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Taunton Town
Centre Company - Progress Report 08
Taunton Town Centre Company (TTCCo) led the successful
campaign to become a Business Improvement District but
its role has always gone far beyond that…
Click here to view
the whole report (PDF)
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Huish Christmas Celebration
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Christmas Markets and Live Music Events in Taunton this week
This week from 9th to 14th December the Christmas Craft Fair returns for its 6th year to the Parade. This highly popular and successful Christmas Craft Fair returns for 5 days and is another excellent opportunity to purchase crafts and gifts made by local crafts people, some of which are members of the Exmoor producers. For those of you who have not yet visited the craft fair, you really must, as the craftsmen and women this year have really excelled themselves. There are ceramic creations by Rita Bennet, Contemporary glass from Blueberry Glass, Exmoor soap and hand creams, wooden gifts from Mel Hewitt, Jams and Marmalades from Brendon Hill Crafts and much, much more.
As well as this, the market is enhanced on Saturday 13th by the arrival of the wonderful Blackdown Hills market, offering their unique products from an area of outstanding natural beauty. From hand crafted Jewellery from creation silver, soaps from Arcana Pottery, and the lovely Tricky Cider to Gilly’s bakery who have already established a loyal following for their excellent breads, pastries and cakes.
These markets are an excellent opportunity for us all to support local businesses and buy local produce.
Thursday night is late night shopping and the Somerset Hills Chorus will be in the promotional space outside next, and the Phoenix Brass Band will be performing on the high street. There is of course also Santa’s Grotto in the Old Market Centre on each and every Thursday leading up to Christmas.
Don’t forget that there is the lovely craft market at the Brewhouse, the festive ice rink and of course the Cinderella show will add to the gorgeous Christmas atmosphere in Taunton.
And – on Monday 15th there is the Vivary Park Christmas Carol singing event followed on Tuesday by the Huish Christmas Celebration at St Mary’s!
further information contact Christina Dithmar via email on
christina@tauntontowncentre.co.uk
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Taunton Christmas Market
Taunton’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Market is based at The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, Coal Orchard, Taunton. The Market is open from the 3rd – 21st December, open Wednesday’s to Sundays 10am – 6pm and on Thursdays 12pm – 8pm.
The market will provide lots of festive ideas to fill those stockings, from local artists selling their affordable work to Christmas crafts to hang from your tree. After a long day shopping the market also provides suitable festive refreshments such as mulled wine and hot soup.
On Thursdays and Saturdays during the market enjoy the live performances from local young talents.
Contact Details –
Organiser: Emily Bull, 01823 273804 or email Emily.bull@thebrewhouse.net
Box Office: 01823 283244 or email boxoffice@thebrewhouse.net
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Events in the lead-up to Christmas in Taunton Town Centre
Christmas is just around the corner, and to continue the Christmas celebrations which began in magnificent fashion on Sunday 23rd November with the Christmas Lights being switched on by none other than Cinderella, the Taunton Town Centre Company has organised some sparkly and exciting live music events throughout the town on late night shopping Thursdays and weekends leading up to Christmas.
There will be live music from a huge selection of talented musicians and there will be a variety of performing artists adding to the festive, seasonal ambience of the town. Shops, Café’s and restaurants will be open until 9pm and music from the various artists will commence around 6.30pm. The Energize team will be setting up in Goodlands Gardens every Thursday with a selection of interesting activities for young people.
Christina Dithmar the Town Centre Events Manager, said:
“We are very excited to have such a wonderfully wide selection of activities, acts and performers joining us in the town centre to celebrate Christmas and to add to the seasonal atmosphere; St Andrew’s Primary School is playing and singing a selection of songs to start us off on 27th November. We have the Sweet Coppin dancers, a wonderful 4 part harmony group, some marvellous and talented violinists, and 2 fabulous choirs in ‘a Company of Voices’ and ‘the Somerset Hills Chorus’. Late night shopping also sees the return of the extremely entertaining Phoenix Brass Band, and we welcome as a first so far this year, the Wellington Silver Band, not forgetting our very favourite Blackdown Samba Band which never fails to entertain! I am personally delighted that Rosie May and Amy Wilson, a shiny and vibrant duet from Richard Huish, have agreed to perform every Thursday for late night shopping on the High Street. Taunton is brim full with musical talent both young and old which in itself is something to be celebrated!
And last but not least, we must not forget that Father Christmas flies into the Old Market Centre every Thursday leading up to Christmas.
Please see below for further information or contact Christina Dithmar via email on
christina@tauntontowncentre.co.uk
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Santa Stops
off in Taunton
Father Christmas brings presents and invites Somerset children to come and see him on Thursday the 27 November and then every Thursday late night shopping night up to Christmas at the Old Market Shopping Centre in Taunton.
Santa with his elves and fairies will be in residence in his grotto from 4.30pm – 7.30pm at the Old Market Shopping Centre, Taunton. Just follow the Santa trail as you come into the centre which is decked out with thousands of lights.
For a small donation Santa will give each child a lovely present, a cookie and hot berry drink, as well as having their faces painted. A special photo will also be taken of every child with Santa.
Santa is visiting Taunton to support local charity, Help a Somerset Child, which raises funds for disadvantaged children and helps to improve the lives of young people in Somerset. The money raised by Santa will be donated back as grants into the local communities of Somerset.
There will also be a magician, a Christmas wish tree as well as the ever popular Punch & Judy Show which starts around 7.30pm.
Helping Father Christmas as well will be the Thunders and Thunder crew who will be running a competition for you to have the chance of winning your ‘Christmas Lunch’.
There will be a magician performing tricks and balloon modelling throughout the evening and a Punch & Judy in the centre from around 7.30-8pm for half an hour.
Santa can only be found in the Old Market Shopping Centre and he will be flying in on November 27th, then the 4th, 11th and 18th December. For further details ring Clair Willsohn on 01823 326556.
Ends..
Further details from: Clair Willsohn, The Old Market Shopping Centre, Taunton.
01823 326556 or secretary@omc.eclipse.co.uk
Note: Help a Somerset child is the registered charity for Orchard FM which raises funds for disadvantaged children and helps to improve the lives of children in Somerset.
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Taunton is a
safe place to do business and to shop. That is the
official verdict of Action Against Business Crime when
it awarded the town The Safer Business Award.
Last week the
town centre security organisation, TRAC (Taunton
Retailers Against Crime) was assessed by AABC so see how
effective it is in combating and reducing business
crime in Taunton. Crimes include shoplifting, fraud,
antisocial behaviour, and mutual business support.
“The Safer
Business Award is backed by the Home Office. It is very
stringent and has taken many months for Taunton to
achieve. TRAC has an excellent record for reducing
crime in Taunton and is greatly appreciated and
respected by the Police as a key component in the
reduction and prevention of crime in Taunton. We are
very proud to have been part of the team that achieved
this accolade and endorsement for the town and we
congratulate Jason King the Co-ordinator and his
committee on this award” said Inspector Mike Ashwin.
Town Centre
manager Lucy Ball said “TRAC has been is existence for
over 10 years, it is a highly effective partnership
between the town’s retailers, the Police, Taunton Deane
Borough Council and the Town Centre Partnership. Through
its effective radio systems linked to CCTV and the
Police levels of crime have been reduced considerably,
and criminals know that if they to come to Taunton there
is a high risk that they will be arrested. Gaining this
certificate for the town is a great endorsement for what
TRAC has achieved, we need to expand and develop the
scheme from here to ensure that the whole town benefits
from this scheme and Taunton remains a safe and
attractive town to live work and do business.”
The assessor,
Richard Barron, commented ‘TRAC is a well structured
and disciplined partnership with extremely good
relationships with all key stake holders, particularly
the Police and Local Authority. TRAC will undoubtedly go
from strength to strength and take a pivotal role in
crime reduction in the County’
There
will be a presentation event later in the year to
celebrate this achievement
ENDS
Contact Lucy
Ball 01823 354299
Jason King
0781 2560907
Sgt N Frewin
01823 366000
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Big Name
Stores Give Taunton Thumbs Up (by Taunton Times)
Managers of some of
Taunton's larger stores are very positive about business
in the county town, it was revealed at a recent meeting.
Town centre manager Lucy Ball said:
"There was
air of optimism around at the managerial meeting of
Taunton's multiples.
"It seems that in spite of the gloom and despondency
that dominates the national media about High Street
spending, shops in Taunton are very positive about
business.
"Taunton, in the main, is trading at, or slightly above,
the levels of last year and in their regional groups
most stores are in the top five in trading activity.
What is apparent is that footfall appears to have fallen
a little year on year but spend per has increased.
"Confidence in Taunton as a vibrant town is reflected in
the levels of interest from businesses wishing to invest
or come into the town where there is a suitable site for
them.
"We welcome the recent arrival of Julian Graves in the
High Street, a new chocolate shop in St James Street and
the extensive refurbishment of Woolworths.
"The most noticeable changes are in Sunday and Bank
Holiday trading. All the stores reported strong
increases in Sunday trading, with most stores reporting
that Sunday is when more of the higher value items tend
to sell when both partners are available to make the
decisions.
"Free car parking and reduced traffic congestion are
also great incentives for shoppers to choose Taunton on
Sunday.
Taunton will of course be open for business on Bank
Holiday Monday in August, with more businesses opening
their doors to trade as more customers choose to spend
their time shopping here.
"Businesses are optimistic that this trend will continue
through the autumn and into the Christmas trading
period."
TRADERS in historic Bath Place have produced a leaflet
highlighting their individual shops in the pretty narrow
street. It also has a potted history of the area, which
was once believed to be the main route into Taunton
during the Middle Ages.
All the shops are privately owned, offering a personal
service and hope the leaflet, which will be widely
available throughout the area, and will be distributed
in the Taunton Times, will bring in more customers.
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Taunton Town
Centre Management Wins £2000 Sponsorship with Local
Company
Town Centre community values
informative and pictorial web site by local design
company ADK Ltd
 A
Taunton design company has compiled a World Wide Web
site that enables the residents, visitors and business
to discover more about Taunton Town Centre. The Taunton
Town Centre Company Ltd web site, found at
www.tauntontowncentre.co.uk provides more than 100 web
pages of Taunton shopping and entertainment, eating out
and accommodation as well as businesses information and
resources.
The site, described
as "informative", provides resources not only for
businesses on developments, (including statistics,
Taunton Vision, and news) but directs visitors to
numerous sites and resources that can further develop
their visit or stay to the town centre. “The
Entertainment section offers a great look in to
Taunton’s assets, facilities, architecture, heritage and
culture." said the site's creator, Andrew Knutt,
Director of ADK Ltd.
"It's a very well
designed and comprehensive site," said Lucy Ball,
manager of Taunton Town Centre. The site is designed to
offer greater breadth and scope than similar town centre
related sites on the Internet, Andrew said. "Unlike
other town centre sites that we researched, we will be
contributing much further to Taunton’s promotion and
services by offering the web site as a public
information centre for the town centre. This will
include a list of Taunton’s shops, the Partnership
Services and much more. The site doesn't just provide
links to other resources; it provides helpful content
and links to invaluable information for anyone visiting
or staying." Andrew noted that the web site will
frequently updated site by the Town Centre Management
themselves. This is possible through the training that
ADK Ltd provided to the management team as part of the
sponsorship, inclusive of full email integration and
administration.
Andrew explained
that a corporate theme for the website was considered
but it was felt that this did not reflect the diversity
of the many specialised shops in the town centre. "We
wanted the website design to be friendly and
approachable, giving a more casual, warm and welcoming
feel to those that visit and extend this feel throughout
the website content."
ADK
Ltd, a Taunton based company, completed photography for
the website and designed the new logo for the Taunton
Town Centre Company Ltd, which is to be launched at the
same time as the website. "We wanted to encapsulate a
cheerful feel to the logo while taking the principles of
Taunton being in a valley which is represented by hills.
The enlarged letter ‘O’ denotes Taunton’s central
location to the South West." Andrew said.
ADK Ltd, who
specialise in marketing and design, have already
sponsored local organizations in Taunton, Andrew Knutt,
Director said “Amid the usual mission statements of
quality of service and empowering businesses, ADK is
commitment to ‘getting Taunton online’. Through local
community and business projects within the Taunton area,
ADK Ltd intends to aid and encourage local businesses
and organizations to use technology such as computer
networks and Internet based websites. ADK Ltd achieves
this through a variety of schemes, promotions and
sponsorships within the geographical area of Taunton.
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