£50 reward for people in Accrington/Clitheroe/Preston to have their say on why they don’t come to shop there!
Traders are going outside of Blackburn to find out what people in other towns and cities really think about Blackburn town centre, why they don’t come to shop there and what they’d like to see changed.
The Mall shopping centre and traders in the Blackburn BID (Business Improvement District) are working in partnership on a focus group event which takes place in the morning of Wednesday 9th July. They are looking for participants and offering £50 shopping vouchers to people who volunteer to come along and have their say on what’s wrong and what they want to see changed.
Laura Coughlin, Marketing Manager from the Mall, Blackburn and Harriet Roberts from the Blackburn BID have organised the event which will be facilitated by research group, ROI Team
Harriet explained, ‘Big changes are happening in Blackburn. We have a new shopping centre and market and millions of pounds is being invested in developing Cathedral quarter with a hotel, shops and restaurants, as well as a brand new bus station and transport terminus.
In the next five years the newly formed Business Improvement District (Blackburn BID) will invest a further £1.5 million in funds collected from traders in the town centre. This will make the town safer, more secure, greener and cleaner and invest in promoting a whole range of events, activities and facilities to make the town a more attractive place to shop, spend leisure time and work.’
Laura said, ‘Perhaps Blackburn is on your doorstep and yet you prefer to travel to another town or shopping area or spend leisure time and shop with your family and friends. We want to know what you really think and what would make you come to Blackburn. We need you to be honest and tell us why you don’t come now and why you go elsewhere. This is an opportunity to contribute your ideas to that plan and have your say on how that money is invested by telling us what would make you come to the town.’
Volunteers will receive free lunch, refreshments and parking. They will need to live outside of the Blackburn area and maybe visit on occasion.
This event will includes a short walking tour on areas being developed, a free lunch and refreshments, and the chance to contribute your views via a facilitated focus group discussion. Participants will also receive a £50 shopping voucher to spend in Blackburn and will be able to park free of charge for the morning.
If you live outside Blackburn and want to join the event and the focus group discussion you can register online via the following link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BlackburnBID. Or for more information about the event or to register by phone please call ROI Team on 07772 352804
