Middleton


MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM COMMUNITY EVENT

Thursday 12 March 2015
5.30pm - 8.00pm
Middleton Arena

Meet the members of the Middleton Town Team, hear about their key achievements in 2014 and have your say on future activities to support Middleton town centre.

Agenda

A light buffet & refreshments will be served from 5.30pm

6.00pm     Welcome - Elaine Simones (MC)
 
6.05pm     Introduction
                   Liz McInnes - MP for Middleton & Heywood
 
6.15pm     Middleton Town Team Review & Forward Plan
                   Adam Torevell - Chair (Middleton TCM Co)
                   Steve O'Toole - Vice Chair (Boots Store Manager)
 
6.25pm     The National Picture
                   Lisa Durkin - North West Town Teams Advisor (ATCM)
 
6.35pm     Destination Middleton
                   Mark Widdup - Executive Director, Rochdale Council
 
6.45pm     Ideas Generation Discussion
                   All
 
7.10pm     Group Feedback
                   All
 
7.30pm      Networking
 
8.00pm     Close
 



MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING

Wednesday 07 January 2015, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

Middleton TCM Offices

A G E N D A



 
ITEM
 
1.
Minutes of previous meeting & matters arising
 
2.
Review of Membership
 
3.
 
Community Event / Business Plan
4.
2015 Events & Campaign Diary
 
5.
Any Other Business
 
a)      Budget Update
 
6.
Time & Date of Next Meeting
 
To Be Confirmed

 


MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
Tuesday 4th November 2014, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
RBS Middleton
Minutes of Meeting
 
Attendees: Adam Torevell-MTCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole-Boots (Vice-Chair), Alison Johnson-Lord’s Butchers (Minutes), Cathie Partington-McDonalds, Elaine Simons, Peter Carey-Sedgwick Legal, Tina Wright-M24 Arts, Bev Harmstone-Hopwood Hall College, Gareth Bacon-RBS..
Apologies: Cllr June West, Ashleigh Webb-MTCM, Claire Costigan-Middleton Arena, Graham Duckworth-Middleton Arena, Lauren Mason, Tony Nugent-Anthony K Associates.
Absent: Lee Todman-O2, Peter Dawson-Community Rep, Tesco.
In Attendance: Frances Fielding-RMBC, Andrew Bradwell-RMBC.
 
1)      Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising.
Adam Torevell chaired the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
Adam thanked Gareth for agreeing to host the meeting.
 
2)      Oktoberfest Review.
Adam gave a quick review of last month’s Oktoberfest. This year the event was held on a Sunday and it didn’t seem to be the best day, there is a lot more footfall in the town centre on a Saturday; the beer tent did not sell as much as the previous year. However 1166 people visited the event; the event was highly publicised in the local media and online, and where possible all sponsors of the event including the town team were mentioned.
It is undecided whether the event will take place next year as developments are being planned by the shopping centre for the site (opposite bus station), a final decision will be made after Christmas.
 
3)      Christmas Lights Switch On& Reindeer Parade.
The Christmas lights switch on will be taking place on Saturday 15th November, a wide variety of events will be taking place on the day including performers, a giant snow globe, rides and the market being on until later in the day. The lights will be turned on at approximately 6pm by the Mayoress followed by a firework display paid for by the shopping centre.
On Sunday 16th November the shopping centre will also be organising a reindeer parade.
Howard has sadly left his post at the shopping centre and currently a permanent replacement has not been found.
 
4)      Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday will be taking place on the 6th December. A wide variety of events will be taking place across the borough, in Middleton we will be holding the window dressing competition again, please email anthony.jackson@rochdale.gov.uk if you are interested in taking part.
MTCM is working with local businesses to produce a series of voucher which can be used in local businesses throughout December, please email Ashleigh middletontcm@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested in taking part.
There is also a competition running amongst small, new businesses to find Rochdale’s Hidden Gem, for further details go to www.blueorchid.co.uk/RochdaleSBS
GB says he is willing to advertise events in the RBS.
  
5)      Town Team Pop Up Shop
Anthony Jackson has been in discussion with Link for Life and the shopping centre about obtaining a shop like we did last December.
Unfortunately the shop they are offering is located on the top floor; members of the town team present were concerned that there would not be the enough footfall to make it a success.
There was also concern about the town team sharing the space with link for life; link for life wish to put gym equipment and a mobile box office in the shop, we were concerned whether this would be intimidating for people wishing to visit the shop for town team purposes.
AJ is currently on holiday, but when he returns he and FF are going to speak with link for life and the shopping centre again to see if any alternatives can be found.
AT has said we could have a market stall.
FF/AJ to email proposals next week.
 
6)      Middleton Promotional Items.
FF has received quotes for a variety of I Love Middleton merchandise; town team members have voted to purchase Thermal Mugs and Pens at a combined cost of £414.50. These would be sold at any events the town team puts on.
AJ has purchased 2 pop up banners at a cost of £160 which promote the town team, again these can be used at any events that we put on.
SO thinks it would be a good idea if we produce a scrap book of all the things we have done.
 
7)      Any Other Business
a)      Budget Update.
Unfortunately Tony was unable to attend the meeting, so the budget update will be deferred to the next meeting.
b)      Great British High Street Award
Unfortunately we were not shortlisted for an award.
c)       Social Enterprise Update
AB informs us that it will take a couple of months for everything to be registered/made official; currently there are issues about the difference between directors and members and whether they are users or supporters.
AB will keep us updated.
TW asks whether we would be able to invite our new MP to the meetings.
FF is going to write a letter inviting her.
 
Time and Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 11th December 2014
5.45pm – 7.00pm
MTCM Offices

 

MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
Tuesday 23rd September 2014, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
MTCM Offices
Minutes of Meeting
Attendees: Adam Torevell-MTCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole-Boots (Vice-Chair), Alison Johnson-Lord’s Butchers (Minutes), Tony Nugent-Anthony K Associates, Rob Chambers-McDonalds, Elaine Simons, Peter Carey-Sedgwick Legal.
Apologies: Cllr June West, , Ashleigh Webb-MTCM, Claire Costigan-Middleton Arena, Graham Duckworth-Middleton Arena, Emma Neil, Tina Wright-M24 Arts, Bev Harmstone-Hopwood Hall College, Cathie Partington-McDonalds.
Absent: Lee Todman-O2, Peter Dawson-Community Rep, Leanne Dempsey-Tesco.
In Attendance: Frances Fielding-RMBC, Andrew Bradwell-RMBC, Anthony Jackson-RMBC.
 
1)      Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising.
Adam Torevell chaired the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
 
2)      Social Enterprise Update.
Andrew Bradwell gave a short update. The Co-op has offered to look over and help register the Middleton Town Team as a CIC Ltd by guarantee.
The Co-op would charge us £250 + VAT for a basic service and £500 +VAT for an advanced service; these services would check for errors and make amendments in our application (cost depends on how many amendments need to be made) it would also include registering the MTT at companies house and on the CIC register.
AB says RMBC would be willing to fund half of the costs.
Members of the town team present voted in favour of the advanced service.
AB will sort everything out.
 
3)      Review of Middleton’s Grand Day Out.
FF reviewed the day’s events.
£38 was made on the town teams stall.
331 people took a ride on the land train.
Red Cape Marketing helped to promote future events in Middleton by publicising them in picture frames they were giving away.
However several points can be learned from if we ever decide to do this event again:
·         Disappointed with the lack of involvement and communication from the Arena, it was learned that later on in the day the Arena would be hosting a wedding.
In future would it be an idea to build a relationship with the events side of the Arena.
·         The land train was unable to get to St Leonards Church.
Maybe a minibus could be used next time.
·         No activities or people were outside the Edgar Wood Centre; people were unsure how to get in or whether there were any activities on.
·         There was a lack of knowledge of the event with local businesses.
TN says next time more leaflets/posters need to be made and handed out to shops.
FF thinks we should make this an annual event, town team members present agree.
  
4)      Middleton Promotional Items
Anthony Jackson informs us that of all the I Love Middleton merchandise that we had made for the pop-up shop last December we now only have bags left.
AJ is going to sort out a quote for additional merchandise for the next meeting.
AJ also gave a presentation about having a pop-up shop again in the shopping centre at Christmas. The proposed dates are 8th-18th December.
The space is being offered rent free. The contribution needed from the town team would only be about £500-£600 as Link for Life wish to work in partnership with us to operate the shop,  Link for Life wish to use the space to promote their own activities i.e.) pantomimes and gym membership.
Link for Life have offered to have the agreement in their name and then business rates would not apply.
This proposal will be discussed in more depth at the next meeting.
AJ will bring costs.
AJ -The slogan for the shop will be “you said, we did”
Between now and then if anyone has any ideas please email.
 
5)      Christmas Events Programme.
AT says everything is booked for Oktoberfest, which is on Sunday 5th October this year.
The Xmas Lights switch on will be on Saturday 15th November, and once again the shopping centre has agreed to pay for the fireworks display.
SO asks whether Rochdale Online is promoting these events?
AT says at the moment it is promoting Oktoberfest but it will change to the Xmas Lights switch on.
MTCM would like some funding of £2,000 from the town team for these events, as Adam can’t vote on this matter there is no longer a quorum present at the meeting, so voting will be conducted by email.
SO raises the point that there is still an out of date cinema advert in the shopping centre; he also wonders what has happened to the Arena’s proposal for a vision mixer, AT believes this has been put on the back burner.
 
6)      Small Business Saturday-6th December
This is a nationwide event which is supported by government, last years event was quite successful, especially the shopping trail sticker hunt (over 50 were filled in).
However no one turned up for the cash mob.
This year there will be more communication with the local small businesses, and information packs will be sent out to them.
 
7)      Empty Shops Strategy.
Work is finally happening to refurbish the old Middleton Guardian offices.
The quotes have come back from Shutter Media; it would cost £20,000 to do all the buildings.
ES suggests going back to City Dressing for a quote.
ES thinks we should encourage other businesses to come to our next community event to discuss ideas and funding for the empty shops and shutters.
Alison says could we get a quote for just painting the shutters.
PC says we could use the Skills Centre to carry out the work. The skills centre helps young people get into training and learning a trade.
All the town team would have to do is to provide funding for the materials; it would be very good publicity for the town team and as SO says it will last.
PC is going to get more details for us.
 
8)      Any Other Business
Jim Dobbin MP sadly passed away a few weeks ago.
SO says he was a great asset to us, especially in our last meeting where he managed to get us additional funding for ‘A Grand Day Out’ and wrote a very glowing letter recommending us for a Great British High Street Award.
Sadly Howard Gibbons will be leaving the shopping centre soon.AT is going to approach someone at the shopping centre to take over Howards role on the town team.
Plans are being made for our next community event. AT thinks it will be a good idea if we could host the event in the pop-up shop.
SO raised the issue about whether it was possible for us to gain additional funding as the money we have will not last forever.
AB says funding could be granted as long as it is linked to a project.
AT says we need to engage with other bodies that could maybe provide us with funding.
 
Time and Date of Next Meeting.
Tuesday 4th November
5.45pm
RBS

 

 

MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
Tuesday 19th August 2014, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
Curiosi Tea, M24 Arts and Crafts, Lodge Street
Minutes of Meeting
Attendees: Adam Torevell-MTCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole-Boots (Vice-Chair), Alison Johnson-Lord’s Butchers (Minutes), Tony Nugent-Anthony K Associates, Tina Wright-M24 Arts, Gareth Bacon-RBS, Bev Harmstone-Hopwood Hall College, Rob Chambers-McDonalds, Jim Dobbin MP.
Apologies: Cllr June West, , Ashleigh Webb-MTCM, Claire Costigan-Middleton Arena, Graham Duckworth-Middleton Arena, Elaine Simons, Howard Gibbons-Middleton Shopping Centre.
Absent: Peter Carey-Sedgwick Legal, Lee Todman-O2, Peter Dawson-Community Rep, Leanne Dempsey-Tesco.
In Attendance: Frances Fielding-RMBC, Andrew Bradwell-RMBC.
 
1)      Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising.
Adam Torevell chaired the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
AT and the rest of the Town Team thanked Tina for hosting the event.
SO asked if it would be possible for it to be noted in the minutes who was absent from the meetings.
 
2)      Social Enterprise Constitution
It has been decided that Middleton town Team will set up as a CIC Ltd by guarantee.
AB will draw up the formal articles and submit them to companies house. There will be a small cost for doing this (£40-50).
AB says the co-op would be willing to look over the application.
AT is going to talk to Peter Carey at Sedgwick Legal about him having a look over them.
The board of directors, as agreed by those present at the meeting will be:
·         Adam Torevell – Chair
·         Steve O’Toole - Vice Chair
·         Tony Nugent – Treasurer
·         Alison Johnson – Secretary
 
3)      Middleton’s Grand Day Out
The Middleton THI is providing £5000 towards Golden Cluster Month as a whole and over 350 volunteer hours will be made over September. The THI have also paid for an actor to be on the land train dressed up as Edgar Wood.
FF reviewed the Grand Day Out plan which will take place in conjunction with Golden Cluster Month.
2 banners have been made and 2000 leaflets have been printed, 100 leaflets will be going to each of the 15 primary schools in Middleton.
TW wonders if this will be enough.
TN is going to try and produce some A3 posters using his photocopier.
On revolution radio in the week leading up to the event there will be 60 30 second radio adverts.
Rochdale Council will issue a press release and promote the event on their website, twitter and Facebook.
The event is promoted in the THI’s Heritage leaflet.
Jim Dobbin MP is going to include the event in the article he writes for the Middleton Guardian.
AT is going to talk with Rochdale Online about promoting it on there, as we have paid for a year’s worth of advertising.
Various activities will be taking place on the day including: face painting, a magician, children’s rides, the teenage market, a vintage fire engine and the land train.
Some debate is arising as whether we should charge for the face painting.
JW has said she thinks that the Town Team should pay for it therefore enabling it to be free to the public.
AT thinks a small cost should be made to the public and the money donated to charity.
JD is going to speak to the council leader about maybe getting additional funding for this, FF to forward him the details.
The cost of the vintage fire engine has increased from £100 to £250.
SO said we may have gone over budget but we have to do it.
TN has said he would be willing to contribute financially if necessary.
TW and GB will be having stalls at the event and will be covering their own costs.
RC is going to talk to his boss about seeing if there is anyway they can contribute to the event.
A company called Red Cape has been in touch with a proposal for the day which consists of them providing a giant inflatable marquee and 4 members of staff who will be dressed in period clothing, doing various activities and workshops, they would also provide a photographer. The cost of this would be £1650.
FF says the same company did an event in Rochdale for the Tour de France and over 1000 came.
FF is going to do a costing for just a marque, as the Town Team is very keen on the idea especially with the weather, but is uncertain about the cost.
TW likes the idea but is there any way we could get funding to cover to cover half if not all of it.
SO wonders if we could approach the THI for funding.
JD says he will discuss with the council leader about whether any funding could be got for this as well, FF to forward him the details.
FF is going to have a meeting with Middleton Arena to see if there is any way they could help with the event.
The Town Team will be having a stall selling I Love Middleton merchandise, and any member of the town team can come on the stall to promote their business.
BH will be bringing along a banner from the college.
GB will be doing activities on the stall.
 
4)      Empty Shops Strategy.
A company called Shutter Media has conducted an audit on the empty shops in Middleton.
FF will circulate the findings when they arrive.
 
5)      Great British High Street Award.
We will be entering in the category for a Market Town; the application will be based on the principles and activities of the Middleton Town Team.
FF will fill in the forms and before submission will circulate it for us to read.
JD is going to write a letter of endorsement.
 
6)      Any Other Business
a)      Christmas Activities
The Christmas light switch on will be Saturday 15th November, on Sunday 16thNovember the shopping centre will be having their own event. MTCM may need funding for this.
AT will get further details for a future meeting.
MTCM may also need funding for Oktoberfest which this year will be on a Sunday (5th October) after one shop keeper complained about the event last year.
AT will get further details for a future meeting.
FF talked briefly about Small Business Saturday (6th December), TW has agreed to be a member of a subgroup which will discuss ideas for the day.
b)      Budget Update
AT is going to sort out the invoices which the town team owe MTCM.
 
7)      Time and Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 23rd September 5.45pm-7.00pm
RBS

 
 



MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
Tuesday 22 July 2014, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
Middleton Town Centre Management Company Offices
Minutes of Meeting


Attendees: Adam Torevell-MTCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole-Boots (Vice-Chair), Alison Johnson-Lord’s Butchers (Minutes), Tony Nugent-Anthony K Associates, Elaine Simons, Graham Duckworth-Middleton Arena, Howard Gibbons-Middleton Shopping Centre, Tina Wright-M24 Arts, Gareth Bacon-RBS, Bev Harmstone-Hopwood Hall College, Leanne Dempsey-Tesco, Rachel- Tesco.

Apologies: Lauren Mason- Middleton Township, Cllr June West, Jim Dobbin MP, Ashleigh Webb-MTCM, Claire Costigan-Middleton Arena.
In Attendance: Frances Fielding-RMBC, Anthony Jackson-RMBC.

1)      Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising.
Adam Torevell chaired the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
In the previous meeting it was discussed about producing an annual report, with help from college students in the design and production; it has been decided that we will defer producing this until September when the college reopens.
It has been revealed by Lisa Durkin at ATCM that Middleton Town Team is considered a best practice when setting up and running a Town Team.
Tesco’s new community champion Leanne Dempsey attended her first meeting.

2)      Forming a social enterprise
Andrew Bradwell who has done the vast majority of research was not present at this meeting. It has been decided by AB and a subgroup that a CIC Ltd by guarantee is the best form of social enterprise for the Town Team.
Both TW and TN raised the issue of the town team getting extra funding. 



A CIC enables the town team to apply for grants and further funding. 

TN asks whether RMBC approves of a CIC Ltd by guarantee. FF says they do.

It has been decided by a vote that the Town Team will set up as a CIC Ltd by guarantee.

Action: Formal plans will be drawn up and brought to next meeting.

3)      Middleton Arena Cinema
GD reviewed his video mixer funding proposal.
The town team has voted in favour of funding the purchase of a £1600 video mixer for the Middleton Arena, but with certain conditions.
AT and SO think any money that the video mixer helps the arena to make should be reinvested into Middleton Arena.
GD is going to talk to Link for Life (who run the arena) to see if this is possible.
TN wonders if anything like this has been done before by other town teams.
FF to ask Lisa Durkin at ATCM
TW wonders if something could be written into the terms of reference for future funding proposals.
AT is going to try and get a deal together with link for life.

4)      Town centre fun day – Middleton’s golden cluster/heritage open days
FF reviewed the plan for Middleton’s Grand Day Out on the 13th September when a land train will ferry people around Middleton, and various attractions will be taking place in Middleton Gardens.
Funding for this event has been provided by Middleton Town Team (£2000), Middleton Township (£600), and Middleton Shopping Centre Sponsorship (£500).

BH had the idea of a vintage fire engine outside the arena.
GD says it is not practical for it to be on the pavement outside the arena due to the weight of it; however it may be possible for it to be on one of the access roads.

FF is going to speak to Highways about this.
AJ had the idea that the Arena/Link for Life could put on some sort of display/stall outside the arena
GD going to look into this

TW is interested in having a stall outside the arena and maybe producing a tapestry of the town team logo.
FF says leaflets promoting the event will be ready the first week in September, ready to be distributed to local schools.
AT wonders if some posters could be made available earlier.
HG says banners can go up at the shopping centre.
Banners could also go up on the railings going into Tesco car park.
ES/HG had the idea of having a pop up shop just before the event to help promote it
After a discussion it was decided that we will not charge people to use the land train.
AT said people may be put off if we charge, in the end the whole purpose of the event is to bring people to the town.
HG said have it free this time and if we do it again charge then.
Tesco asked if it would be possible for them to promote their charity at the event.
They will get back to us with further details.
AT says at the next meeting everything should be planned out.
·         What’s happening?
·         Where?
·         Any Volunteers.
If anyone has any ideas please email.
 
5)      Empty shops strategy
The shopping centre has their own strategy in place to deal with empty shops, so we will be concentrating on any empty shops in the surrounding area.

SO wonders if anything can be done about all the fast food shops on Market Place during the day when they are closed, could the shutters be decorated in some way.

FF is going to look into getting a quote for this.

AJ says we could approach shop owners, and if they did not want to pay for it, the town team could sponsor/fund it and use it to publicise/promote us.

AJ is going to find a quote for just painting the shutters, as it may be cheaper.

6)      Any other business
Middleton Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) Board.
Kerrie Smith was unable to attend this meeting but asked FF to ask town team members if anyone would be interested in taking up a place on the THI board.
Alison Johnson was nominated for a place on the board.
FF to inform Kerrie Smith of this.

On 15th September there will be a town team showcase at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester – More details to follow.

AT gave a brief update on the Teenage Market; it’s been decide that the market works better if something else is going on as well.
AT is looking at maybe doing a teenage market/skateboarding event.

The teenage market may be taking place on ‘A Grand Day Out’
AJ says it may be an idea to plan/schedule the teenage markets for the whole year.

ES says we should all help to promote each other’s businesses/events.

GD says the RBS has a community wall which could be used

FF is going to try to get the Middleton Guardian to come to meetings.

Tesco said what about Middleton Life.

7)      Time and date of next meeting.
Tuesday 19th August 2014, 5.45pm-7.00pm
M24 Arts and Crafts, Lodge Street.


MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
Thursday 12th June 2014, 5.45pm, - 7.00pm
Middleton Town Centre Management Company Offices
MINUTES OF MEETING
Attendees:  Adam Torevell – MTCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole – Boots (Vice-Chair), Alison Johnson –                 Lord’s Butchers (Minutes), Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Elaine Simons, Graham Duckworth – Middleton Arena.
Apologies:  Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Cllr June West, Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Cathy Partington – McDonalds, Tina Wright – M24 Arts & Crafts, Claire Costigan – Middleton Arena, Ashleigh Webb – MTCM, Gareth Bacon – RBS.
In attendance: Frances Fielding – RMBC, Andrew Bradwell – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC.
1) Minutes of Previous Meeting and Matters Arising.
Adam Torevell chaired the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
No quorum at this meeting, so all voting was deferred to the next meeting.
Golden Cluster Month – a subcommittee has met to discuss ideas (see later).
It has been agreed by RMBC that money will be paid into the Town Teams bank account £5000 at a time.
Frances Fielding has been chasing up Town Team members from Tesco and O2 as they have been missing from quite a lot of meetings. Tesco currently employ a Community Champion who may be interested in joining the Town Team.
FF to write a formal letter of invitation.
2) Forming as a Social Enterprise
Three concerns were raised at the previous meeting.
·         Are you a director as an individual or as a company?
o   Individual.
·         How hard is it to dissolve the company?
o   No real problems to be found.
·         Is there other Town Teams who have set up Social Enterprises?
o   Margate – www.margatetownteam.org.uk
o   Market Rasen – www.marketrasenguide.co.uk
o   Buxton – www.buxtontownteam.org.uk
Andrew Bradwell has drawn up the articles and all is needed for the Town Team to agree to them.
Voting deferred to next meeting.
3) Middleton Arena Cinema Update
Graham Duckworth presented a report about the Arena new cinema screen and a proposal for funding.
The most successful day was Bank Holiday Monday when 110 people saw The Lego Movie.
There are various advertisements in leaflets and in the Middleton Shopping Centre.
SO pointed out that the advertisement in the shopping centre is not up to date.
GD has had the idea for movie theme nights (horror, comedy).
Also there is scope to link films to existing events i.e.) The Rochdale Literature Festival and Remembrance Sunday.
Regular surveys will be conducted to find out people’s opinions and views and get an idea of what films people want to see.
Through a contact GD has the opportunity to make a promotional video; he says the Town Team can have the promotional video to make a film promoting Middleton.
With regards to the funding request of £1600 for a video mixer, the proposal was met with enthusiasm by those in attendance.
AB had the idea that it could be used as an informal loan, and the arena pays the Town Team back, it’s a good way for the Town Team to generate income.
As there are not enough members to vote, voting is deferred to the next meeting.
4) Town Centre Fun Day – Middleton Golden Cluster/ Heritage Open Days.
A subgroup has met to discuss ideas. (Frances Fielding, Anthony Jackson, Kerrie Smith, Lauren Mason, Ashleigh Webb)
September as a whole will be known as Discover Middleton in September; and Saturday 13th September will be promoted as Middleton’s Grand Day Out.
FF is going to produce a formal proposal about the day and how much funding would be needed.
BH has a contact who can provide a vintage fire engine, which could be put outside the arena/
GD is going to check whether this clashes with anything they already have on.
ES had the idea of KS or other members of the Town Team going into schools to promote the event.
AW is looking as to whether it would be an idea to put the Teenage Market on, on that day/
GD says he will promote the event on the Arenas quarterly what’s on leaflet.
5) Signing Up to Be A Dementia Friendly Town.
As Middleton as an ageing population SO had the idea for Middleton to become a dementia friendly town (Eccles is already one).
All you have to do is go to www.dementiafriends.org.uk and watch a short video and then sign up to be a dementia friend.
It would be great PR for the Town Team and Middleton if the majority of town centre businesses can sign up.
ES asked whether the film could be shown at the arena before films. GD said it could.
6) Annual Report & Forward Plan.
As the Middleton Town Team has been established for a year, it was thought that we could produce an annual report about what we have achieved and our plans for the future. Market Rasen town Team has done something similar.
AT suggested maybe using Hopwood Hall College to help design it.
AT and FF to look into this.
AB raised the issue of annual accounts.
AT to look into this.
7) Teenage Market Update.
The next Teenage Market will be on Sunday 15th June. 14 stalls have been booked, with 4 music acts playing at different time throughout the day.
AT/AW are currently experimenting as to whether it is more viable on a Saturday or a Sunday.
8) Any Other Business
There is a Town Team Training Course – Marketing & Communications on Tuesday 15th July at Middleton arena, anyone interested please contact Anthony or Frances.
The Middleton Town Centre Visitor guide is soon to be off to the printers and hopefully will be ready for when Le Tour De France comes to the Borough. It will then be distributed to all shops and the bus station.
AJ is going to look into getting vinyl window/car stickers made with the Town Teams twitter account on.
9) Time And Date Of Next Meeting
Tuesday 22nd July, 5.45pm – 7.00pm.
Venue to be confirmed.



Middleton in the market for new traders during love your market fortnight











Rent a stall for just £5 during LYLM fortnight
Future businessmen and women can take a stall on Middleton market for just £5 as part of national Love your Local Market fortnight.

The event, which celebrates the market tradition up and down the country, runs from 14 to 28 May and encourages shoppers to go and find out what’s on offer at their local market.

And budding entrepreneurs who fancy trying their hand at selling goods can rent a stall for just £5 a day throughout the fortnight. 

Anyone selling goods which are not currently represented on the market can take advantage of the offer to test trade in a traditional market setting.

Anyone who would like to have a go at selling is advised to get in there quickly, as stalls are selling fast.

Middleton Town Centre Manager, Adam Torevell, said: “Middleton has a great market but our recent successful teenage event showed that there’s a definite appetite among shoppers for something new. That’s we’d love anyone who’s got an idea and a product to come along and have a go this Love your Local market fortnight.”

A memories tent will also be set up on Tuesday 20 May for people to visit and reminisce about Middleton market. Volunteers from the Middleton Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) will be on hand to film people’s recollections, which will be kept as a permanent record of the market through the ages.

Anyone who would like to take a stall on one or more of the days during Love Your Markets fortnight can contact the Middleton Town Centre Manager, Ashleigh Franklin on 07794 374 554 or email  middletontcm@hotmail.co.uk

Memories from Middleton Market


MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING

Tuesday 08 April, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

Middleton Arena

 

MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G












Attendees:

Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole –Boots (Vice Chair), Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Alison Johnson – Lords Butchers, Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Gareth Bacon – RBS, Graeme Duckworth – Middleton Arena, Claire Costigan – Middleton Arena,  Andrew Bradwell – RMBC, Julian Jefferson – Link4Life, Elaine Simons

Apologies:

Cllr June West, Cllr Jonathan Burns – RMBC, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Jim Dobbin – MP, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township,  Allan Robinson – Tesco, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Rachel Armitt – O2, Ashleigh Webb – Middleton TCM, Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre,  Cathy Partington & Rob Chambers – McDonalds

In Attendance:

Frances Fielding – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC, Nick Barton – RMBC , Pauline Journeaux – Rochdale Online

No.

ITEM

ACTIONS

1.

Minutes of the previous meeting & review of actions

Adam Torevell chaired the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account. The outstanding actions were discussed:


Twitter Training:

·         Blue Orchid are running a free Twitter Training Course on Monday 14 April, 10am – 2pm. All members of the Town Team are invited to attend.


Middleton Shopping Centre:

·         Steve provided an update on a recent Tenants Meeting held by the Middleton Shopping Centre.

·         The new owners are very optimistic and predict that within 2 years the centre will be full and are keen to engage with the Town Team.

·         The owners took over a shopping centre recently in Stockton-on-Tees which was at 60% capacity when they bought it 2 years ago and now is 99% full.

·         Interest has already been expressed from several high street brands and food outlets about coming into the Middleton Shopping Centre.

·         Adam also confirmed that the Shopping Centre have offered space on the malls for the Teenage Market events if ever the weather is poor.


Middleton Town Team Social Enterprise:

·         Andrew has been progressing work to set up the Town Team Social Enterprise.

·         There needs to be a heavy discussion to agree and go through the Terms of Reference which Andrew still needs to work on so he suggested bringing this back to the next meeting but that he would need at least 20 minutes on the Agenda.














·         Invite new Shopping Centre owners to a future Town Team meeting.








·         Include Social Enterprise Item on next Agenda.

2.

Rochdale Online

Pauline Journeaux from Rochdale Online delivered a presentation on ways Rochdale Online can help support the Middleton Town Team:

·         In terms of background information, Rochdale Online started as a community website in 1998 and grew to become a commercial company in 2001 building websites and offering advertising space on their website.

·         The site today receives around 2million page views per month and offers a free business directory – currently listing 6,800 businesses, free event listings – with over 200 events listed for April, and has over 300 regular advertisers.



3.

Feedback from Community Event – 25 March

·         Over 20 x people attended the Community Event including some new attendees including Peter Fearnley from Business in the Community, Graham Sellers from Phillip & Graham Hairdressers and Paul Clark from CJ Architects and Chair of the Rochdale Borough High St Foundation.

·         The majority of the ideas put forward are things the Town Team have already included in our Action Plan such as pop-up shops, events, treating empty shops, speciality markets, cinema screen etc.

·         Some new ideas included linking more in with the heritage offer, considering more safety initiatives such as improved street lighting and more marketing of the town.

·         The event overall went well and is useful to inform the wider community on the Town Team progress and give them the opportunity to get involved.
















4.

Teenage Market

Adam provided an update on the Teenage Market being held on 19 April and circulated a promotional leaflet:

·         Currently 6 x traders signed up with a further 2 in the pipeline.

·         It was agreed to take a stall to promote the Town Team and anyone who could volunteer time to help out on the day to email Frances.

·         A range of young performing artists have also been booked including dancers, singers and musicians.

·         There needs to be a big push now on promoting the event to shoppers / visitors.

·         Tony said he would be happy to print off additional copies of the leaflet and post these through doors.

·         It was also agreed to pay for an advert in the Middleton Guardian and Rochdale Online.

·         Adam also asked anybody using social media to share a link from the Middleton Town Centre Facebook page.





·         FF to organise Town Team market stall rota.


·         All to help publicise the event as much as possible.





5.

Middleton Arena Cinema Proposal

·         Due to Graham being unwell this item was deferred until the next meeting.

·         Include as Agenda Item for next meeting.

6.

Middleton Townscape Heritage Initiative

Nick Barton from Rochdale Council gave a presentation on the Middleton THI which is a partnership between Rochdale Council and Heritage Lottery.

·         Rochdale Council have agreed to fund an extension of Middleton Public Realm works to the tune of £1.6m giving a total budget of over £3m to invest in preserving and promoting the heritage of Middleton.

·         Several critical projects have been identified:

­   Old Burial Ground

­   Jubilee Park

­   Middleton Gardens

­   The Edgar Wood Centre (Long Street Methodist Church)

·         The Priority Projects include restoring / repairing 30 x Edgar Wood Properties.

·         Grants are available to priority projects offering up to 60% towards eligible repair costs and up to 90% restoration costs.

·         Public consultation is currently under way regarding wider public realm improvements and Nick would like to bring these proposals back to a future Town Team meeting from June onwards.

·         The Town Team thanked Nick for his presentation and asked to be kept informed of the public realm proposals.


Middleton Gold Cluster

·         Julian raised Golden Cluster Month in September and suggested holding  a fun day in the town centre during the month to attract visitors from the Golden Cluster into the town centre.

·         It was agreed this would be a good idea and to include as an Agenda Item for the next meeting to discuss further.









·         Nick to keep the Town Team informed of the public realm improvements.











·         Include Golden Cluster Town Centre Fun Day as Agenda Item for next meeting.

7.

Middleton Town Centre Visitor Guides

·         Julian showed the Town Team a sample of what the Middleton Town Centre Visitor Guide will look like.

·         The guide will fold down to a pocket size which will have details of the borough’s visitor offer on one side and a map of Middleton Town Centre on the other with details of things to see, do, shop & visit.

·         The first draft of the Middleton Guide has not yet been received but will be circulated to the Town Team for comments when ready.

·         Rochdale Council have funded for the graphic design costs and the production of 1,000 copies.


·         Julian to circulate draft Visitor Guide for comments.

8.

Empty Shops Strategy

·         Frances has been trying to catalogue the empty shops in Middleton town centre which the Town Team might want to consider installing graphics on by City Dressing to temporarily treat them.

·         The majority of the empty shops are in the Shopping Centre and it was agreed that the next steps are to discuss with Howard Gibbons his plans for the empty shops before the Town Team make any decisions.


·         FF to organise meeting with Howard Gibbons r.e Empty Shops.

9.

Any Other Business


Thank you to Elaine:

·         Adam announced Elaine’s contract with Rochdale Council has now expired and she is no longer employed to support the Middleton Town.

·         Everybody thanked Elaine for all her hard work and invited her to become a voluntary member of the Town Team.

·         Elaine thanked everybody and reflected on how much she has enjoyed supporting the Middleton Town Team and confirmed she would be delighted to accept a voluntary seat on the Town Team.


Digital High Street Training Courses:

·         Frances circulated details of a new programme of digital high street training courses being delivered by the ATCM.

·         There are 3 x modules and the courses cost £85 per person, but if anybody is interested in attending, Rochdale Council are considering contributing 50% towards the cost if there is enough demand.

·         If anybody is interested in attending please contact Frances.

·         More details can be found online: http://www.digitalhighstreetskills.co.uk/








10.

Time & Date of Next Meeting

Thursday 08 May, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, venue to be confirmed.







Future Alan Sugar’s line up for Middleton’s first teenage market












Young entrepreneurs with cracking business ideas took part in Middleton’s first teenage market on Easter Saturday.

Around 12 stallholders from Middleton and across Greater Manchester set up shop in Middleton Gardens selling unique pieces designed by themselves including greetings cards, handmade gifts, accessories and garden equipment.
Live street entertainment was also provided by young performing artists including singers, dancers and musicians who took to the stage to showcase their local talents. There were also fairground rides for the younger tots which all helped create a vibrant town centre offer.
Over 200 people attended the event, which was organised by The Middleton Town Centre Management Company and the Middleton Town Team.
The one-off items on offer also included home furnishings and specially designed balloons, while shoppers could also snap up ‘I love Middleton’ merchandise.
The teenage market is expected to return to Middleton Gardens every two months, with the young people selling between 9.30am and 2.30pm alongside the regular traders.
Chair of the Middleton Town Team, Adam Torevell, said: “Having seen how successful the teenage markets have been in Stockport, we wanted to try something similar in Middleton so we could bring more young people into the town centre.
“Events like this really demonstrate the great creativity and business acumen that our young people have and they really added something to the market by selling crafts and other goods which are not currently on sale.”
Anyone who would like to enquire about holding a stall at a future teenage market can contact Ashleigh in the Middleton town centre management company at middletontcm@hotmail.co.uk
Jim Dobbin MP for Middleton visiting the Teenage Market

Young traders setting out their stall

Live street entertainment

Members of the Middleton Town Team in action with their youngest recruit!























Middleton Town Team
C/O Middleton Town Centre Management Company
Colmar House
Middleton Gardens
M24 4DB
09 April 2014
Dear Trader
Middleton Teenage Market
Saturday 19th April, 9am – 2.30pm, Middleton Gardens
The Middleton Town Team would like to give you the opportunity to trade at the first ever Teenage Market being held in Middleton Town Centre on Saturday 19th April from 9am – 2.30pm.
The cost to trade at this first event will be FREE OF CHARGE. We are providing 20 x market stalls (3m x 3m gazebo) for traders who can appeal to a teenage market. (Please note you do not have to be a Teenager to trade, but your products should appeal to a teenage market and we are looking for traders aged under 25).
The Teenage Market will compliment the existing outdoor market and combine live music, and performing artists including dancers, singers, musicians and more to create a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
If you would like to take part in the Teenage Market please return your completed application form along with a copy of your Public Liability Insurance Certificate to:
Ashleigh Franklin (Webb)
Middleton Town Centre Management Company Ltd
1st Floor, Colmar House,
Middleton Gardens,
Middleton, Manchester,
M24 4DB
Telephone: 0161 653 4990
Mobile: 07794 374 554
 
Yours sincerely
Adam Torevell
Middleton Town Team Chair



MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING













Thursday 20 February, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

Middleton Arena

 MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G

Attendees:
Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole –Boots (Vice Chair), Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Farah Rehmen – Hopwood Hall College, Peter Dawson – Community Rep, Alison Johnson – Lords Butchers, Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Ashleigh Webb – Middleton TCM, Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre,  Cathy Partington & Rob Chambers – McDonalds, Graeme Duckworth – Middleton Arena
Apologies:
Cllr June West, Cllr Jonathan Burns – RMBC, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Jim Dobbin – MP, Claire Costigan– Middleton Arena,  Lauren Mason – Middleton Township,  Allan Robinson – Tesco, Julian Jefferson – Link4Life,  Paula Jones – RBS, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Rachel Armitt – O2, Andrew Bradwell - RMBC
In Attendance:
Frances Fielding – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC, Elaine Simons, Jeremy Rucker – City Dressing

No.
ITEM
ACTIONS
1.
Minutes of the previous meeting & review of actions
·         Adam Torevell chaired the meeting.
·         The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
·         There were no outstanding actions.
2.
Pop Up Cinema
·         GD demonstrated the fantastic HD Professional Screen which the Arena has recently purchased to show films / sporting events.
·         The screen itself is 10m x 7.5m and has commercial Blu Ray, Sky Features and digital HD receiver.
·         The Arena are planning a calendar of family films to launch from April.
·         Suggestions for films to showcase have included Dispicable Me, Gravity, Captain Phillips and Rush.
·         PD suggested showing some films which have been made in Middleton.
·         The auditorium has a capacity for 462 seats.
·         The screening licence costs £85 per screening.
·         The Arena have yet to decide the charges.
·         AT suggested that GD prepares a proposal to bring to the next meeting to look at ways the Town Team can help support the Pop Up Cinema in terms of marketing / sponsorship etc.
·         The Middleton Town Centre Management Company & The Arndale will also be able to help promote the films.
·         GD said there will be opportunities for local businesses / events etc to promote their adverts before the film is shown.
·         The Town Team were fully in support of the cinema and thanked Graham for providing the demonstration.
·         GD to bring Cinema / Town Team Proposal back to next meeting.
3.
City Dressing
·         Jeremy Rucker from City Dressing attended the meeting and presented ideas to bring empty retail units back to life.
·         His company produce virtual graphics and creative solutions for empty shops.
·         Smart Windows use a vinyl graphic to create a 3D shop giving the illusion there is a real shop / business inside the unit.
·         This can be used on the glass, shutters or on a hoarding in front of the property.
·         The graphics can also display details of the property agent and give prospective tenants a vision of what the unit could look like.
·         Another innovative concept is Sound Boards – using the front of an empty shop this is dressed as a studio and promotes local artists and bands. Using a QR code, passers-by can download tracks at the touch of a button onto their smart phone and vote for their favourite band. The winner could be invited to play at Oktoberfest.
·         Jeremy also gave an example of placing a sensor in a shop window and a speaker which plays music each time somebody walks past.
·         History Walls – again this is the same concept taking the front of the empty shop and promoting the history of the area and generate an interest in the town’s heritage.
·         White Box - this is when City Dressing take on an empty shop unit for a period of 3 or 4 weeks. They will refurbish the shop to a high standard and invite big name retailers to “test trade” in the shop for a short period of time.
·         This gives the retailer a feel for the town and an idea of the town viability of opening a shop there.
·         Other proposals included an Easter Egg Hunt, Advent Calendar, hoardings for derelict buildings, floor graphics and 3m high information towers.
Questions / Comments from the Town Team:
Q.     Peter Dawson asked how these designs fit in with Planning Regulations?
A.      Jeremy explained that virtual windows placed inside the shop don’t require planning permission, but if we needed to erect hoardings outside the unit then this possibly would.
A.      FF confirmed that the Planning Dept would be consulted on any designs pursued.
·         Peter Dawson suggested erecting some hoardings around Providence United Reform Church on Market Place which is in a derelict state.
·         Jeremy agreed to look at this and come up with a proposal.
·         The derelict building next to the Old Boar’s Head was also suggested.
·         Takeaways were also discussed which have shutters down during the day, and Jeremy said these could either be painted, or the businesses encouraged to keep the shutters up and use blinds instead.
·         HG confirmed that the shopping centre would be interested in considering some of the proposals.
·         FF liked the white box concept and suggested this could be looked at for when the pop up shop closes at the end of March.
·         It was agreed for all the Town Team to try and catalogue the empty shops and send photographs to FF to send to Jeremy to review and produce a proposal.
·         All to help catalogue the Empty Shops and FF to submit to Jeremy.
4.
Teenage Market
·         AT presented the proposal for the launch of the Teenage Market and the Town Centre Management Company would like to deliver these events every 2 months.
·         The Town Team approved £1,500 for the launch event and Adam will be using some of this funding to purchase a PA system and generator and advertising banners to locate on the roundabout and railings outside the post office.
·         AT is also considering advertising on the Revolution Radio, for daily slots running for 6 weeks prior to the event, the cost is approximately £500.
·         In terms of insurance, the event is covered by TCM, but individual stall holders will be required to purchase their own insurance.
·         FF agreed to look into stall holders insurance with the National Markets Federation.
·         AT confirmed the event will host 20 x stalls and the location will be moved onto the Gardens.
·         PD was concerned that the location had moved from outside Jon Miguels, but the Town Team agreed it would be better on the Gardens to risk the first event being too sparse.
·         BH agreed to promote the market to college students and also see if she can get a press release produced.
·         FF to check stall holder insurance with the National Markets Federation.
·         BH to promote event to students and help prepare a press release.
5.
Middleton Town Centre Visitor Guide
·         In Julian’s absence, FF updated on the Middleton Town Centre Visitor Guide.
·         The list of shops / businesses had been circulated and comments were being emailed to FF.
·         TN requested for Anthony K Associates on Long St to be included.
·         Rochdale Council have agreed to pay for the graphic design and production of 1,000 leaflets.
·         The leaflet delivery date is 25th April and these will be distributed to town centre shops, accommodation providers, the Arena and visitor attractions.
·         The text to promote the local history / places to visit and interesting facts is currently being produced and will be circulated via email for comments.
6.
Town Team Community Event
·         AJ circulated an invitation to the Community Event which will be held on Tuesday 25 March, 5.45pm – 7.45pm at the Middleton Arena.
·         All Town Team members are asked to attend and invite any businesses / community groups / individuals who may be interested in attending.
·         The purpose of the event is to inform the wider community on progress of the Middleton Town Team and give this wider group the opportunity to put forward their ideas.
7.
Any Other Business
Twitter Training:
·         AJ will organise a separate Twitter Training Session outside of the Town Team meetings.
·         Anybody interested in attending the course to contact Anthony / Frances.
8.
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Community Event: Tuesday 25 March, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, Middleton Arena.
Town Team Meeting: Tuesday 08 April, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, venue TBC























MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING

Thursday 20 February 2014, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

Middleton Arena, Upper Auditorium
A G E N D A

ITEM
5.45pm
Minutes of previous meeting & review of actions
Adam Torevell (Chair)
10mins
5:55pm
Pop Up Cinema
Claire Costigan & Graham Duckworth
10mins
6:05pm
City Dressing
Jeremy Rucker
20mins
6.25pm
Teenage Market
Adam Torevell
15mins
6.40pm
Middleton Town Centre Visitor Guide
Julian Jefferson
10mins
6.50pm
Town Team Community Event – 25 March
All
5mins
6.55pm
Any Other Business
5mins
7.00pm
Time & Date of Next Meeting (Community Event)
Thursday 25 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm, Middleton Arena

Hopwood Hall College student gives Middleton Town Team its identity



















Winning Logo designed by Hopwood Hall student Adham Mugal
Keen to develop their identity, the Middleton Town Team recently challenged graphic design students at Hopwood Hall College to design a new logo. And it was 18 year old Adham Mugal from Rochdale whose design was chosen as the winner. As his prize he recieved a Tesco Huddle, donated by the Middleton store, but more importantly he got to see his design used on the shop front of the Town Team's pop up shop in the Middleton Shopping Centre.
The shop was officially opened by MP Jim Dobbin and Lisa Durkin - North West Town Teams Advisor and was open during December. The shop provided information to local residents and visitors on events and local business services, ran daily competitions and provided information about the history of Middleton town centre.
 

Pop Up Shop officially opened by MP Jim Dobbin and Lisa Durkin - NW Town Teams Advisor

'I Love Middleton' merchandise was available to purchase including mugs, shopping bags and pens.
Hopwood Hall College are members of the Town Team and used this competition as a great opportunity for the graphic design students to gain real life work experience by working on a live brief to design and produce the logo.
At the start of the project, the group of students met with Frances Fielding - Economic Development Officer from Rochdale Council and gained an understanding ofthe aims of the project. They were then guided by their tutor, Sharon Drysdale and worked individually to research Middleton town's history to gain inspiration in assisting with their designs.
The competition was fierce and after much deliberation, Adham's design was chosen as the winning entry. He commented: "It was a great opportunity to be able to work on this live project and I was very pleased with the outcome and to know that I had produced the winning design. I will be able to add this to my portfolio."
Frances Fielding from Rochdale Council said: "The quality and professionalism of all of the logo's was outstanding and it was very difficult to choose the winning design, but we are very pleased with our chosen logo and will now be using this to build a corporate identity for the Middleton Town Team. We recognise the importance of providing work experience opportunities for learners at the College and the benefits obtained are valuable for both parties."
Bev Harmstone, work placement coordinator at Training @ Hopwood explained how difficult it is for young people to gain an insight to the industry and commented on what a great opportunity this was for learners: "Working on this live brief has allowed learners to experience what the graphic design industry is really like. Quite often graphic designers can work in isolation and this opportunity has proved to be realistic. Increasingly young people are required to demonstrate that they have gained work experience when applying for jobs, apprenticeships and university courses. This project will contribute to their personal statement on their CV and enhance their progression routes."
For more information about work experience opportunities and how Hopwood Hall College learners may be able to assist with your business, or if you have any organisational training needs please contact Training @ Hopwood on 0161 654 4373.





















Adham Mughal recieving his prize from Frances Fielding - Rochdale Council


MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING



















Thursday 16 January, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

Middleton Arena
 
MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G

Attendees:
Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole –Boots (Vice Chair), Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Peter Dawson – Community Rep, Alison Johnson – Lords Butchers, Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Cllr June West, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, , Cllr Jonathan Burns – RMBC, Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre,  Cathy Partington & Rob Chambers – McDonalds, Dean Lane – O2, Graeme Duckworth – Middleton Arena
Apologies:
Jim Dobbin – MP, Ashleigh Webb – Middleton TCM, Claire Costigan– Middleton Arena,  Lauren Mason – Middleton Township,  Allan Robinson – Tesco, Julian Jefferson – Link4Life,  Paula Jones – RBS, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Cllr June West
In Attendance:
Frances Fielding – RMBC (minutes), Andrew Bradwell – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC, Elaine Simons, Joe Barrett – Teenage Market
No.
ITEM
ACTIONS
1.
Minutes of the previous meeting & review of actions
Adam Torevell (AT) welcomed all in attendance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
There were several outstanding actions which were followed up:
Middleton Visitor Guide:
·         FF is currently working on the draft Visitor Guide with Julian Jefferson and agreed to bring this back to the next meeting.
Town Team Co-operative:
·         AB requested for 3-4 volunteers to form a small sub group to look at formally constituting the Town Team as a co-operative or social enterprise.
·         Anyone interested was asked to get in touch with Andrew directly: andrew.bradwell@rochdale.gov.uk / Tel: 01706 925605.
2.
Review of Pop Up Shop
·         FF gave a review of the Pop Up Shop which was open for 3 weeks during December and thanked everybody for their support.
·         Overall the initiative was very successful and an enjoyable experience.
·         The outcomes achieved were to help raise the profile of the Middleton Town Team, engage with residents on how they want to see the Town Centre improved, promote Middleton in a positive light and to bring an empty shop back into use.
·         The shop has now been converted into an Apprentice Shop which will remain open for another 3 months.
What worked well:
·         Offering pop up space for new start businesses.
·         Partnership working (bringing in various partners to showcase from the shop including Blue Orchid, Link4Life, Hopwood Hall College, 5Ways2Wellbeing, Middleton Arena and Positive Steps).
·         Consulting with local residents on how they would like to see Middleton town centre improved.
·         Running daily competitions and prizes - TN donated 10 x sets of car matts and Lords Butchers provided Calendars which we were given away each day as prizes.
·         Using the space to hold the Town Team meeting & launch event.
·         Acting as a mini Visitor Information Centre.
What didn’t work so well:
·         The arts & crafts sessions which people had to book on had to be cancelled due to lack of interest.
·         Unable to sell any of the Lords Butchers pop-up hampers.
Improvements:
·         Inviting more new start businesses to test trade from the shop.
·         Piloting some shop mobility scooters.
·         FF thanked everybody involved in making the pop up shop such a success and circulated the feedback received from the customers.
·         It was agreed to post the feedback on the Town Team Blog once this has been set up.
3.
Teenage Market
Joe Barrett from Stockport delivered a presentation & video on the Stockport Teenage Market.
·         The Teenage Market gives young entrepreneurs the opportunity to trade from a free market stall in a safe and creative retail environment within Stockport town centre.
·         The Teenage Market is complimented by offering space for performing artists creating vibrant festival environment.
·         Over 70 x young people applied to take part in the first Stockport Teenage Market which captured people’s imaginations and generated local, regional and national media interest.  
·         The event, which is now backed by Stockport Council, runs once a month, along with themed markets including Halloween, Christmas and Easter events.
·         Joe has developed a Toolkit and Licence which can be shared with other towns and provides advice and tips for running a successful Teenage Market, access to the Teenage Market branding, a database of over 200 market traders and an Online Portal and Town Page on the Teenage Market website and social media accounts.
·         The cost to purchase a 1 year licence is £750 or £1,000 for a 2 year licence.
·         There is also an optional insurance fee, but AT confirmed the Middleton Markets will already have an insurance policy which would cover a Teenage Market.
Comments from the Town Team:
There was a discussion around the possibilities of running a Teenage Market in Middleton.
·         AT said the Teenage Market could run on an existing market day – preferably a Saturday, but could be separated from the existing market and the Middleton Town Centre Management Company would be able to provide between 15 – 20 stalls.
·         It was suggested an ideal location would be outside Jon Miguel.
·         SO’T felt that Middleton presents the right location as it is not too far from Stockport and next door to Manchester, so would be able to attract some of the Stockport Traders, aswell as local teenagers.
·         It was also felt that the Teenage Market concept is still quite fresh and new and that it would be good to deliver this now, before everywhere else starts adopting it.
·         TW agreed and said she thought it was a brilliant idea and an excellent PR opportunity for the town.
·         TW has a lot of students coming in her shop for arts & crafts products and would be happy to promote the market to her customer.
Vote:
·         TN formally proposed the Town Team purchase a 2 year licence for the Teenage Market.
·         All Town Team members voted in agreement.
·         It was agreed to aim to run the first Teenage Market at Easter.
·         AT to lead on organising the Teenage Market.
4.
Town Team Communications
·         AJ demonstrated the Twitter Account he has set up for the Middleton Town Team.
·         The account name is: @MiddTT
·         At the next meeting Anthony offered to provide a 10minute training session on Twitter once he has had time build up traffic on the site and increased the number of followers.
·         AJ / FF will also aim to produce a Middleton Town Team Blog for the next meeting.
·         AJ to provide Twitter Training session at next meeting.
·         AJ / FF to produce Town Team Blog.
5.
Town Team Community Event – 25th March
·         A Town Team Community Event is being organised on 25 March to update the wider community on the achievements of the Town Team, present the 12-month Action Plan and give members of the wider community the opportunity to have their voices / ideas heard.
·         EJS pointed out when the Town Team was formed, there was interest from over 100 businesses and community groups to get involved.
·         All Town Team members are requested to attend this event.
6.
Town Team Finances
FF presented the Town Team Budget:
 
Total Budget
£25,000
£5000
Expenditure
Cost
VAT
Christmas Festival
£2,000
£400
Oktoberfest
£2,000
£400
Ambassador Training
£250
£50
Pop Up Shop Sign
£112
£22.40
Huddle (Logo prize)
£100
-
Pop Up Shop Launch Event
£65
-
Total expenditure
£4,527
£872.40
Remaining budget
£20,473
£4,127.60

7.
Any Other Business
Easter Event
·         AT requested the Town Team consider providing £2-3K towards an Easter Event in the town centre which could coincide with the Teenage Market.
·         The funds would be used to purchase a stage and PA system and pay towards marketing of the event.
·         Due to the lack of time organising an Easter event and the requirement to apply for a Temporary Event Notice, Adam explained a quick decision was required, as it would be too late to wait until the next meeting to await a decision.
·         There was a feeling around the group that the decision was being rushed and that the Town Team were not being presented with enough information.
·         Adam agreed to circulate a proposal and for members to vote via email.
·         TW said she liked the impromptu dancing on the street and the bustle it created rather than being staged.
·         PD suggested contacting the Middleton Township to make a contribution.
High Street Foundation 2nd Anniversary Event
·         FF invited all members to attend the above event being held on Thursday 13 February, 5.30pm – 8.30pm at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale.
·         AT & SO’T will be providing a review of the Middleton Town Team at this event and there will also be presentations from Lisa Durkin – the NW Town Teams Advisor and the Chairs of the Rochdale & Heywood Town Teams.
02 Business Event
·         Dean Lane promoted an O2 Business event being held in the Middleton store on Thursday 23 January, 6pm onwards to showcase the latest technology and priority moment deals.
·         All Town Team members are invited to attend.
Edgar Woods
·         FF circulated posters for a fund raising event being held at the Edgar Wood Centre to raise money for the restoration of the building and asked for businesses to display these in their shops.
·         All members are invited to the event on Saturday 8th Feb, 3.00pm at the Edgar Wood Centre.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting:
Middleton Festival
·         Peter Dawson asked if the Middleton Festival can be discussed at a future meeting. It is held the last weekend in July before the school holidays and if the weather is good can attract thousands.
·         Peter thought it would be a good idea to have a Town Team stall at the Festival.
·         AT offered to donate a gazebo for the Town Team stall.
Middleton Arena Cinema Nights
·         GD said the Arena have just purchased a HD projector and screen to show films / sporting events.
·         GD offered to host the next meeting of the Town Team and give a demonstration of the cinema screen.
·         AT to circulate Easter Event proposal and invite Town Team members to vote via email.
·         Include Middleton Festival as future Agenda Item.
·         Include Arena Cinema for future Agenda Item.
8.
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 20th February, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, Middleton Arena.






























MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
Thursday 16 January 2014, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
Middleton Arena
 
A G E N D A


ITEM
5.45pm
Minutes of previous meeting & review of actions
Adam Torevell (Chair)
10mins
5:55pm
Review of Pop Up Shop
Frances Fielding
10mins
6.05pm
Teenage Market
Ashleigh Webb
5mins
6.10pm
Town Team Communications
Anthony Jackson
10mins
6.20pm
Town Team Community Event
Elaine Simons
5mins
6.25pm
Town Team Finances
All
30mins
6.55pm
Any Other Business
5mins
7.00pm
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 20 February, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, venue TBC
----------------------------------------------------------------


























MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
Thursday 05 December 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Middleton Town Team Pop Up Shop
 
MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G
Attendees:
Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole –Boots (Vice Chair), Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Peter Dawson – Community Rep, Alison Johnson – Lords Butchers, Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Cllr June West, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, Paula Jones – RBS,
Apologies:
Jim Dobbin – MP, Ashleigh Webb – Middleton TCM, Cllr Jonathan Burns – RMBC, Claire Costigan– Middleton Arena,  Lee Todman – O2, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Cath Partington – McDonalds, Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre,  Allan Robinson – Tesco, Julian Jefferson – Link4Life
In Attendance:
Frances Fielding – RMBC (minutes), Andrew Bradwell – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Elaine Simons
No.

ITEM

ACTIONS
1.
Minutes of the previous meeting & review of actions
Adam Torevell (AT) welcomed all in attendance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
There were several outstanding actions which were followed up:
Town Team Bank Account
·         All information has now been sent to RBS –just waiting to receive bank account documents.
Ambassador Training
·         16 people have undertaken the Middleton Ambassador Training.
·         The total cost was £559 (Training Course Cost £450, Venue Hire Charges £109).
·         Link4Life have agreed to pay for half and the Town Team will pay for the other half.
Middleton Town Centre Visitor Guide
·         FF has met with Julian Jefferson – Link4Life and RMBC Comms regarding the production of a Middleton Visitor Guide.
·         RMBC Comms have agreed to fund the graphic design & print costs.
·         The draft document will be brought back to the Middleton Town Team at a later meeting for comment.
Middleton Town Team Logo Competition
·         The students who took part in the logo competition were invited to the launch event of the pop up shop and the winning logo was used on the shop sign and all future Town Team marketing materials.
·         Tesco provided a Tesco Huddle at cost price (£100) as the prize.
·         A press release has been issued to the local media.
·         The Town Team commented that it was nice to see and meet the students at the launch event.
·         FF to work with RMBC Comms / Link4Life on Visitor Guide.
2.
Pop Up Shop Activities
·         The Pop Up Shop opened on Monday 02 December and over 50 people attended the launch event which was a great success.
·         The shop will remain open until 20 December in order to raise the profile of the Town Team, consult with local residents on how they would like to see the town centre improved, and to positively promote Middleton.
·         The shop is being well used by partners including 5 Ways to Well Being, Link4Life, Blue Orchid, Middleton Arena, Positive Steps Careers Service, new start-up businesses, M24 Arts & Crafts and Hopwood Hall College.
·         I Love Middleton merchandise (bags, mugs & pens) are also being sold from the shop with any profits made being re-invested back into the Town Team.
·         Steve stressed that the biggest thing will be getting people’s thoughts on Middleton and listening to what people have to say.
·         Lisa Durkin the North West Town Teams Advisor has been very impressed with the work being undertaken by the Middleton Town Team and wants to use us as a case study to put forward to Brandan Lewis MP & High Streets Minister.
3.
Christmas Events and Small Business Saturday 7th December
·         The Christmas Lights Switch On event & reindeer parade was held on 15th & 16th November and was a success despite both Rochdale and Heywood holding their switch on events on the same date.
·         The Council have appointed an Events Manager (Sue Milne) and she will be co-ordinating an events calendar in future to hopefully avoid this happening in future.
·         Small Business Saturday which is a national campaign to support small businesses is being held on Saturday 7th December.
·         A Cash Mob will be held at 12noon outside the shopping centre – anybody can attend, just turn up with a fiver and an independent shop is drawn from a hat and everybody taking part visits that shop and agrees to spend their £5.
·         Jim Dobbin MP will be judging a best dressed Christmas Window Competition on the Day.
·         In addition, Shopping Crawls have been distributed to all the shops taking part in the scheme and this has been promoted in the Middleton Guardian and online.
4.
Town Team Co-operative
·         Andrew Bradwell presented options to the Town Team on setting up as a social enterprise to become more business-like.
·         Andrew and Frances have been approached by the Co-op who want to help more people and groups set up co-operatives.
·         The Town Team doesn’t have to become a co-op / social enterprise, but is just an idea worth exploring.
·         The advantages would possibly help attract future funding and would help the Town Team become more sustainable once the Council reduces its level of support.
·         The Council will be reviewing its level of support in March 2013.
·         The Town Team felt that they would require same level of assistance for another 12 months.
·         Peter Carey felt that moving into a more formal status would be a very good idea and it was agreed it would show there was an exit strategy for when the Council does withdraw support.
·         The Town Team also felt it is important to have a Council presence on the group because without this it would weaken the partnership.
·         It was agreed to pursue the idea further to formalise the Town Team structure.
·         Andrew Bradwell agreed to report back to the Co-op and identify the next steps.
·         AB to review next steps in forming a social enterprise / co-op.
5.
Feedback from Future of Town Centres Conference
·         FF recently attended the above conference and fedback on some of the highlights.
·         All of the presentations can be viewed on the following website: http://www.slideshare.net/PlaceNorthWest/mike-horner-future-of-town-centres
·         Although retail predictions are stark (by 2016 another 22% of high street shops will be closed), there are opportunities which must be capitalised on including:
o   Looking beyond retail & creating different uses for space (health, education, leisure, residential)
o   Landlords offering more flexible leases
o   National review of Business Rates
o   Growing importance of localism
o   Providing temporary facilities (pop up shops, market stalls, incubator space for new start businesses)
o   New approaches to car parking
o   Click & collect
o   Clean, safe & attractive town centres
o   Embracing technology
o   Creating town centre visionary documents / masterplans
o   Adapting town centres to consumer needs
o   Creating sustainable environments
o   Providing a service you can’t get over the internet (e.g. food & beverage)
o   Town centre cinema?
6.
Teenage Market
·         Adam has met with Joe Barret who set up the Teenage Market in Stockport as part of their successful Portas Pilot.
·         Teenage markets are run by teenagers selling products aged at a younger generation.
·         The Stockport Teenage Market is run once a month on a Sunday in the indoor market hhall.
·         Bev mentioned that the Rochdale Retail Ready Project was extremely  hard work getting young people to engage in the project and remain on the programme.
·         Adam said that if you buy the Teenage Market concept from Stockport then you receive their brand, their list of stall holders and a template website.
·         The cost is £700 for one year or £1,000 for 2 years.
·         The Town Team agreed it is worth pursing and Adam agreed to invite Joe Barrett to the next meeting of the Town Team.
·         Bev also said she would try and raise interest with the students at Hopwood.
·         AT to invite Joe Barrett to attend next meeting.
·         AT to send Teenage Market info to Bev to circulate to drum up interest with college students.
7.
Any Other Business
Town Team Communications
·         There was a discussion around communicating the work of the Middleton Town Team and it was agreed to set up a no cost website and Twitter Account for the Town Team.
·         Frances & Anthony agreed to do this and bring back to the next meeting.
Town Team Membership
·         Frances has been approached by Rochdale Online and Councillor Peter Winkler (who also runs a marketing business in Middleton) to ask if they can join the Town Team.
·         The Terms of Reference state that each year, for any members who wish to stand down, their seats will be open for re-election. Or if no members stand down, one new seat will be created.
·         The Town Team felt that it would not be fair to allow these additional members to join the group at this stage and to wait until elections are held later in the year.
·         FF / AJ to set up Town Team Twitter Account & Website.
8.
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 16 January, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, Anthony K Associates, Long Street, Middleton


--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 


MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING






















Thursday 24 October, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

Middleton Arena


MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G
Attendees:
Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole –Boots (Vice Chair), Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Peter Dawson – Community Rep, Alison Johnson – Lords Butchers, Ashleigh Webb – Middleton TCM, Cllr Jonathan Burns – RMBC, Claire Costigan– Middleton Arena,  Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Tina Wright – M24 Arts
Apologies:
Jim Dobbin – MP, Cllr June West, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, Paula Jones – RBS, Lee Todman – O2, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Cath Partington – McDonalds,
Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre, Pat Byrne &  Allan Robinson – Tesco,Julian Jefferson – Link4Life
In Attendance:
Frances Fielding – RMBC (minutes), Susan Ayres – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC, Elaine Simons
No.
  ITEM
  ACTIONS
1.
Minutes of the previous meeting & review of actions
Adam Torevell (AT) welcomed all in attendance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
There were several outstanding actions followed up:
Town Team Bank Account
·         Frances is working on opening the bank account and this will be completed by the next meeting.
Ambassador Training
·         Frances agreed to follow this up with Julian Jefferson who has been on leave.
·         Town Team members expressed a lot of interest in the training and would like to be invited to take part.
Middleton Town Centre Visitor Guide
·         Frances also agreed to follow up the Town Centre Map / Visitor Guide with Julian Jefferson.
·         It was suggested to liaise with Kerrie Smith who has produced several heritage maps to avoid any duplication.
2.
Town Team Logo Competition
·         Bev Harmstone presented artwork the Graphic Design students at Hopwood Hall College have produced as part of a competition to design the Town Team logo.
·         The Town Team chose the winning logo designed by Adham Mughal which shows the street scene in Middleton Town Centre.
·         Tina Wright offered to donate a £20 voucher from M24 Arts & Crafts to the Runner Up – Shay Doyle.
·         The Town Team agreed to contribute £50 towards the prize fund for the Winner.
·         FF agreed to organise a photograph with the winning student and the Town Team.
·         Bev agreed to prepare a press release which can be issued to the Middleton Guardian.
·         BH & FF to organise photo /press release.
3.
 
Oktoberfest
·         Adam gave an update on the Oktoberfest which was a huge success despite there being last minute problems with the event license which incurred unexpected costs due to the requirement to provide additional stewards.
·         This meant unfortunately the festival was only able to break even due to these unexpected costs, and therefore will not be able to return any of the £2,000 funds to the Town Team.
·         Members of the Town Team requested for the Profit & Loss account of the Festival to be circulated with the Minutes.
·         Other comments / feedback included; the beer tents running out of beer! Need more stock for next year, need some banners around the town centre & leaflets distributed around shops, good coverage in the MEN, look at alternative locations.
·         The Town Centre Management Company want to run the event next year and aim to make it a cost neutral event.
·         Footfall in the shopping centre was up by almost 800 movements on the previous Saturday.
·         FF to circulate Oktoberfest P&L Account with the Minutes.
4.
Christmas Events and Small Business Saturday
Ashleigh provided an update on Christmas activities in Middleton Town Centre.
·         The Christmas Lights Switch On event will take place on Saturday 16 November.
·         The Lights will be switched on at 6pm by the Mayor & Mayoress of Rochdale.
·         Blue Inc have donated £100 worth of shopping vouchers to be given away at the Switch On event.
·         Activities will take place from 12noon onwards and there will be live music and performance from local artists.
·         The Reindeer Parade is being held on Sunday 17 November.
·         A range of activities are being organised across the borough to promote Small Business Saturday on 7th December.
·         Activities in Middleton will include a Christmas Shopping Challenge, Shop Window Dressing Competition being judged by MP Jim Dobbin, and a Cash Mob.
·         Tesco have donated a £25 shopping voucher for the Christmas Shopping Challenge prize draw.
5.
Pop Up Town Team Hub
·         Anthony Jackson has been working with Andy Turner – RMBC Skills Manager who is opening a pop up skills shop for 3 months in Middleton town centre during Jan – March 2014.
·         Andy has agreed for the Town Team to occupy the shop the month prior (December) and will pay the rent and utility bills.
·         Anthony has been liaising with Howard from the Shopping Centre and the unit that has been agreed is the former O2 shop on the ground floor of the Shopping Centre.
·         Anthony & Frances will be based in the shop throughout December and the aim is to raise the profile of the Town Team, promote everything that Middleton has to offer and be used to consult with local residents on the town centre.
·         All Town Team members were asked to support the shop and use this themselves as a way to market their own businesses including supplying leaflets, wall displays, materials, products etc.
·         Tina Wright was interested in running some craft workshops from the shop and Claire Costigan thought Link4Life would be able to run some health checks etc.
·         Peter Dawson suggested selling some I LOVE Middleton merchandise within the shop (e.g. pens, shopping bags, stickers etc) as a fun gimmick, and felt that the local heritage should also be showcased.
·         It was also suggested to invite local students to be involved.
·         Funds will be required from the Town Team to pay for signage on the front of the shop and to purchase some of the merchandise – this was approved by the Town Team.
·         The Town Team logo will be used on the shop sign along with the Title and Slogan: “Middleton Town Team Pop Up Shop – Businesses & Communities working together for Middleton”.
6.
Car Parking Discussion
·         Cllr Jonathan Burns said a motion was put to Council last week to offer free parking on Bank Holidays and also the week before Christmas and the week of the January sales.
·         A wider car parking review is being undertaken and led by Cllr Jacqui Beswick and Jonathan promised to keep the Town Team informed of progress with this.
·         Peter Dawson felt that offering free parking for the first 20minutes was a great iniative that was working well in other towns.
·         Alison also said that Lords Butchers have lots of problems with disabled people parking in the loading bays which prevents lorry’s from being able to unload.
·         Susan Ayres said that in order to support the Car Parking Review, there needs to be evidence gathered from businesses and shoppers that free parking has had a direct positive impact for the town.
7.
Any Other Business
Warwick Mill
·         Susan Ayres confirmed a planning application has been submitted for Warwick Mill by Chinese investors to transform this building into a mixed use development along with the public realm around site.
·         It was suggested that a member of the Planning Team attend the January meeting to explain the plans in detail to the Town Team.
Teenage Market
·         Peter Dawson had visited the Stockport Teenage Market which he felt was exemplary and something which could be replicated in Middleton.
·         This is part of the Middleton Town Centre Management Company Business Plan for 2014 and Adam & Ashleigh agreed to present their proposals for this at the next meeting.
Arts & Craft Fair – Saturday 02 November
·         M24 Arts are holding a Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair in the shop on Saturday 02 November.
·         All members were invited to attend.
·         Invite RMBC Planning to present Warwick Mill plans at January meeting.
·         Include Teenage Market as Agenda Item for next meeting.
6.
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 05 December, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, Pop Up Shop, Ground Floor, Middleton Shopping Centre.





MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING























Thursday 12 September, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
Tesco, Middleton
MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G

Attendees:

Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM (Chair), Steve O’Toole –Boots (Vice Chair), Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Peter Dawson – Community Rep, Kirsty Williams – McDonalds, Alison Johnson – Lords Butchers, Ashleigh Webb – Middleton TCM, Cllr June West – RMBC, Claire Costigan– Middleton Arena,  Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre, Pat Byrne &  Allan Robinson – Tesco.


Apologies:

Jim Dobbin – MP, Cllr Jonathan Burns, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, Paula Jones – RBS, Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Lee Todman – O2, Susan Ayres – RMBC, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township.


In Attendance:

Frances Fielding – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC, Julian Jefferson – Link4Life, Elaine Simons.

No.

ITEM

ACTIONS

1.
2.

Welcome , Introductions & Apologies

·         Adam Torevell (AT) welcomed all in attendance.

·         The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.

·         There were no outstanding actions to follow up.
Grimsey Report
ES gave an overview of the Grimsey Report - an alternative view
of the High Street, produced by Bill Grimsey - ex Chair of Wickes
and Iceland.
The main report is very similar to the Portas Review -
commissioend by Government but there is great emphasis on
the impacts of Business Rates.
Tony Nugent has a contact for an independent consultant who
deals with business rates and can assist anybody regarding
business rates advice and appeals.
The Town Team noted the findings of the report.



 



 



3.

Town Team Finances – Frances Fielding

·         RMBC have awarded the Town Team an initial budget of £25K and it was agreed to open a bank account with RBS for these funds.

·         The account will be a basic bank account with cheque book and will require 4 x signatures.

·         It was agreed for the signatures to be the Chair & Vice Chair and a member of staff from Rochdale Council.

·         Tony Nugent agreed to take on the role of Treasurer and be the fourth signature.

·         Bank statements will be provided at every town team meeting and will be a standing item on the agenda.

·         FF to set up Town Team Bank Account.

4.

Action Planning – All

The draft Action Plan was presented and discussed by the Town Team.


Oktober Fest – Saturday 05 October

·         Middleton Town Centre Management Company are organising this event and requested £2K from the Town Team budget.

·         The Town Team approved £2K towards this event, on the understanding that any profits made from the event were paid back to the Town Team.


Christmas Lights Switch On

·         Middleton Town Centre Management Company requested £2k contribution towards the Christmas Lights Switch On event.

·         The Town Team approved this funding.

·         Tesco agreed to provide refreshments for the event.

·         MTCMCo will approach town centre shops to dress up their windows in a Christmas theme for the Switch On event.


Town Team Logo

·         It was agreed that any events / activities the Town Team fund / deliver should be branded to raise the profile of the Town Team,

·         Bev Harmstone offered to work with the Graphic Design students at Hopwood Hall College to design a Town Team Logo.


Middleton Town Centre Retail Prospectus

·         Anthony Jackson presented the draft Retail Prospectus and requested all to provide comments within 2 weeks.


Middleton Town Guide Mobile App

·         FF presented costings for the Rochdale App and download stats.

·         It was agreed to defer this until the New Year.


Middleton Ambassador Scheme

·         Julian Jefferson – Link4Life offered to match fund the cost of training 30 Middleton Town Centre Ambassadors.

·         The Town Team agreed to award £500 funding towards this.


Middleton Town Centre Leaflet and map

·         JJ requested £1k to produce a town centre leaflet to promote Middleton town centre to visitors.

·         Town Team approved funds and requested heritage offer to be incorporated into leaflet.


Events and PR calendar

·         It was agreed that all town centre events need to be promoted within an overall events calendar and PR strategy for the town.

·         It was agreed for MTCMC, the, Middleton Arena, Middleton Shopping Centre and Middleton Township to work together on this.


Christmas card competition

·         The Town Team decided to defer this project until next year as we are too far on in the year to proceed.


Middleton gardens clean up

·         At previous meetings, McDonalds have raised concern about the dirty pavements outside their restaurant in Middleton Gardens.

·         Town Team / council members have informed McDonalds they are allowed to clean the pavements outside their restaurant as long as they don’t use cleaning products that would damage the stone.


Pop up outdoor cinema

·         The Town team felt that this isn’t a pressing issue for the Town Centre at the moment and would like to defer this until after Christmas


Community stage in town centre / busk stops

·         Defer to next meeting.



Incredible edible

·         A small number of community reps are currently engaging with various groups & individuals to launch an Incredible Edible food growing project in Middleton town centre next year.

·         They have requested an Agenda Item for the next meeting of the Middleton Environment Forum.

·         Cllr June West raised concern that next year to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1st World War, hundreds of poppy’s will be scattered around the town centre, and was a higher priority than Incredible Edibles.


Car Parking

·         It was agreed to have a car parking as an Agenda Item for discussion at the next meeting.





·         £2K funds approved for OktoberFest.





·         £2K funds approved for Christmas Lights Switch On event.





·         BH to work with students to design Town Team Logo.


·         All to provide comments on the Retail Prospectus.






·         £500 funds approved - JJ to bring details of Ambassador Training to next meeting.


·         £1K funds approved for Town Centre Leaflet.


































·         Include Car Parking as agenda item for next meeting.

5.

Any Other Business

2013 Rochdale Business Awards

·         Rochdale Business Awards take place on Friday 8th November 2013. This year, there is a new category – Best High Street Retailer - sponsored by the boroughs three shopping centres. Closing date for entries is Friday 4th October.

·         For more information please visit the website: www.rochdalebusinessesawards.co.uk 


Small Business Saturday – 7th December

·         Government are pushing 7th December as Small Business Saturday and will be promoting a national campaign. Town centres are being urged to think about promotions / activities for this day that can be marketed under the brand of Small Business Saturday.

·         FF will co-ordinate a boroughwide town centres group to lead on ideas for this day.












·         FF to co-ordinate boroughwide Small Business Saturday offer.

6.

Time & Date of Next Meeting


Thursday 24 October, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, Middleton Arena.









MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING
























Thursday 12 September, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
Tesco Middleton
A G E N D A


ITEM




5.45pm

Minutes of previous meeting & review of actions

Adam Torevell (Chair)

5mins



5.50pm

Grimsey Report



10mins

6.00pm

Town Team Finances



10mins



6.10pm

Action Plan Review



40mins


6.50pm

Any Other Business

a). Rochdale Business Awards 2013

b). Small Business Saturday 7th Dec



10mins

7.00pm

Time & Date of Next Meeting


Thursday 24 October, 5.45pm – 7.00pm, venue to be confirmed.



 

MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING


























 Thursday 08 August, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton

 

MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G


























Attendees:
Elaine Simons (Chair), Cllr Jonathan Burns, Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM, Steve O’Toole –Boots, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Peter Dawson – Community Rep, Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Kirsty Williams & Catherine Partington – McDonalds, Alison Johnson – Lords ButchersAshleigh Webb – Middleton TCM, Lee Todman – O2
Apologies:
Jim Dobbin – MP, Cllr June West – RMBC, Claire Costigan / Graham Duckworth – Middleton Arena,  Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre, Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates,  Paula Jones – RBS, Allan Robinson – Tesco, Susan Ayres - RMBC
In Attendance:
Frances Fielding – RMBC, Anthony Jackson – RMBC, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Julian Jefferson – Link4Life
 

Welcome, Introduction & Apologies

  • Elaine Simons welcomed all in attendance.
  • The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate account.
  • There were no outstanding actions to follow up.

Terms of Reference

  • Frances Fielding presented the amended Terms of Reference.
  • At the previous meeting, members of the Town Team questioned the section on Conflicts of Interest and also Voting of Members.
  • Peter Carey helped re-draft the Conflicts of Interest section and the Voting of Members has been amended to allow existing members to remain on teh Town Team until they wish to stand down, rather than having to be re-elected every year.
  • The revised Terms of Reference were agreed by the Town Team.
Ideas & Action Planning
Elaine Simons presented a list of ideas that had been compiled from previous sessions to form part of the Middleton Town Centre Action Plan. The Town Team discussed these ideas:

Incredible Edibles Middleton



  • A meeting was held in Rochdale to launch an Incredible Edible scheme and a group of residents from Middleton have approached FF about delivering this in Middleton.
  • LM also confirmed the same group have approached Middleton Township for support.
  • BH updated that from September, Hopwood Hall College will be offering courses in horticulture and would be keen to get invovled and support this project.
  • In addition, Peter Dawson offered to promote this at Bowlee Park Primary School.
  • The Town Team agreed to include Incredible Edibles on the Action Plan and requested a project report for the next meeting to review.

  • Action: FF to contact Gardening Group for Project Report.

    Pop Up Outdoor Cinema

    • Middleton TCM have been looking into the cost of a pop up outdoor cineman in Middleton Gardens, the cost would be around £4,000.
    • Other additional costs will include licenses, seating etc.
    • Initial thoughts around the table were that this idea would be too expensive, but AW & AT agreed agreed to research further and update at the next meeting.
    Action: AW & AT to reserach further the costs of a pop-up outdoor cinema.

    Pop up Town Team Hub

    • AJ presented the idea of a pop up Town Team Hub using an empty retail unit in the town centre to give the Town Team a profile within the town centre and also the opportunity to consult with shoppers on the Action Plan.
    • AJ to look into possible locations and bring costs back to next meeting.
    Action: AJ to reserach costings and locations of Pop Up Town Team Hub.

    Family Themed Events

    • Middleton Town Centre Management Company have organised a series of family fun events throughout August including; Merlin's Magic, Model Railway, Wildlife Week, Clowns & Magic Tricks, Fun Fair and much more.
    • There was a discussion around marketing and joining up town centre events.
    • It was agreed to invite Chris Jones from the Middleton Guardian to attend the meetings of the Middleton Town Team and help promote initiatives in the local press.
    Action: AW to produce Tonw Centre Events Calendar.
    Action: FF to invite Chris Jones - Middleton Guardian to attend future Town Team meetings.

    Busk Stops

    • The Town Team were in support of creating designated areas in the town centre for musicians & artists to perform - it was agreed to include this within the Action Plan.

    Empty Shops Campaign

    • RMBC are working with the RDA to produce a Retail Prospectus for Middleton Town Centre - hopefully this should be available for the next Town Team meeting.
    • There was also a discussion about offering business rate incentives to attract new occupants into the empty shops.
    • TCM and Tina Wright are exploring the idea of running a Christmas Card competition within local schools and selling the winning cards from an empty shop.
    • It was felt that the timescales to run the competition may be too short, as a lot of people purchase Christmas Cards early (Oct / Nov) and rather than selling from an empty shop, a market stall may be a better alternative.
    Action: AW & TW to explor Christmas Card Competition further.

    Middleton Town Guide App

    • The Town Team were keen to condiser developing a Town Guide App for Middleton Town Centre and requested costings & download stats from Rochdale.
    Action: FF to obtain Town Guide App costings & download stats.

    Chewing Gum Removal

    • McDonalds raised the issue of chewing gum outside their shop and the paving in the Gardens but  have been told by RMBC they are not allowed to clean this themselves.
    • LM agreed to follow this up with Environmental Management.
    Action: LM to follow up chewing gum removal with Environmental Management.

    Appointment of Chair / Vice Chair

    A secret ballot was help to appoint the Chair & Vice Chair.
    • Adam Torevell - Middleton Town Centre Management Company was appointed Chair.
    • Steve O'Toole - Boots, was appointed Vice Chair.

    Time & Date of Next Meeting

    Thursday 12 September, 5.45pm - 7.00pm, Tesco, Middleton.


































    INAUGURAL MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING


    Tuesday 02 July, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

    Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton


    MINUTES   OF   M E E T I N G


    Attendees:
    Elaine Simons (Chair), Cllr June West, Adam Torevell – Middleton TCM, Steve O’Toole –Boots, Tony Nugent – Anthony K Associates, Peter Carey – Sedgwick Legal, Bev Harmstone – Hopwood Hall College, Peter Dawson – Community Rep, Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Kirsty Williams & Catherine Partington – McDonalds, Alison Johnson – Lords Butchers
    Apologies:
    Jim Dobbin – MP, Claire Costigan / Graham Duckworth – Middleton Arena, Lauren Mason – Middleton Township, Howard Gibbons – Middleton Shopping Centre, Susan Ayres – RMBC, Julian Jefferson – Link4Life, Ashleigh Webb – Middleton TCM.
    Absent:
    Lee Todman – O2, Peter Rowlinson – Middleton Heritage Group

    
    No.
    ITEM
    ACTIONS
    1.
    Welcome & Introductions
    ·      Elaine Simons (ES) acted as an independent Chair for the inaugural meeting of the Middleton Town Team until the Chair & Vice Chair are elected.
    ·      Members of the Town Team formally introduced themselves.
    ·      Tina Wright – M24 Arts, Peter Dawson – Community Rep both agreed to be put forward for Chair / Vice Chair & Steve O’Toole – Boot said he also may consider either of these roles.
    2.
    Terms of Reference
    Frances Fielding (FF) presented the draft Terms of Reference.
    ·         The Town Team agreed on the following vision statement: “…to help revitalise Middleton Town Centre by creating a bright image, a safe and attracting environment, supporting the development of a broad mix of retail, community & leisure uses that create a distinct town centre offer, appealing to residents and visitors alike. Using the Town’s public space, heritage, markets and specialist retail offer, our aim is to build on existing strengths and reignite pride in our Town.”
    The purpose of the Town Team is to:
    ·         Encourage collaboration amongst individuals and groups with an interest in Middleton Town Centre.
    ·         Lead on the development & implementation of a 12-month Action Plan to help revitalise and sustain Middleton Town Centre.
    ·         Represent the interest of stakeholders when reviewing project proposals submitted for approval / funding.
    ·         Monitor & review such projects.
    ·         Make sure the work of the Town Team is effectively communicated within the town.
    ·         Identify individual’s strengths within the Town Team who can take the lead on delivering activities.
    Membership:
    ·         The membership of the Town Team was agreed.
    ·         Apologies & absences were noted by the Town Team.
    ·         It was agreed to follow up absences and approach Tesco’s, the Banks & manufacturers to offer a seat on the Town Team.
    Election of Voting Representation:
    ·         It was agreed that any new members who wish to join the Town Team / stand down will be done at a annual meeting to be held each year in July.
    ·         All members must attend a minimum of 3 meetings in a rolling 6 month period.
    ·         Failure to attend may result in removal from the Town Team or voting rights.
    Frequency of Meetings:
    ·         It was agreed for meetings to be held every 6 weeks on Thursday evenings.
    Quorum:
    ·         Where decisions need to be made by voting representatives then at least two thirds of the Town Team must be present for a valid decision to be taken.
    Conflict of Interest:
    ·         There was concern that the wording around conflicts of interest needs to be amended as it could be construed that every body could have some conflicting interest be it business, personal or financial.
    ·         It was agreed that Peter Carey (PC) would help re-draft the wording for this section.
    The draft Terms of Reference were agreed subject to the above amendments.
    FF / ES to follow up membership with Tesco’s, the Banks & manufacturers.
    PC to provide support to re-draft the wording of the Conflicts of Interest.
    3.
    Action Plan & Resources
    Anthony Jackson (AJ) provided a snapshot of previous ideas submitted by young people / businesses on improving Middleton Town Centre which included:
    ·         More shops / eating places / places to socialise
    ·         Pop Up shops
    ·         Cinema
    ·         Bowling Alley
    ·         Improvements to the markets, Christmas markets
    ·         A safer town centre
    ·         More accessible town centre
    ·         Activities for children
    ·         Live music
    ·         More events
    ·         Student offer
    There was a discussion around ideas the Town Team would like to progress including:
    ·         Pop Up Open Air Cinema with outdoor seating (e.g. Deckchairs like in Spinningfields)
    ·         An annual event – e.g. MidFest
    ·         Improvements to Townley Street
    ·         Shop front improvements / window dressing
    ·         Developing a mobile town guide App
    ·         Improving social media presence
    ·         Promoting the Arts – joint marketing campaigns
    ·         Bringing empty shops back to use
    ·         Better signage around the town centre
    ·         Support packages to retain existing businesses but attract new businesses & shops to Middleton town centre
    Due to lack of time, it was agreed for Town Team Members to think about their own ideas and circulate to Frances Fielding to be reviewed at the next meeting.
    FF to circulate Focus Group Structure.


    All Town Team Members to email ideas for Action to FF.
    4.
    Appointment of Chair / Vice Chair
    Due to lack of time and possible additions to the membership of the Town Team (e.g. Tesco’s, Bank, Manufacturer) it was agreed  to defer the election of Chair / Vice Chair until the next meeting once any new members approached are also given the opportunity to stand for election.








    MIDDLETON TOWN CENTRE MEETING





























    Tuesday 04 June, 5.45pm – 7.00pm
    Hopwood Hall College, Middleton Campus
    NOTES   OF   M E E T I N G

    Welcome & Introductions





























        Peter Rowlinson - Planning & Regulation Service Director, RMBC welcomed all in attendance.
        The purpose of the meeting is to progress with forming a Town Team for Middleton.
    Middleton Town Team Update
    FF gave an update on progress since the last meeting:
    ·        Meetings held with town centre businesses and key stakeholders to generate interest in forming a Middleton Town Team.
    ·        The directive to form Town Teams has come from Central Government following their response to the Portas Review and support has been made available nationally to support Town Teams through the Association for Towns & City Centre Management (ATCM).
    ·        Over the past 12 months a lot of work has taken place to form a Town Team in Rochdale and develop and implement a short-medium term Action Plan to improve the vitality and viability of Rochdale town Centre.
    ·        Now rolling out this process in Heywood & Middleton. An initial budget of £25K will be allocated to the Middleton Town Team and support will be available through Rochdale Council, the Middleton Town Centre Management Company and Link4Life.
    ·        Rochdale Council will act as the Accountable Body for the Town Team funding.
    ·        The Town Team will be responsible to form and implement a short-medium term Action Plan for Middleton Town Centre.
    ·       Once membership is agreed, the Town Team will meet on a 6-weekly basis.
              Quarterly meetings of the High Street Foundation will be held in Middleton to engage with wider groups, individuals & businesses to update on progress and give people the opportunity to put forward their ideas / issues.
    PR gave an overview of the Middleton Town Team Structure:
    ·       The Town Team Structure will make sure that every stakeholder has a role in improving Middleton Town Centre and be able to influence the decision making process.
    ·       The Middleton Town Team itself will be a group of between 8 – 12 individuals, predominantly town centre businesses, who will drive forward ideas and actions to improve the vitality and viability of Middleton Town Centre, with the support of key partners: Rochdale Council, Middleton Town Centre Management Company and Link4Life.
    ·       The Town Team will feed into the Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation, which will act as a wider group that discusses and lobby’s the various town centre issues.
    ·       The RMBC Town Centres Steering Group is a new strategic board set up within the Council to support the borough’s Town Centres and will be chaired by Mark Widdup, Executive Director for Economy & Environment, Rochdale Council.

    Town Centre Boundary





























    ·        PR outlined a proposed boundary for Middleton Town Centre.
    ·         The boundary sets out the parameters in relation to the work of the Town Team.
    ·         It was agreed to use the river as the boundary and extend to Townley Street to incorporate M24 Arts    & Middleton Popstars, the Arena, Library and the Lighthouse Project.
    ·         PR agreed to draw up a revised boundary

     

    Proposed Membership / Structure:





























    Make up 70% Business - 30% Community
    ·         Middleton Town Centre Management Company
    ·         Lords Butchers
    ·         M24 Arts
    ·         Middleton Shopping Centre
    ·         Boots
    ·         O2
    ·         Anthony K Associates
    ·         Sedgwick Legal
    ·         Hopwood Hall College
    ·         Community rep (Peter Dawson)
    ·         McDonalds
    ·         Middleton Arena
    ·         Rochdale Council
    The above membership structure was agreed and will form the Middleton Town Team.

     

    Middleton Town Centre Management Company Update






























    Adam Torevell (Company Director) gave an overview of the Middleton Town Centre Management Company. Middleton Town Centre Management also own the Middleton Markets Company.





























    ·         There have been a lot of staff changes and a new management team recently appointed.
    ·         A lot of focus has been reflecting on where the company currently is and priorities for the next 12 months. Four priorities have been identified:

    1.   Zoning the Market





























    ·         Identified 2 x types of market consumers that want to grow: Children and the Grey Pound.
    ·         Therefore the market will be zones into a children’s zone, general merchandise zone and hot food zone.


    2.   Grow the Number of Independent Market Traders





























    ·         Peppercorn rents to be offered for one month to encourage more independent traders onto the market.


    3.   Business Engagement





























    ·         Improve engagement with town centre businesses.

    4.   Events





























    ·         Deliver a Summer Events Programme
    ·         Christmas Light Switch On Event – Nov 2013
    ·         Easter Event 2014

    Questions / Comments:





























    C. There was general consensus that Tuesday’s are one of the busiest days and this is probably due to the fact it is Flea Market Day. There were concerns that zoning the market may have a negative impact on the Flea Market.
    A: AT confirmed that Tuesday’s will not be changed and remain as Flea Market days due to their success.
    C. Tina Wright will be holding a craft fair at M24 Arts on 23 June for local crafters to sell their hand made products. She is hoping this will become a permanent event and would like to link in with the Middleton Markets Company.

     

    Open Forum

     

    ·          The membership of the Town Team was agreed at the meeting and the inaugural meeting will be     organised for the beginning of July.
    ·         The wider group will be kept informed of progress via email and invited to quarterly workshops.
    ·         Henry West raised the importance of supporting the evening economy.
    ·         It was agreed that the Town Team will initially focus on the day time and then develop a separate action plan for the night time economy.
    ·         PR added that the Town Team isn’t supposed to be a short term initiative and is here for the long term.
    ·         Elaine Simons had carried out some focus groups with young people in Middleton and they were very keen to get involved with opening a pop up shop and running a market stall.
    ·         Stockport have been running teenage markets and this was something that Hopwood Hall College felt their students may like to get involved with.
    ·         Adam Torevell said the Markets Company would be willing to trial market events like this.
    ·         Steve O’Toole – Boots suggested a way to keep in touch in between meetings by setting up an online portal.
    Time & Date of Next Meeting





























    To be confirmed.


     


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation

    MIDDLETON TOWN TEAM MEETING

    Wednesday 24 April 2013, 5.45pm – 7.00pm

    Middleton Arena

    NOTES   OF   M E E T I N G

     The presentations from this meeting are available to view here: Middleton Presentations

    No.
    ITEM
    ACTIONS
    1.
    Welcome
    ·      Peter Rowlinson - Planning & Regulation Service Director, RMBC welcomed all in attendance.
    ·      The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of Town Teams – what they are, how they work and how to explore the process of setting up a Town Team for Middleton.
    2.
    Vision, Aims & Objectives for Middleton Town Team
    Debbie O’Brien – Rochdale Town Centre Manager & Chair of the NW Association for Towns & City Centre Management (ATCM) delivered a presentation on the Town Teams process Rochdale has been through over the last 12 months:
    ·         Government recommendation, following the Portas Review to establish Town Teams in order to provide a visionary, strategic and operational management for town centres.
    ·         Rochdale Town Centre Management Company is a not for profit organisation that has been operating for 20 years and rather than re-invent the wheel –the Board has temporarily taken on the role as “Town Team” for Rochdale.
    ·         The Board is made up of a partnership of key stake holders who share the same aspiration – to improve the vitality and viability of Rochdale town centre – and work effectively together to achieve this vision.
    ·         Membership is a mixture of public / private sector partners including; Marks & Spencer, Boots, River Island, the Rochdale Observer, RMBC, Transport for Greater Manchester, evening  venues, independent retailers, and  the Wheatsheaf and Exchange shopping centres.
    ·         Through consultation with over 200 members of the Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation, an Action Plan has been developed to deliver a range of short – medium term priorities to improve Rochdale town centre.
    ·         The Middleton Town Team may be developed through an existing structure like in Rochdale via the Middleton Town Centre Management Company.
    ·         The key to a successful Town Team is having the right people around the table without conflicting interests, people with a shared vision – to improve the vitality of Middleton Town Centre, being realistic in terms of delivery and effective communications.
    Questions:

























    What types of things have been delivered in Rochdale that have been successful?

    Things that haven’t cost a great deal of money which have been very successful have been simple things like Independent Shopping Crawls done at Christmas & Easter, whereby a map / crawl guide of the independent shops has been produced and shoppers have to visit each shop to obtain a stamp. The Crawls have been targeted at Children, awarding a free gift e.g. chocolate egg to children handing in a completed Crawl.
    There is support and ideas available from the ATCM via their 100ways to improve the high street website: www.100ways.org.uk and also the Independent Retail Champion – Claire Raynor who supports independents and provides virtual support online: www.retailchampion.co.uk
    Other initiatives have included developing a Retail Prospectus for Rochdale Town Centre to attract new retailers into the town, delivering events such as the Feel Good Festival, and utilising social media for marketing and communication purposes.
    It was acknowledged that big events do have a positive reputational impact - MidFest has been particularly successful event for Middleton in recent years. There was a comment that the MidFest has previously been held on a Sunday and the shops have been closed.
     In the past we have formed these groups, but nothing has come out of it. Why will it be any different this time?
    The key is that even though the Board members are not being paid – they are volunteers - you need to appoint positions and identify people that are good at their strengths e.g. marketing, finance, communicating etc. You almost need Job Descriptions for the Board members to make sure you have the right make-up, eliminate conflict, and ensure that the meetings are about action and don’t just become a “talking shop”.
    Cllr Terry Lindon felt that Middleton should be leading Middleton and that things such as the Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation are too Rochdale focused.
    ·         The Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation has over 200 active members, represented from businesses across the borough.
    ·         A separate database of businesses is currently being developed for Middleton town centre, which has contact details now for over 120 town centre businesses.
    ·         The Middleton Town Centre Management Company has been through a huge re-structure, with the previous Town Centre Manager leaving and the new post holder currently on maternity leave so Rochdale are only offering their support and assistance.
    ·         The purpose of forming a Middleton Town Team is to ensure it is representative of the stakeholders of Middleton.
    ·         The Town Team will have greater powers to influence the Council and others to get things done in Middleton Town Centre.
    ·         The Middleton Town Centre Management Company will be taking a key role in the Town Team and it was acknowledged that there was a very active business forum in Middleton a few years ago but that this has since dissolved, and that the High Street Foundation will be able to help resurrect this and feed back into the Town Team / Middleton TCMCo.
    3.
    Renaissance Middleton
    Kerrie Smith – RMBC Planning gave an update on Renaissance Middleton:
    ·         In 2011,the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £2m to regenerate parts of Middleton town centre including repairing and restoring Middleton’s heritage assets.
    ·         A promotional film on Middleton’s heritage assets has been produced by local photographer – Andy Marshall which is helping change perceptions of the town and has been shortlisted for a Sony Award. The video is being promoted via social media: which is being promoted via social media:  http://productionawards.sony.eu/the-arena/view/c40d712a48e8f9c2b0d49911d654b90c
    ·         A 2013 Heritage Events Calendar has been developed and leaflets were circulated:
    ·         Golden Cluster Month and Heritage Open Days will be returning in September and the Golden Cluster buildings will be open for members of the public to visit throughout the month – last year 500 people visited.
    ·         The Edgar Woods heritage trails have been very popular, with a group of 40 visitors in Middleton today who thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the trail and left with an extremely positive view of Middleton.
    ·         The key is getting these visitors into the town centre to spend some money.
    ·         Anybody who would like more information on Renaissance Middleton can contact Kerrie on tel: 01706 924352 or email: Kerrie.smith@rochdale.gov.uk
     
    4.
    Town Team Structure
    Elaine Simons – Town Teams Advisor, gave an overview of forming a Town Team:
    ·         Looking for between 8 – 10 people who would be interested in become a members of the Middleton Town Team.
    ·         The meetings will be structured and will be about delivering action and not just a talking shop.
    ·         The High Street Foundation will keep Middleton businesses updated on progress of the Middleton Town Team and the Middleton Guardian have also agreed to regularly communicate progress.
    ·         Elaine asked people interested to complete and return an Expression of Interest to join the Town Team.
    5.
    Progress Update
    Frances Fielding – Economic Affairs, RMBC gave an update on Middleton Town Centre Progress:
    ·         A workshop was held  in February with 30+ delegates to discuss ideas / issues for Middleton Town Centre.
    ·         Focus groups have been held with young people from Cardinal Langley and Hopwood Hall College to understand a young person’s perception of the town centre.
    ·         A database of town centres businesses has been developed and will be used for all future communications.
    ·         A draft Action Plan has been devised to pull together ideas gathered above.
    ·         The Middleton Town Team will be allocated a budget of £25K to deliver their action plan to improve Middleton Town Centre.
    ·         RMBC will be the Accountable Body for the funds, but decisions on how the money is spent will be made by the Middleton Town Team.
    ·         FF to share database with Middleton TCMCo.
    6.
    Summary
    ·         It was agreed to distribute Expressions of Interest for anybody wishing to join the Middleton Town Team.
    ·         The next meeting has been arranged for 2 weeks time but it was felt this was too soon, and will be re-arranged for in 4 weeks time.
    ·         FF to circulate the Action Plan and for people to send in their comments / ideas.
    ·         FF to circulate Expressions of Interest.
    7.
    Time & Date of Next Meeting
    Tuesday 04 June, 5.30pm – 7.00pm, Middleton Arena.





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