The Big Heart BulletinWelcome to the second edition of The Big Heart Bulletin, an exciting newsletter giving you up-to-date information about the latest initiatives and projects from The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil Business Improvement District.

The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil October 2013

The TeamThe Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil is committed to delivering a range of projects and services which will make a lasting difference to the town’s business community.

It is managed by a board made up of business owners and managers, landlords and representatives of the third and public sectors. The board’s members are happy to meet you or visit you in your premises to discuss any aspect of the BID’s work and what it can do to help you. Members are:

Les Byard ~ St. Tydfil Shopping Centre Steve Jones ~ Fountain StoresHuw Walters-Davies ~ Barclays Steve Morgan ~ Cosmetics4UKaren Courts ~ Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association Rachel Griffiths ~ BootsDean Thomas ~ Café Express & LunchBox Corner Jorge D’Ascencao ~ New Crown InnAlison Harris ~ Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil Ann Balston ~ Ann’s FlowersBrendan Toomey ~ Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

The projects and services delivered by the BID are managed by the BID Co-ordinator, Antonia Pompa. If you would like to know more or get involved, please get in touch.

Build Up to ChristmasRecognising how crucial the Christmas trading period is to our businesses, we are currently finalising the town’s biggest ever Christmas marketing campaign. Look out for our adverts on buses, in trains, on radio, in the newspapers and on outdoor advertising sites as well as across our social media platforms.

The Big Heart is also working with the council to make the switch-on of the Christmas lights the most spectacular ever! Taking place on Saturday 16 November, the festivities will take place throughout the town centre before climaxing at 5pm in Market Square (above Halifax) with a fabulous switch-on with Moshi Monsters, Katsuma and Poppet, and Jagger and Woody from Real Radio.

We have also negotiated with the council for 6 Saturdays of free parking in the town centre to encourage visitors into the town and to stay for longer during the peak shopping period. In addition, a free Christmas Park & Ride service will be operating from Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Village to the central bus station from 10am to 5pm every day (except Sundays) from Saturday 16 November until Tuesday 24 December, supported by the BID and the council.

Free car parking every Saturday from 16 November to Christmas

The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil13 Wheatsheaf Lane

Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AY

Tel: 01685 726272Email: antonia@thebigheart.net

Facebook: We Love MerthyrTwitter: @welovemerthyr

Free Christmas Park & Ride Service from 16 November to 24 December (except Sundays)

Support your local businessOur ‘shop local’ campaign is in full swing with posters and thank you cards being distributed at the moment, adverts on local buses and the release of our Town Centre Stories video. Take a look at our We Love Merthyr Facebook page to keep in touch with what’s going on.

Exciting grant scheme for shop front improvementsWe have grants of up to £600 available for Big Heart businesses wanting to improve their shop or business frontage.

Possible applications might include redecoration, renewed signage, awnings, new windows/doors or improved disabled access. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity! To find out more get in touch with Antonia on 01685 726272.

Launch of We Love Merthyr websiteWe’ll be launching our website on 1st November, ready for the busy Christmas period. The newly developed site will have a directory of town centre businesses, a section for your vouchers and special offers, a what’s on events section and essential information for visitors to the town centre.

It will also contain an area for Big Heart businesses where you can find out about our ongoing projects and initiatives.

We’re very excited about the website so take a look in November and get involved with your special offers and events information.

www.welovemerthyr.co.uk

Blooming wonderfulThe Big Heart had funded a host of new floral displays and gateway improvements over the last few months to brighten up the town centre and make it a more attractive place to visit.

Projects have included tiered planters at the entrance to the bus station, an additonal100 hanging-baskets and seasonal displays at the southern end of town.

Over the winter, the Caedraw roundabout will be replanted to provide colour and interest at this key entrance to the town from February to October.

Cleaning up the town centreWe have joined with the council to fund a new ‘grimebuster’ cleaning machine which will help make the town centre much cleaner. This means that the chewing gum and general staining of the granite paving accumulated over several years is being cleaned away and the town is beginning to be a much more pleasant place to visit.

The council is currently targeting a clean up of the bus station, working on Sundays, and you can certainly see the difference.

Save money on your energy bills and reduce your consumptionWe are working with the Development Trust Association Wales to help businesses get the best possible price for their energy through the power of collective purchasing. Already, some businesses have made savings of up to 20%. To find out more, phone Ken or Natalie on 02920 190260.

We also have grants of up to £960 available for changes that will reduce your energy usage and, therefore, costs. This might be by replacing bulbs with more energy efficient light fittings, installing a voltage optimiser or replacing an older piece of office equipment. To find out more, phone Antonia on 01685 726272.

Facebook: We Love Merthyr Twitter: @welovemerthyrWebsite: www.welovemerthyr.co.uk