On Monday 23 April, an inaugural meeting of the Independents Advisory Group was held.
One of the projects earmarked for the BID’s third term delivery as part of its ‘Positioning and Promoting Winchester’ objective is to assist with the set-up and facilitation of a group, which will have responsibility for an annual spend of £50,000, which ultimately is to provide a programme of campaigns and projects that specifically support independent businesses within the retail and food and drink sectors.
The BID welcomed up to 16 applications from BID independent levy paying businesses to join the group and membership is as follows:
| Retail | Food & Drink |
| Alice Duffield, Vintage Hound | Alex Donnan, Coffee Lab |
| Cat Brandwood, Toscanaccio (CHAIR) | Gary Whiter, Cabinet Rooms (VICE CHAIR) |
| David Hill, Parchment Jewellers | Jayne Gillin, The Little Pub Group |
| Donna Laine, Donna Laine Jewellery | Libby Hayes, Chococo |
| Harriet France, Jeremy France Jewellers | Marcelo Pugliese, The Old Vine |
| Mark Benzie, Park Life Kids | Mark Dodd, The Chesil Restaurant |
| Martin Smart, Cornflowers | Shah Abdul, Manow |
| Rachael Smith, Rawlings | Vacant |
To feedback an idea to promote independent business in Winchester, please do make contact with your nearest neighbour or sector representative. The group will be meeting again early in May to finalise a programme of projects to be delivered over the next few months.
