What does 2019 hold for businesses in Purley

After such a successful year for the Purley BID in 2018 with highlights of the Purley Food Festival and a successful campaign to lobby the government for a change and reduction to the small business rates, we look forward to another great year ahead.

In these very tough and unpredictable economic times the high street is being threatened and challenged more than ever. Purley has the benefit of having a Business Improvement District (BID) which is there to support and promote local businesses. Other district centres in Croydon are sorely missing the benefit of having a BID and so are lacking in the provision of cost reduction, banners, hanging baskets, Police engagement, council engagement and much much more.

In 2019 we’re looking to increase the flowers, banners and art that make Purley a more pleasant place to be. This has been a challenging project but the rewards are helping give Purley its identity as often being described as a pass-through town.

The Purley BID continues to work on one of the most challenging aspect raised by the businesses, that is parking. Where we can, we’ve already helped reinstall the lifts in the multi-storey carpark, we have worked with local police, transport for London, local businesses and the council with regards to on street parking issues and will continue to do so, however one of the biggest issues is the signage for parking.

You will notice that currently there is almost no parking signs to the parking areas in Purley, what is currently in place is often very misleading. The BID has worked with wayfinding consultants, JD Designs, to highlight the issues and to work with a programme of investment to get better signs for visitors to the town. This is a tough project that has been running almost since the start of the Purley BID and looks to start delivering in 2019 with a significant proportion of the BID levy being invested into this project.

2019 will see another Food Festival held in the high Street on Saturday 2nd June. This Festival Proudly supports local Purley businesses and to promote the great and varied food service that Purley has. With great food, drink, music and Free entertainment, face painting and Mad Hatter’s tea party for children, this will be another summer highlight for Purley. To get involved or find out more contact events@inpurley.london .

As we head into the fourth year of the Purley BID we have a list of established initiatives that we currently continue to run to help improve businesses in Purley. This includes becoming a dementia friendly town, Easter Egg hunt, stands at the Easter parade and Christmas lights switch on providing free face painting for children.

In October, we will also be running the fourth Live Well in Purley event, promoting healthy living in Purley provided by the Purley businesses. We’re looking to also have Crystal Palace Football training, free face painting and promotion of good mental health.

Much of the projects running in 2019 are a continuation of existing projects, however we still represent Purley to the GLA, TFL, the Council, the police and various local community initiatives that is not the case for the majority of local district centres in Croydon.

Purley BID is rolling out a new cost reduction initiative building on the success of the one delivered for the past two years.

The Purley BID is here to support the local businesses and needs to get the support and backing of the local business community to do this. If you run or manage a business in Purley that is a member of the BID we would really like to hear from you to attend and possibly be part of the Purley BID board. This will get your voice heard to make sure that your investment is spent correctly to improve business in Purley.