Our latest round of research with members took place in June and July this year, and was carried out by the research agency Research by Design, by online survey and face to face interviews.
All members were invited via email or face to face, and 21% responded, from a range of sectors, business size and type. Thank you very much to those of you that took the time to respond!
We were looking to:
- Ascertain members’ concerns for the future
- Measure satisfaction with the support we are providing and
- Assess members’ response to our consumer marketing
Many members had concerns for their business in the next six months, with two fifths concerned about staff recruitment, and more than a quarter concerned about staff retention. A quarter were also concerned about safety and security in the town centre.
We were so pleased to see that the majority of members were satisfied with the support we provided in the last six months, in particular with the updates on the town centre provided in the newsletter, Christmas campaign, free recycling and Keep it Kingston app.
The top areas of support that you are looking for are areas that we are already heavily concentrating on.
- Marketing campaigns to improve awareness and footfall in the town centre: We launched a new brand for Kingston Upon Thames in April 22, which has received very positive feedback from members and consumers, and are building on this strong foundation through integrated marketing campaigns, including Make it a Kingston Christmas, Thumbs Up Its Thursday, and a strong focus on social media. Look out for the Chimp Trail in January, and the Light Event in Autumn, two big additional events to drive footfall to the town.
- Support promoting your business service online: We deliver webinars on promoting your business online (find the next session here), and use our consumer marketing channels (@inkingston) to promote our members, so make sure you send us all your news, events and offers to share with visitors and locals.
- Opportunities to get involved with community initiatives: We share information about local events and initiatives in our bi-weekly newsletter, and organise networking events and panel talks so that you can meet your fellow businesses and strengthen the business community.
- More initiatives to improve the look and feel of streets: We are working on a Town Centre Vision in partnership with the council to define the longer term future, but also doing independent research to explore the barriers to setting up business in Kingston as part of our project to address vacant units in the town centre. Our project to improve Eagle Brewery Wharf
- More activities to help with town centre cleanliness and greenery: From our plans to increase the number of deep cleans we do, free recycling, floral displays and town dressing, to our Social Spaces and Happy Spaces projects to bring greening and pedestrianised zones to the town centre, we are committed to improving the experience of Kingston. In addition, we are developing a Cleaning Strategy in partnership with RBK, an annual programme of cleaning with defined Service Standards, and extra operational support.
We are also aware that, since the research was conducted, concerns around the cost of doing business have increased. We are currently doing a review of services to help provide cost savings to members.
Email emma.norman@kingstonfirst.co.uk, if you have any questions or comments.
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