LOSTWITHIEL BUSINESS GROUP

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD Wednesday 20^th October 2004

Present: A Barratt (AB, D Phipps (DP), J Manwaring (JM),

M Hoskin (MH), K Southgate (KS)

Apologies S Sanders, L Abrahams , J Hillier, M Royle, L Southgate

Minutes of Last Meeting

Minutes from meeting held 25^th August 2004 were accepted.

Matters Arising

Restormel Council are seeking photographs for their web site to publicise organisations that have received grants. MH has provided KS with suitable photographs from December 2003 Dickens evening. These will be supplied to Restormel Council as part of the report requested following receipt of grant for 2003. Action KS

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman has been in contact with Restormel Borough Council re Grants for Christmas Lights. Written Application needs to be made. Action - KS

The Tourist Information Centre has resigned from the group. The supply of maps held by the TIC has been exhausted. Another box to be supplied Action - DP

The Chairman has been contacted by Cornish Guardian who propose running a one or two page feature on Lostwithiel shortly. The paper are looking for between 15 and 30 businesses to advertise at a cost of approx £25 per business. The meeting considered this was a good opportunity to gain publicity for the town and the Business Group could offer a limited financial support for the venture.

The Chairman has been investigating promotion of the town’s businesses via web sites and Commercial directories. Where possible free listings are being sought. (e.g. Touch Plymouth and Cornwall- Search) All the Town’s antique shops have now been listed on Antiques-Atlas. The Destination Cornwall web site has offered the Business Group a reasonably priced page on their web site. This is being considered by the Chairman.

Treasurer’s Report

The current bank balance is £2447-81. Treasurer has investigated options for interest bearing accounts, but the interest rates being offered by Lloyds TSB are very low and it is not really worthwhile transferring some of our funds. Action – DP Complete

Nearly half the members have still not paid their subscription for this year. PLEASE PAY as soon as possible.

Further copies of the town map are available from the treasurer. Contact David Phipps on 872664.

Town Forum Report

The Forum AGM will be held on .Wednesday 24^th November. Business Group to nominate three members to the Forum. A Barratt, D Phipps and K Southgate agreed to represent the Business Group. KS to respond to letter on topic received from Dick Trant. Action KS

Cheese and Wine evening

The event was held on 8^th October at the Duchy Palace and made a profit of £432 for LBG to use to decorate the town at Christmas.

All actions related to this topic reported in minutes of 23 August meeting have been completed.

The meeting agreed to make a donation of £20 to Restormel Masonic Lodge 856 for loan of the Duchy Palace. Action DP

Arrangements for Christmas Celebration Evening ( Thursday 16th December)

Following various comments received it was agreed to keep the same Dickensian theme for this year’s event.

The mayor will be requested to “switch-on” the Christmas lights at 6-30 pm. Action KS to write to M Jones.

The Young Farmers wish to run their food stall again. Also the WI will be running a toffee apple stall. Action MH Compete

As insurance in the event of bad weather on 16^th December the meeting agreed that the Church Hall should be booked to allow the stalls planned for the church yard to be relocated. Action MH to book Church Hall

Booking of the St Minver Band has not been confirmed in writing. Action KS to write to letter to St Minver Band.

Christmas trees. - 52 Christmas trees to be ordered, with the aim of delivery by the end of November. Action DP

The meeting agreed that members of LBG who have paid their 2004 subscriptions will not be charged for Christmas tress this year.

Some shops do not have brackets for Christmas trees. MH to investigate if more brackets can be made. Action MH

Christmas lights - Requests for more lights have been received from Country Flowers and Paraphernalia . If other LBG members want more lights then please contact the Chairman.

Review of responses to “business concerns” questionnaire

Limited opening of TIC at weekends. Problems with visitors trying to book accommodation on Saturdays was raised at the meeting. Secretary to write to LCA committee with concerns. Action KS

Poor condition of some road signs and confusing signage in town. Peter Best’s Forum Environmental Group have been looking at this topic and Peter has held meeting with County Highways Contractor.
Lack of promotion of town by South West Tourism and Cornwall Tourist Board (CTB) KS has looked at South West Tourism and CTB’s websites. South West Tourism site tends to be quite “high level” covering all counties in the South West. However there is already a considerable amount of information about Lostwithiel on CTB site, with approx 10 members of LBG also belonging to CTB.

Lack of visitor numbers. – See Chairman’s report for details of Internet promotion.

Advent Window Trail

Gina O’Keefe is again organising the Advent Window Trail and welcomes volunteers. Full details will appear in the next Lostwithiel Newsletter.

The meeting closed at 9-30 pm

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 1^st December 2004 at 8 pm in Muffins 32 Fore St, Lostwithiel.