The Havant Business Group News |
Lights switch-on goes with a bang
By
Alex Forsyth
Hundreds of onlookers braved the cold to see Havant's skyline
transformed into a sparkling street scene on Saturday.
The crowds were entertained by live music as the lights were
switched on to mark the start of the festive season.
Havant Mayor Cllr Victor Pierce- Jones performed the honour.
He said: 'It was absolutely fantastic.
'There was an absolutely wonderful band and a real carnival spirit
to the event. The weather was fine and many people turned up to
enjoy the evening.'
Havant town centre was taken over by fairground rides for youngsters
to enjoy.
And after the lights were switched on the sky was awash with colour
as a spectacular firework display got under way to mark the moment.
Cllr Pierce-Jones added: 'There were fireworks which were splendid,
and a wonderful carol service which got everyone in the mood
'It really was a great night in Havant and the lights look lovely.'
The News
03 December 2007
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Great news for Havant businesses
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The Havant Town
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restaurants and businesses - download it
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Improvements to West Street Are now
complete
AGORA PROJECT PROMOTES CHRISTMAS AWARDS
The AGORA Havant Town Centre Project awarded certificates to retailers'
Christmas window displays created during thelestive trading period, judged
to be the best.
Street's of Havant, the ironmonger, tools and hardware store in East
Street, was the overall winner, and was judged to have a very festive,
traditional and colourful display. Second place went to Forget-Me-Nots,
the North Street florist, for their modern and innovative festive feature,
and third place went to House of Weddings, also of North Street, for their
festive, sophisticated, and comprehensive display. MacKays won the best
national store chain category.
There were also a number of 'Highly Commended' and 'Well Done' winners
of certificates. These fun awards were given to encourage Christmas window
displays of a high standard and create a festive atmosphere for the Town
Centre and its shoppers.
CHRISTMAS 2007 IS NOT FAR AWAY!
The AGORA Project supported Havant Town Centre's Christmas promotion in
December 2006 with full-page colour advertisements and other
advertisements in The News and The Journal, as well as
full-colour leaflets, posters and banners, plus other marketing activity.
Working in close partnership with Havant Business Group and Havant
Borough Council, the AGORA Project part-funded the Christmas Lights and
funded the spectacular Firework Finale in Havant Park, the last event of
the night on the 1st December, following a successful day of
events to launch the Christmas trading period.
Peter Hammond, the AGORA Project Manager said, "We have already had a
meeting with the Havant Business Group's events team to look at 2007 and
have made some decisions to improve on 2006. We especially wish to improve
the Christmas Lights and encourage greater involvement with the new owners
of the Meridian Centre, as well as the new retail parks in the Town
Centre, which plan to be opening during this year, adding to Havant's
retail offer for the general public. Our plan is to have a greater festive
visual impact for all see and enjoy."
HAVANT TOWN CENTRE BIDS FOR WIFI HOTSPOTS
Three Havant Town Centre businesses have been assisted by the AGORA
Project to bid for a free BT Openzone hotspot, offering wireless broadband
connection for any individuals and customers with a WiFi enabled laptop
computer.
eHampshire are working in partnership with BT Openzone to provide 50
new wireless hotspots and enhance the existing county-wide WiFi network,
in an effort to increase footfall, with resulting increases in revenue for
core product and services, increased visitor loyalty, and offer an
improved customer experience.
The 50 free connections are in open competition and
will be judged on merit as to the suitability and usage potential.
Successful businesses will receive free on and off line marketing support
locally, nationally and internationally.
The three businesses put forward in Havant Town Centre are
The Meridian Centre, Filarinskis and Havant Arts Centre. We hope to hear
early in the New Year if our entrants have been successful.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
A lot if you want to be a legal entity, or just an
informal group or association. The Agora Project and Havant Borough
Council have been working with consultants funded by The Department for
Communities and Local Government, who are offering assistance and guidance
to business and town centre projects.
As part of the succession strategy for the Havant Town
Centre AGORA Project, Havant Business Group are investigating how it can
best evolve itself into a sustainable organisation and develop itself
successfully for the future.
Important issues such as informal and formal status,
company status, tax and liability positions have been discussed and
workshops held in order to have full information available to make the
best decision for the business group's way forward.
Meetings of the group in the New Year will further discuss this vital
issue and a decision made during 2007.
HAVANT TOWN CENTRE'S SHOPWATCH IS STILL ACTIVE
Yes, and happy to have new retail and business members. We currently
have 27 retail stores and businesses participating in the Shopwatch
scheme and are always looking
for new members in the business community to assist the Police fight crime
and disorderly behaviour.
The important action for both existing members and any new members who
may wish to join the scheme, is that each day the radio should be turned
on and members call in and identify their business on the scheme, so that
the system is "live" across the membership and any problems or
observations are heard by everybody tuned in.
Members are calling in and the scheme is operated via
the CCTV Office in Havant, so if anything suspicious is seen, members are
immediately able to ask for the CCTV cameras to view the exterior of their
premises or where the incident is taking place, and the Police can
immediately be aware of what is being reported.
If action is required, the Police can deal with it,
knowing that co-ordination and awareness is taking place throughout Havant
Town Centre. This is the key action for the scheme's success.
Havant Borough Council pays for the radio licence for the scheme and
members have to pay for a radio, charger and replacement batteries. If you
are interested, contact either Peter Hammond or Jeff Crate, by telephoning
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