do. Don’t rely on press releases. Never underestimate the power of a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit

Image

Marketing Create a corporate image and keep to it Professionalism