What a fantastic year it has been for Dorking’s Business Improvement District.
As 2019 comes to an end we look back over the events organised by Dorking’s BID and celebrate the town’s success!
We have worked so hard to bring to Dorking the Artisan Market, which has been a great success and very well received throughout the town. What started off as a simple idea to draw footfall into Dorking, has now become a permanent fixture in Dorking’s diary. The Artisan Market, is a great place for creatives, arts and crafts stalls, artisan food and beverages to come together and celebrate their offerings.
As events become very much a part of Dorking’s profile, the Christmas Festival, which saw Dorking become pedestrianised for an afternoon of celebrations, was FANTASTIC! With market stalls, music and panto, we were delighted to see the Christmas lights switched on.
This fantastic event also kicked off the Christmas window competition, which was won by Victoria’s Little Bra Shop for the People’s Choice award and Seymour’s Estate Agent for the Chairman’s Choice.
We also had two Highly Commended windows, which went to, Flowers by Elaine and Dorking Windows.
The Christmas Window competition is such a great idea, not only does it help light up Dorking at Christmas, but its also an opportunity for us as a community to come together and help us celebrate and share good times.
Locally we have seen our levy payers reap the successes of their hard work, with Victoria’s Little Bra Shop winning the Best Boutique in The UK and Teresa Weller Hair Art for her success for Best Bridal Hair in the UK and the Best Wedding Hair Salon in Surrey.
We have also seen our community being pulled together by the amazing Jacqui Hamlin for saving Pipp Brooke House and forming a business hub, where local businesses can use the old house as a place for work. Where self-employed people can hot desk, support and build a community, coming together under one roof and not feel so isolated. Among other amazing projects that Jacqui is involved in, she was nominated for the BBC Community Heroes Award.
With 2020 knocking at our door, we have plans to make Dorking a bustle town of events and activities!
We kick off celebrating the Mayflower 400 this year! The Mayflower 400 will run themed events throughout the year, which will be announced as and when they are finalised. Of course we have the Artisan Market to look forward to, which will start again in March.
Dorking’s Business Improvement District is here to support our High Street, to help market our town, to drive tourism into the area as well as footfall from satellite towns and surrounding areas. We are also here to support business levy payers too.
We are constantly striving to come up with new ideas that benefit all members and with our new Facebook levy page now up and running we welcome your thoughts and ideas on how to move the BID moving forward in 2020 supporting you and our community.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/291456858414767/
We wish you all the very best for 2020!
