Bedford business is booming with more job vacancies than applicants.
Blue Arrow boss Michael Green, a volunteer Business Improvement District (BID) Board member, told guests at the quarterly breakfast they had part-time and temporary vacancies to fill.
“We need people to apply, we have plenty of posts to fill,” told the room at The Bedford Swan Hotel.
The event was hosted by the BID’s Love Bedford team for business in the town centre which are part of the business improvement district.
Glenn Barcham, Assistant Director (Highways) at Bedford Borough Council was the expert speaker on the subject of street lighting and the promise of better quality lighting for lower maintenance costs. The annual electric bill for street lighting for the borough is £630,000, which could be cut by £228,000 thanks to a major Government grant towards a new system. He said the borough has more complaints and requests relating to street lighting than it did for potholes. It is an important issue across communities – including the town centre businesses.
Glenn also went on to explain about the progress of the East West Rail project and how it could impact on Bedford. He also talked about major road improvements including those on the A1. His information presentation was applauded by the business guests.
Vice Chair of BedfordBID Kerry Cash of 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty led the cheerleading for the town centre with reports on the successes in terms of footfall and new business resulting from events supported or sponsored by the BID over the summer. She pointed to the success of the “big hitter” Love Bedford website which was now the “go to” on-line hub for information about What’s On in Bedford. This and social media backed up the widespread advertising by Love Bedford inviting people to visit the town centre.
Marks & Spencer reported on the Healthy High Street project they are championing in many towns to show how the “big boys” can share their expertise with independents. In the audience were the new team from favourite local independents Goldings, the ironmongers which dates back more than 100 years. They announced that for the first time in their history they would be opening on the AFTERNOON of Thursday November 26th for the Christmas Lights Switch-on. Goldings is the last remaining shop in Bedford to adhere to the old fashioned “half-day closing” on Thursdays. (This delighted Mary Portas Queen of Shops when she went walk-about in Bedford in 2013)