As we are about to welcome our colleagues and customers back to Twickenham Town Centre, Discover Twickenham is working to help create a safe, secure, and sustainable re-opening and recovery period.
Our response to the crisis:
Throughout lockdown, we continued our business support and guidance.
TwickTraders
Discover Twickenham BID has set up TwickTraders; a free online trading platform for local businesses to sell to neighbouring residents. The TwickTraders project builds on experience drawn from a pilot launched in the run up to Christmas 2019. The pilot included around a dozen businesses in Twickenham and the platform provided a one-stop shop for local retailers, emulating the Amazon multi-retailer marketplace.
TwickTraders is now an immediate response to C-19 and is running a low-key launch with a small number of traders. Many businesses in Twickenham have an online-operation and home delivery service. Some of which may have been affected by C19 as their doors have been closed to the public. This platform is here to help any businesses that is based in and around Twickenham High Street, that can deliver their goods locally. If you would like some more information of how to get involved, please contact the manager for Discover Twickenham BID, Natasha:
Driving the right footfall
Having postponed all BID events for the near future, we have set our sights on driving footfall back to our businesses. Our plans are now focused on driving footfall across the town centre without any large gatherings and in line with government guidelines.
During the lockdown, we have been working with TW Magazine to promote businesses and offer free listings in the magazine. We have also been promoting our businesses through our social media channels. We will continue to encourage residents to shop local while the high street is in the process of re-opening.
We are constantly working with Richmond Borough Council to assist in making sure our consumers, residents and workers journey into the town centre is the safest and most affordable it can be.
Understanding and using data
Through observing our members re-opening plans, we can understand trends that occur across sectors and locations through the town centre. We are using this data to forecast challenges and opportunities that will arise.
We are closely monitoring European towns and city trends to see how their reopening plans were implemented and effectively developed. By doing so, we can adopt a variety of tried and tested practices for the town centre.
Government and Industry guidelines on operating safely
Government advice and support
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Richmond Borough Council
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/shops-and-branches
MIND support
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/
British Retail Consortium guidance
https://brc.org.uk/news/corporate-affairs/social-distancing-in-retailstores-and-warehouses/
Federation of Small Businesses
https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
Institute of Hospitality
https://www.instituteofhospitality.org/guidance-and-support-duringthe-coronavirus-crisis/