Scotland loves local week:
This years Scotland loves local week takes place from 26th August, and once again we’re getting involved in this national campaign through TikTok promotional videos and a Scotland loves local market on the 31st August. Here’s how you can get involved! Reach us at info@hamiltonbid.org
- Feature on our TikTok campaign: Tell is if you would like to feature in a promotional Tiktok celebrating your business as part of Scotland loves local week?
- Trade / exhibit at the market: We’re back indoors in the Regent Centre on the 31st August with the market. Tell us if you would like a table, leaflet or to carry out some other engagement activity. Did you know that on average around 6,000+ visitors pass through each of our indoor markets, attracting around 1.8k+ additional visitors per date? (information kindly provided by the Regent Centre). Year to date our event & market activity has attracted an estimated 20k visitors. BID businesses feature at no cost.
We continue to promote Hamilton Town centre activities through Hamilton People Magazine, and in the latest edition we promote Scotland Loves Local week alongside profiles on some of our fantastic town centre businesses.
If you would like to feature your business in upcoming publications, get in touch at info@hamiltonbid.org
New Businesses / investment:
We are delighted to see new investment over the past few months in the town from local business owners and we welcome them to the area. These include…
- Bombay Palace on Quarry Street – Now open
- Celestial Tattoo on Castle Street – Now open
- Get the Gloss on Castle Street – Now Open
- Hidden Bar on Keith Street – Now Open
- Amor Bridal Alterations on Cadzow Street – Now open
- Thistle Credit Union on Quarry Street – Opening soon
- And the purchase and development in progress of the former Inkspot building on Castle Street. Units available soon.
Footfall / Quarry Street parking:
This year we have access to additional footfall information, supplied by Place Informatics, to support the analysis of town centre activity. As you will be aware, this year we have been instrumental in gaining the opening of Quarry Street to vehicles and the provision of 30-minute free parking on the street, including bays on Cadzow Street and Townhead Street. As per previous mailshots, we are now pleased to see that markings on the road and signage are now in place following our feedback, alongside others. So far this year Quarry Street as seen an 8.3% increase in footfall year on year.
The Business Improvement District has recorded a 2.1% increase in footfall year to date versus 2023 in spite of a challenging summer so far in terms of weather..(Information from Place Informatics). Indications are that the trial has been a success in terms of footfall and access. In addition, across the area, data indicates that dwell time has increased year to date by 18% versus last year, indicating visitors are using the town centre facilities for increased periods than before.
As the project is a trial, we are keen to gain insights into any commercial and community benefit this trial has made so far. All of this information supports recommendations for any next steps / extensions to the trial. (if any). Please fill out this short form with your feedback https://forms.gle/dHQTWDGWvEhPK7qP7