Brown invites business community to two meetings in Denvir’s Hotel in Downpatrick
South Down Alliance MLA Patrick Brown has set up two public meetings to work closer with the business community in the Downpatrick area.
Dr Brown said: “For his month I have organised two public evening sessions to be held in Denvir’s Hotel.
“These meetings are a result of feedback I have received from the local business community on concerns raised with me over the last number of months.”
Anti-Social Behaviour Meeting With PSNI
“The first meeting will be held on Thursday 19th January at 5.30pm in Denvir’s. This will bring together the local business community and PSNI and will focus on anti-social behaviour and safety concerns including:
- Public drunkenness/intoxication
- Littering/graffiti
- Shoplifting
- Breaking and entering/squatting
- Public safety/security & CCTV
- Any other anti-social behaviour concerns you might have
“In attendance to answer any questions and follow up concerns raised will be senior members of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT). Please RSVP here to help us plan the event.
BID Information Evening
Dr Brown added: “The second meeting will be held on Wednesday 25th January at 7pm, also in Denvirs. This meeting will discuss how businesses in the town can come together to help Downpatrick fulfil its potential.
“This will be looking specifically through the possible establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID).
“A BID is formed when businesses in an area agree to a small additional levy on their rates which is then used to make improvements locally.
Examples of what a BID can do include:
- Public events and festivals
- Commissioning of research, consultants and lobbyists
- Funding shop front/public realm schemes
- Hiring of staff to support businesses
- Establishing local reward/loyalty schemes
- Hosting jobs & investment fairs
In attendance will be BID managers from other BIDs in Northern Ireland, who can share their experience and expertise with us. Please RSVP here.
“I hope you or a representative from your business or organisation will be able to attend one or both of these meetings.
“If you can’t make it and would like to raise any issues ahead of the meeting, please let me know by replying to this email.”
