TGt Meets... Louise Prynne

Describe your job role

 

I am Chief Executive of the Bath Business Improvement District (BID) Company. I work on behalf of over 650 businesses in the centre of Bath, delivering a programme of city management, business savings, and promotional activity to enable businesses in Bath to succeed.

 

In October 2015, businesses voted for the BID Company to continue for a second, five year term that will run until April 2021. Joining in January, I and am working to build on the great achievements of the first five years and continue developing new ways of working with the business community, B&NES Council and key partners within the wider West of England Region to ensure Bath flourishes as a key business destination.

 

(The BID is funded by a levy of 1% on the business rates of all businesses in the Bath BID area which have a rateable value of over £25,000 pa. The Bath BID Company is an independent not for profit company)

 

Why do you think it is important to have a month celebrating Bath’s Independent Retailers?

 

It is very important to recognise and value the entrepreneurial spirit and individuality which independent businesses bring to the retail and leisure industry in Bath. They are the essence of what makes Bath a distinctive city for living, working and visiting.

 

Not only this, but research highlights that for every £1 spent with a small or medium sized business, 63p of this stays in the local economy. Also, according to an American Express High Streets Ahead study, houses near town centres full of prospering small traders rise in value 17% higher than in comparable areas with proportionally fewer independent traders. So the value of independents to the city goes further than simply making Bath and attractive place to visit.

 

The BID is getting behind Independent Retailer Month in July to promote the wonderful range of individual independent shops, bars and restaurants in the city and encourage residents to champion their favourites, and encourage visitors to discover the individuality and personality of ‘shopping local’.

 

Independent Retailer Month is a national campaign which has been designed to promote the independent sector UK wide, so it made sense for the Bath BID to take the lead and be part of this national campaign for Bath. The BID has joined forces with the Federation of Small Business to spread the word, and ensure even the smallest independents can participate. Many small independents are not Bath BID levy payers, however our mantra at the BID is that if the work we do can support all businesses, we are happy for anyone to get involved.

 

Over 200 companies in the centre of Bath are BID levy payers. Nearly 90 retailers, 60 leisure operators, and just over 50 companies in the professional services sector 

 

What do you think attracts people to Bath?

 

When it comes to Bath as a shopping destination, Bath wins hands down on individuality and having lots of uniquely different independent shops, bars and restaurants. Buying from an independent in Bath gives you ‘talkablity’ as you have something not everyone else has - you won’t have that awful moment of walking into a party and seeing somebody with the same dress. Maybe having a lampshade that not one else has, or a cake to die for, for when you entertain guests. When you choose an independent eatery, it’s likely that you will meet the owner and find an individual menu from which you can enjoy locally sourced seasonal products.

 

The great thing about Bath is the mix. As well as our wonderful indies, the city has most the of major chains and many of the UK and Europe’s niche micro chains. In addition to this Bath has world class heritage architecture, universities and attractions, providing the anchors for drawing in great numbers to support the overall retail proposition.

 

What are your professional goals for the City?

 

To build on the great work and heritage of the BID and for the BID to become recognised as the key private sector organisation for getting things done for businesses in Bath.

 

Also, that the city successfully develops it’s business provenance and maximises every opportunity afforded by the Enterprise Zone, and that Bath can play a key role as a major asset in the wider Western City Alliance.

 

Ultimately, my ambition is to do my best to ensure that businesses in Bath succeed.

 

What’s been your biggest achievement to date?

 

Professionally, being part of the team which brought the largest John Lewis outside of London to Cardiff and seeing visitor numbers growing by 4million a year in the Welsh capital.

Personally, bringing up twin daughters who are now both embarking on their careers in the financial services sector.

 

How do you spend your free time in Bath?

 

I walk everywhere, discovering places and rediscovering others from my university days here in Bath, enjoying the city with old and new friends. My visitor book is also very full with everyone very keen to come and stay. It’s easy to understand why.

 

Where is your favourite place to eat in Bath?

 

At the moment Amarone in Sawclose, and the Cowshed are going head to head.

 

What have been your key challenges and how have you overcome them?

 

Thankfully, there haven’t been many difficult challenges since I started. Moving forward, my key challenge is to try and not want to get things done too quickly. I need to make sure I understand the bigger picture as well as the detail, and work to do what’s best for business in the city for the long term.

 

Your 2pm meeting has been cancelled, meaning you now have a two-hour lunch break. What do you do?

 

Sadly, I don’t make enough time to take a break at lunchtime, it’s too easy to stay at my desk. I know I need to get out and about more and meet more of the business people in Bath, plus of course take time for some retail therapy. So I guess I need to get out more at lunch time and have a wander when I’m ‘off duty’ so I can lap up the city’s atmosphere and better understand its rhythm.

 

Describe Bath in 3 words

 

Compact. Beautiful. Quirky