LARNE TRADERS FORUM

Report of Activities 2009/2010

The past year has been a challenging one for business and the Forum has continued to provide information and support for members as well as acting as a representative voice for local business.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To create a collective voice for traders and businesses in Larne
To lobby effectively and influence appropriate policy
To maximise business opportunities for members
To develop promotional campaigns
To provide business networking opportunities
To create an inclusive environment for discussion and debate
To respond to consultation requests
To provide representation for traders and businesses on a range of bodies

Membership
There are currently 40 members of the Forum representing a wide variety of town traders and businesses and including independent, NI and national retail traders, cafes and restaurants, financial services and estate agents. During the past year, the Forum welcomed four new members.

Meetings
It was agreed that meetings would be bi-monthly during the year and the Forum had a number of speakers who attended to talk about a range of topics. These included Antoinette McKeown, General Consumer Council of NI, Linzi Conway and Anne Taylor from Chain Recruitment and Training and Maureen Stewart and Doria Hill from Northern Bank.

Representation
Members represented the Forum on a number of bodies and organizations during the year.
Larne Development Forum – Herbie Wilson represented the views of the private sector and independent traders during the year on this economic development forum for the Borough.
Larne Alive - Mariann Casagrande retired as Chairman in March but continues to participate in the committee. A series of “pirate” themed activities will be taking place this June.
Larne Regeneration Company Limited – Mariann Casagrande, Allan Dorman, David Hunter, Mabel Richmond, John Shannon and Herbie Wilson continue as Company Directors; progress on the regeneration of Larne Market Yard has been slow; however, Larne BC has allocated funds for the project to progress in this financial year and grant support from DETI is anticipated.
Town Centre Committee - David Hunter, David Liddle and Herbie Wilson represent town centre traders at these quarterly meetings concerning issues such as parking, bus routes and timetables, taxi ranks and traffic flow.

Sponsorship, Advertising and Promotions
The Forum assists in advertising and promoting local businesses and also seeks to play a role in the wider life of the town and the Borough by participating in a wide range of activities.
The Forum provided sponsorship to support the Larne Borough Business Awards in October and was pleased that Inver Garden Centre was announced as winners in the Independent Retailer category. Other members who were shortlisted included:
Woodsides, Inspirational Furnishings and The Book Nook in the Independent Retailer category; The Streat in the Newcomer of the Year category; Caffé Spice in the Business Growth category; Larne Coachworks in the Excellence in People Development category and the “Everyone’s a Winner” Christmas 2008 Campaign in the Marketing Initiative category.
The Christmas 2009 Campaign of “Shop Local Shop Smart” was launched in November. This campaign sold advertising in partnership with Chaine FM, the local three week community radio station. This proved an attractive proposition for local businesses and meant that they could select from a menu of radio and printed advertising packages. The total campaign (including the radio station) was paid for by sponsorship and advertising sales. The Forum was sponsor of the “What’s On Community Events Guide” on the radio.
The Forum provided sponsorship for the Services to Sport category of Larne Borough Sports Awards and the Chairman presented this to Arthur James from Larne Rugby Club at the awards dinner attended by David Humphreys MBE in February 2010.
Sponsorship was provided to the Rotary Club of Larne for their Golden Egg Golf Event in May which raises funds for Rotary charities.
A Charity Golf Day was held at Cairndhu Golf Club on 13 June; this event raised funds to support local charities, nominated by Forum members.

Lobbying
The Forum contributed to a number of consultations and responses during the year, always seeking to maintain and enhance Larne town centre and local services. The Forum issued a number of press releases including welcoming the Magheramorne development proposals and highlighting the Shop Local, Shop Smart Christmas Campaign.
Members met with the Planning Service to put forward their views about current retail planning applications under consideration. They also contributed to the public consultation carried out by consultants compiling a Masterplan for Larne Town Centre.
Members also participated in a public meeting to seek support for the formation of a Town Centre Partnership. There was general agreement that this would be beneficial for the town centre and it is hoped that as a number of initiatives are now progressing, work to develop this partnership may progress.
The Forum wrote to Sammy Wilson MP MLA as Minister of Finance and Personnel urging a Temporary Suspension of Non-Domestic Vacant Property Rates; the subsequent Small Business Rate Relief Scheme was put in place.

Connections
In order to ensure that the members received up to date information, a regular information bulletin was issued by e-mail 12 times throughout the year.
Members participated in a local Retail Revival Programme which provided the opportunity to analyse, probe, assess and define their businesses with the help of key retail experts. Masterclasses on merchandising, on-line trading and management were also offered.
The Forum has agreed to play a lead role in facilitating a new initiative funded by the Department for Social Development – ReStore; this involves the development of an agreed action plan and managing its implementation. The elements to be included in the action plan will be agreed by all the traders and businesses in the area of benefit.

Social Networking
Members and partners participated in the Forum’s second summer barbecue at Carnfunnock in the end of July.
The Christmas event was held in Billy Andy’s and provided a rural setting for festive celebrations. It also resulted in the emergence of the idea for a Charity Golf Day, promoted by Forum members.
The Hog Roast Social Night in May at East Antrim Boat Club was hailed a success by all who attended.