BUSINESS
TaSC:
TRADE & SOCIAL COHESION ZONE
Six main steps of TaSC in brief,
Trade Connect: A local business Plan created by traders and the community. Exploring ways to increase footfall throughout our area, improving parking, creating and create an atmosphere that helps wellbeing of visitors and traders.
E:Quadrant: A virtual shopping centre covering the main retail areas of Project Southchurch. The interactive maps will be promoted across all social media sites, but also have a physical presence in those retail areas with a notice board showing the map.
A Time to Build: A social contract agreed between the community and building contractors concerning thelength of time works are expected to last, to ensure there is no uncertainty about a project. This will apply to building and infrastructure repair in retail areas, public buildings and private buildings in areas of high footfall and public interest.
BrickBox: A partnership Project Southchurch and local estate agents to encourage new business into the area. To eventually ensure that there is a unique and wide range of retailers trading in the area.
Out & About: To work towards a reduction in local traffic and encourage people to walk more or use an improved and affordable public transport network. To create a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment for social interaction and make our retail areas a place to relax and enjoy. To improve the public realm with an increase in street furniture and hanging baskets.
Incubator: An advice clinic for Young & New Entrepreneurs to get guidance from a wide selection of agencies like financial institutions, experienced business owners and Business on Sea to help them start up a new business.
E:Quadrant
E;Quadrant is the EastQuarter Retail area spanning the four wards that Project Southchurch Covers. The main retail areas from the Eastern Esplanade to Garons promoted together as one.
The creation of a ‘Store Location Map’ displaying the positions of stores in those four main retail areas. Each position of a business will be represented by a square or Trade Space. The idea is based on locator maps displayed in shopping centres around the UK.
Each Trade Space will link directly to the retailers website or social media site. This allows traders the potential of uploading instant offers or promotions at a frequency that suits them and the ability to react to market conditions by the minute. This creates a truly interactive experience.
It’s an evolution of retail in the East of the city, bringing local independent business alive and creating a relaxed atmosphere for customers to visit and shop.
It’s where the virtual world collides with reality. Many promotions that are via E:Quadrant are only activated when the clients actually visit the store.
It’s designed to get customers out of their pyjamas and onto the pavement to start their journey from clicks to bricks.
Working alongside the visions of TaSC it is the evolution of a social retail experience. A New ERA
Trade Connect
Trade Connect is the Opportunity for local traders to get together and talk about the issues that they face.
The chance to share concerns local traders have and together we discuss the best way to solve the problems or what other actions need to be taken.
The first meeting was held in January 2024 and we aim to host a Local Business Breakfast in October or November 2024. In 2025 it is our intention to hold 3 meetings to incorporate the 4 main retail areas.
Click below and we will email you the full report from our first meeting.
BrickBox
A partnership between Estate Agents, Landlords and Project Southchurch.
We are fortunate to be experiencing a high occupancy in our retail units. We are aware that can change at any juncture, so when retail units do become available we want to play our part in supporting business.
So our BrickBox strategy is to approach independent businesses in sectors not represented throughout the E:Quadrant. It gives us the opportunity to occupancy levels high but also provide a more diverse high street.
Once the traders have been approached and expressed interest we will hand the details over to the Estate Agents who will proceed with details and we will then welcome a new business to the EastQuarter Experience.
A Time To Build
A social contract agreed between the community and building contractors concerning the length of time works are expected to last, to ensure there is no uncertainty about a project.
This will apply to building and infrastructure repair in retail areas, public buildings and private buildings in areas of high footfall and public interest.
Happy Streets
Project Southchurch aim to introduce Happy Streets to Southchurch Road.
The Happy Street event is a simple idea, to promote the independent traders along Southchurch Road, without disrupting traffic flow.
It creates a safe space to enjoy the shopping experience along the road, by reducing the speed limit to 20mph and creating a shared space area for traffic, giving pedestrians the right of way.
The reconfiguration of the highway would be temporary, for between 4 and 6 hours at least. We will install barriers to increase the protection of pedestrians.
There will be no road closures, diversions of bus routes and parking suspensions.
A chance for local restaurants, pubs, traders and churches to become part of the community footprint for a set number of hours. To promote what they offer. A benefit to the community
Local traders can have special offers for the day, the final decision is ultimately theirs.
Incubator.
We want to work with the Business community, Schools, Colleges, Universities and youth organisations to provide opportunities for Young adults. We will explain briefly our initiative, Incubator.
Incubator
In essence Incubator is another co-working unit, similar to a number in operation around town. The difference here will be we would look to the enterprises being developed in 6th Form, College and university facilities across Southend. It could also be a group of young adults who have a dream they want to make reality.
The projects will be closely monitored and mentors will be available for guidance and advice. Other agencies and marketing professionals will be involved to offer further help.
Clicks to Bricks.
Clicks to Bricks -Pyjamas to Pavements
Many retail specialists are concerned the effect of e.retail is having on our high streets. They focus on the importance of retail to community and the survival of towns. Retail areas create the central focal point of city life, the thread that creates the fabric of our city. In a long battle against the internet over price the advantage of a healthy physical retail operation is essential to create cohesion amongst residents and visitors and improves wellbeing this must create an experience, creation of social interaction on the backdrop of relaxing and inspiring retail and services. It cannot be focused around a few different types it must be varied. At present we are hiding behind phone repair shops, chicken shops, charity and rubbish shops lack variety and encourage money laundering. We must provide quality and diversity in the shops it delivers but must also be progressive in responding to sudden changes in trend.
You may already of read our ambition to create the E:Quadrantwhich will bring such a change in retail habits in satellite retail districts of our city. Bringing multi locations together as one, to encourage customers out of their pyjamas and onto the pavement to start their own journey from clicks to bricks. To create safe areas for people to shop and have social interaction, a positive on community wellbeing and improvement in health. A trade and social cohesion that fits all.
Contact Us
For more information about our Business initiatives, follow the links below.
Email : projectsouthchurch.business@outlook.com
