Minutes of South Southwark Business Association Meeting 22nd July 2013

South Southwark Business Association

Meeting about Christmas Cracker 2013

Monday 22 July, 9am, House of Tippler

Present:          Lawrence White, Roullier White

                        Mathieu Perrin, Roullier White

                        Ray Murphy, Roullier White

                        Tim Oakley, House of Tippler

                        John Benton, Senior Events Officer, Southwark Council

                        Helen Cundy, Events Development Officer, Southwark Council

Following very positive feedback after last year’s Christmas Cracker event, Southwark Council would like to stage the event again this year and are keen to work with SSBA to make this happen.  There is funding for this year’s event, but there needs to be buy in from the local business community, and as there is no guarantee of funding beyond this year, the aspiration is that the delivery of the event could be taken on by SSBA in the future if there is a desire to continue it.

Christmas Cracker 2012

Last year’s event consisted of:

·  Stage on North Cross Road with a programme of local musicians, dancers etc

·  Satellite stage outside the carpet shop (small PA), mostly acoustic, small groups

·  Professional walkabout performers (stiltwalker and man in Christmas present) on Lordship Lane

·  Shops offering refreshments, mince pies, discounts, promotions etc

·  Father Christmas at The Little Clipper

·  Crafts market at Push Studios

·  Reindeer trail for children in 9 shops with donated prizes

The event ran from 10.30am – 4.30pm on Saturday 1 December 2012.

Feedback was that the shops further up Lordship Lane (near the police station) were left out. Otherwise the general feedback had been that it had caused a buzz in the area and there was a good atmosphere.

JB explained that the events team would like to have the stage in North Cross Road again and would like to present more performances on Lordship Lane, possibly more groups of singers or other mobile groups performing in more places inside and outside shops along Lordship Lane from Goose Green to the police station. There could be a carol singing flashmob. TO suggested a group called The Buzztones who may be interested in performing.

Last year coincidentally the event was on the same day as a craft market at Push Studios, and although this was discovered too late to be advertised on print, the events were co-promoted online. HC will find out if this is planned for this year [action].

The suggested date for this year’s event is Saturday 7 December.

In terms of businesses getting involved, LW suggested the idea of shops trading on their forecourts, there had been issues with this in the past. JB will investigate this with Council staff [action].

LW also suggested that shops work in partnership with bars, offering promotions eg If a customer spends £20 they get a free drink at a particular bar. Or if they buy a meal worth £20 they get a 10% off voucher in a particular shop.

TO suggested a “mulled wine-off” where members of the public judge different bars’ mulled wine.

SSBA were successful in a grant application to Southwark Council’s Cleaner, Greener, Safer fund and have received £10K to put up solar powered lights in the trees along Lordship Lane. There are some changes being made in August, so LW will know more after that. Could it be a possibility that these are ready/switched on that day?

LW asked if it was possible to put a Christmas tree on the roundabout at Goose Green. JB will investigate [action].

TO suggested that the new market on Pellatt Road may be interested in opening for the event (usually operate on Fridays).

TO asked if the event went on into the evening. JB said that it wouldn’t for outdoor performances but that if bars/pubs etc wanted to put events on, these could be advertised for the event.

Marketing

It would be beneficial to all work together to promote the event. Southwark will use social media more and by all linking up, everyone can promote each other. LW suggested a countdown for the 2 weeks before the event.

LW asked if it would be possible to push the “Shop Local” brand to try to encourage people to support local businesses.  HC to find out whether the Council is planning any shop local campaigns for this Christmas [action].

LW suggested stickers with the East Dulwich Christmas Cracker logo could be produced and shopkeepers could stick them on bags. LW also suggested handing out printed helium balloons.

LW asked if a banner could be put across Lordship Lane to advertise the event and define the area. JB to investigate [action].

Next Steps

Although it is holiday time now, LW thinks it is better to start speaking to businesses soon.  The minutes will be circulated and local businesses invited to contact HC with ideas. HC will start contacting local shops and businesses in August [action].