January- 31 December 2022 - Explanatory Notes - Kingston First
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Explanatory Notes 1 January— 31 December 2022
Who are Financial
Kingston First? Overview
Kingston First is a business improvement district (BID) which The below forecast and budget are Business priorities reflect our Renewal
indicative and based on our Financial Year Proposal themes. Additional funding
operates within Kingston town centre. Set up in accordance with
(April to March). Full year-end 2021/22 includes running and managing the
the Local Government Act 2003, it is a not-for-profit company, accounts will be provided in Spring 2022, Ancient Market Place and project
limited by guarantee and principally funded by a levy. This levy is alongside 2021/22’s Annual Report. contributions.
used to provide additional projects and services to those provided
by Kingston Council and other public agencies.
2021/22 Forecast 2022/23 Budget
The company is governed by a voluntary How is Kingston First funded? Levy income £812,809 Levy income £827,091
board of directors who represent a
cross-sector of the town’s business Kingston First is principally funded Additional funding £628,662 Additional funding £398,363
community. They are responsible for through a levy on non-domestic Total £1,441,471 Total £1,225,454
overseeing the delivery of the agreed premises operating within the BID
business plan. A dedicated team is area. The BID area can be viewed on Spend against business priorities Spend against business priorities
delegated responsibility for its delivery our website. is budgeted as follows: is forecast as follows:
and the management of the company. For 2022, the levy is set at 1.03% of the
Kingston First was the first BID set up in rateable value of properties on the 2017 Attractive streets & spaces £390,500 Attractive streets & spaces £240,000
the country and following a successful Non-Domestic Ratepayers rating list in
renewal ballot in June 2019, started its accordance with the Renewal Proposal. Marketing the town £249,500 Marketing the town £245,000
fourth five-year term on 1 January 2020. The projected levy income for 2022 is Supporting & informing £201,000 Supporting & informing £170,000
As set out in the Renewal Proposal approximately £827,091. In addition
2020 2020-24, our work will focus on to the levy, Kingston First is able to Influencing & representing £125,000 Influencing & representing £152,000
our key themes; generate additional funding to contribute
Overheads £161,000 Overheads £166,500
towards the delivery of the Renewal
- Attractive Streets & Spaces
Proposal; this includes running Markets £288,500 Markets £288,500
- Marketing the Town
commissioned services and applying
- Supporting & Informing
for grants, project and service Contingency £20,000 Contingency £20,000
- Influencing & Representing
contributions.
To view the Renewal Proposal and Public Realm Transformation £125,000 Public Realm Transformation £125,000
details about our projects and services
Total £1,560,500 Total £1,407,000
in more detail, please visit our website.
How Do I Pay?
Payment instructions are found on your
bill. Kingston Council issues the BID levy
bills, collects the levy and transfers the
funds to Kingston First. For all billing
queries, contact the Council team shown
on your bill.
Support for members
One of our most popular services, the free
recycling service operated through First
Mile, continues to be valuable for many of
our members with over 200 businesses
taking advantage of the scheme.
We installed 122 seasonal hanging baskets
and sustainable planting. We replanted
and continue to maintain two raised brick
flower beds with a mixture of pollinator
friendly evergreen and perennial plants. centre experience and lobbying for
We delivered 37 days of pavement funding. We carried out extensive
washing, including the removal of research with our member community
graffiti and weeding. giving you the opportunity to share your
We recently launched a new training feedback, which is key to ensuring we
programme to support members and help are giving you the best service possible,
their employees enhance their knowledge and to enable us to share your feedback
base and build on essential skills. There is with the Council and other partners.
something for everyone, across all sectors, We carried out extensive research with
touching on three key themes which have
Our Work and
We adapted our training programme consumers, locals and non-visitors to
to provide webinars and training online been identified through our research with Kingston to better understand their
during COVID-19, covering topics to help members; Sales & Marketing; Health &
Achievements
motivations for coming to the town
our businesses through the challenges of Safety; and The Sustainability Agenda. centre and understand what they would
the year, including improving their social like more of. We shared this invaluable
in 2021
We set up weekly footfall reports during
media presence and marketing, access the pandemic which we continue to send, insight with members to help them
to funding, improving mental health, and along with a monthly roundup of footfall, understand the opportunities to improve
support with reopening. We hosted vacancies and other data - benchmarked their product, service or experience
Continuing to respond webinars with the local MP Ed Davey, against London and the UK - so you know offered to consumers.
to COVID-19 former Leader of the Council, how Kingston compares to its
Caroline Kerr and Kate Nicholls, competitors. Promoting Kingston
We continued to work closely with CEO of UK Hospitality. town centre
businesses and organisations to respond We have continued to listen and respond
to concerns and issues that members
to the impact of COVID-19. We adjusted Representing town centre have raised; from proposed road closures,
We delivered marketing campaigns to
our Christmas plans in light of restrictions businesses and organisations street cleaning to improving the town
drive footfall and spend in our town
and provided new Christmas lighting and centre. We delivered a campaign for
installations for people to enjoy during a We supported the national campaign Christmas, adapted due to restrictions,
difficult period. Over 60% of respondents ‘Bounce Back Better’ which called for to promote offers from local businesses,
in our consumer survey said it encouraged specific support for the retail, leisure and which garnered awareness of over
them to visit Kingston. We also supported hospitality sectors including an extension 70% from those who responded to our
members by promoting opening hours, of the business rates holiday, extending consumer research.
offers and encouraged people to shop the VAT reduction scheme and furlough
local where possible on our website and We continued with campaigns for the
scheme to support employers in 2021.
social channels. series of Thumbs Up It’s Thursday events
We secured additional funding from which over 60% of those raising a family
We co-ordinated the town wide reopening the government which we are investing in our consumer research said had
in April 2021, working closely with back into the town centre experience, encouraged them to visit the town
members and partners and made sure including better public spaces to centre, and delivered our first well-being
members felt supported with the most encourage well-being and revitalising campaign which was hugely successful
up to date information and guidance. our vacant units. and popular with the local community.
Plans for
Kingston based landscape architects
Davies White Ltd and The Edible Bus
2022
Stop design studio were appointed to
lead on the engagement and design
to transform Eagle Brewery Wharf,
on Kingston’s riverside, and Memorial
Gardens, in the centre of the town, Christmas 2021 Vacant units
into green spaces that improve the
pedestrian flow around the town, We’ve been working on a project to
encourage wellbeing, social and We have planned and will deliver an
transform the vacant units in Kingston
cultural activities, and acknowledge exciting and varied offer for Kingston this
town centre to support economic
their historical significance. Christmas to help drive footfall and spend
growth, encourage innovation and
in the town centre.
We have carried out extensive diversity and create a vibrant place
engagement online and in-person to live, work and play.
with businesses, residents and local New consumer brand
We’ve been reaching out to landlords,
community groups to hear what people for Kingston
agents and the local community to
For re-opening in April 2021, we delivered think of the spaces, and now have design explore new opportunities through the
‘Colour Your Senses’, a vibrant campaign ideas and principles that we can take We are currently embarking on a project use of vacant units, creating a buzz and
encouraging locals and visitors to forward to make this project a reality. to refresh our consumer brand ‘In vibrancy in our town centre, and look
rediscover what’s on offer in Kingston, Kingston’. Over the last few months we forward to sharing our progress over
Businesses have highlighted to us the
with over 50% awareness amongst those have been researching competitors and the next few months.
importance of creating a vibrant and
that responded to our consumer research. analysing our recent member research
welcoming town centre. One of the ways
Our social campaign alone reached over which highlighted a lack of awareness of
we are addressing this is through our Keep It Kingston
96,000 people, generating 14,500 the ‘In Kingston’ brand and a need for
‘Social Spaces’ project in partnership
engagements with the posts. Our consumer marketing to drive footfall and
with the Council. Following engagement
consumer newsletter highlighting events support the town’s economic recovery. We are building on the success of
with businesses, residents and access
in Kingston, raising the profile of our KIK, which is well known and regarded
groups we delivered temporary planters We’ve also carried out extensive
members and advertising their offers, by businesses as a fantastic perk for
and seating to Thames Street, Fife Road research with consumers and visitors
continues to be very popular with 75% their employees, by investing in better
and the Station Plaza. to better understand their needs and
of consumers in our research rating it reporting and marketing, to boost
what they love about Kingston. With
good or very good. member participation, especially in
this insight, we want to create a consumer
under-represented sectors, sign ups,
We secured PR coverage in the Surrey brand that positions Kingston as a vibrant
and redemptions. In consultation with
Comet, Time and Leisure, Radio Jackie destination bringing it to life and giving it
businesses we will look at whether
and SW Londoner helping to raise the a personality that represents its unique
we can expand the app to visitors
profile of Kingston town centre. offer and experiences. We will be
and further maximise the benefit of
launching the new consumer brand
We have promoted our KIK app, with the service.
in early 2022.
nearly 100% awareness, over 100 offers
Further details about our projects,
advertised, 5000 users and nearly
services and plans for the new term
300 redemptions per month.
can be found on our website at
kingstonfirst.co.uk
Investment in the public realm
and town centre experience
In partnership with Kingston Council
we have been leading on a public realm
initiative to create inclusive ‘Happy
Spaces’ within the town centre for
local residents, visitors and business
community to unwind, enjoy and
connect with nature.
For enquiries about Kingston First, For payment and please contact: billing enquiries: Kingston First Royal Borough of 3rd Floor Neville House Kingston Council 55 Eden Street Guildhall 2 Kingston upon Thames Kingston upon Thames Surrey KT1 1BW Surrey KT1 1EU T 020 8547 1221 T 020 8547 5007 info@kingstonfirst.co.uk bids1@rbk.kingston.gov.uk kingstonfirst.co.uk kingston.gov.uk Company Registered in England No.3838618
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