Dear Members,
Following the recent announcement we should see a number of cafes, pubs and restaurants opening albeit with certain rules attached. Hopefully, soon we will be able to enjoy weddings, parties and other functions. As you will know many local events have been cancelled until 2021, but one or two might still take place towards the year’s end.
We have asked a number of you to complete a survey for the “Save our High Street” organisation so we can gain some information as to how we can adapt to the new Covid-19 working environment. Again, you can ask them for information regarding your own business, which is free and confidential to yourselves. Contact Alex Schlagman at alex@savethehighstreet.org
Subscriptions are now due which are the same as previous years: £40.
CAR PARKING
According to Dacorum Borough Council the Lower King’s Road multi-storey car park should be open in late July/August as there are some works yet to be completed.
PEDESTRIANISATION
Berkhamsted Council have made a number of representations to Hertfordshire County Council regarding the High Street and various roads, pathways and pavements in the Town. Hertfordshire County Council are responsible for all road and pavement alteration and repairs. Amongst them is a proposal, which BDCC has been involved in, and that is to pedestrianise part of the High Street from the main traffic lights to St Peters Church on regular days, most probably Saturdays.
The intention is to then allow more local businesses to participate and to then promote it throughout the locality. The opening of the multi-storey car park will certainly help with the aim of increasing footfall. We hope that assuming all the necessary planning has been done, that this change will make the High Street a focal point for the wider community. If you wish to make any comments on this proposal, please send them to peteels12@gmail.com.
Also, in the next few days we will be sending a questionnaire to all members to ask for your views.
NEW MEMBERS
Emma James – Emma James Wellbeing
26 Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 2AE
Tel: 01442 870686
Email: emma.james@ejphysio.co.uk
A wellbeing and physiotherapy centre in the heart of Berkhamsted focusing on you, your wellbeing and physical health.
BDCC EVENTS
We were considering a breakfast event on July 14th but due to Covid-19 this will not take place. However, we are hoping to hold another Zoom event on that date and your host will be Simon Double of Solario Racing.
Dependent on further government information regarding outside/indoor events and numbers allowed we are considering running a breakfast/ brunch style meeting in August.
MEMBERS NEWS
Berkhamsted Osteopaths
Tim Hanwell and his team have reopened their practice. They have fully complied with Covid-19 recommendations and now offer a video call work- station set up for those of you working at home and are having problems with your sitting position. To get more information contact reception@berkhamstedosteopaths.co.uk or phone 01442 878900.
Berkofest
In conjunction with Berkhamsted School they are still planning on running the Berkofest Science Festival on November 15th 2020. Provisionally this will be partly held at the Old Town Hall and at other locations to be announced, assuming it can go ahead.
Dickman’s
Dheran Ladwa has linked up with a company that sells PPE. They supply the following:
- Medical masks
- Aprons
- Gloves
- Visors
- Hand Sanitisers
- Sanitiser Sprays
Please contact Dheran on dheran.ladwa@gmail.com or ring 07737186035 for further information on the products and pricing.
Incidentally Dheran has offered all members of the Chamber a 10% discount on purchases other than prescriptions, again please contact him regarding this offer.
Rossway Park Estate
Amelia Adkins informs us that they have started a new venture Supply Drop, which is an online gift company creating gift boxes for customers to send to friends and/or relatives. They started this in March, and it has gone so well that they are looking for someone to hire for a new role. It involves fulfilling orders, stock control and some buying. It would suit someone with a very good attention to detail possibly with an operations background. If anyone knows of someone who might be interested, please contact Heidi hv@rosswayparkestate.com.
For those of you who do not know it. The Rossway Park Estate is about one mile to the south of Berkhamsted. It is a beautiful estate of about 1,000 acres with extensive farmland, some small businesses and private houses.
Solario Racing
Many of us have gone every year to the Windsor Races for a great night out hosted by Solario Racing. This year in conjunction with Oliver Myles Events they ran a Royal Ascot Zoom race day.
This included tipster competitions, interviews with a local jockey, and a Best Hat competition with a professional judge Mary Spiteri. The Best Hat competition was won by Jane O’Gorman of local recruitment company Ten2Two.
Solario and Oliver Myles raised several hundred pounds for the local homeless charity DENS and the Hospice of St Francis, through donations made on the day.
Tobias Oliver
At 85-87 High Street, Berkhamsted, Tobias Oliver offers a full range of interior design products and concepts. This month they have a lot of advice, design plans and products for Outdoor Entertaining. Bearing in mind the weather and possible staycation please contact them tobias@tobiasoliverinteriors.com or phone 01442 818122.
Traveltime
Having moved over the road to the Robert Martell’s building, Jackie Steadman and her team are offering new outdoor appointments complying with all the government advice for small groups in an open area by their front door.
Yvette’s Chocolates
They are in full production mode and supplying a number of local customers. They have sent in 3 of their products for the Great Taste Award, and since 2016 have received 5 awards. They have a special offer discount of 20% at the moment and if you purchase please use the following “TREATS20” when you order. They can be contacted yvette@yvetteschocolates.com or phone 07908 187439.
OTHER NEWS
Accessing the countryside over the A41
Hertfordshire County Council have announced that they are intending to close permanently the A41 footpath crossings at Northchurch and Berkhamsted
Anna Foster
Anna who runs ADF Consultancy, is involved with the Little Signers Club which has met at Open Door Berkhamsted, and during the lockdown they have raised monies for Open Door, Citizens Advice Dacorum and the Baby Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. If you want to know more please contact Anna at anna@littlesignersclub.co.uk
Elysian Residences
Based off Shootersway Berkhamsted there is a proposed development of specialist housing for older people with public access to some of its amenities such as the restaurant. If you want more information, contact www.elysianberkhamsted.com
Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – Hertfordshire
This organisation produces very good information about business in Hertfordshire, employment trends and new initiatives. In particular they have information regarding local business funding. Currently they have information on the Hertfordshire Business Expansion Grant Scheme, small business innovation grants and a new Low Carbon Innovation Fund. If you want more information visit their website www.hertfordshirelep.com or ring 01462 244700.
Parking in Bucks
During the coronavirus and to support local communities, key workers and volunteers, all council car parks in Bucks are free until further notice. Perhaps Dacorum Borough Council would take notice of this welcome support to local communities and business.
Spanish Tapas Bar
There may be a new tapas bar in Berkhamsted with a roof terrace, so we will monitor this with interest.
As we all know every day sees a new change in how we react as business and society to Covid-19. All our professional members are keeping clients up dated but if you have any particular questions please address them to peteels12@gmail.com and I will try to find an answer.
Stay Safe,
Pete Elsworth – Chair