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].