Beales Restaurant Hosts Inaugural BA20 Retail Forum

Released On 7th Jun 2016

On 24th May Beales Restaurant hosted what is hoped to be the first BA20 Forum, a monthly informal retail forum that will bring town centre retailers, local authorities, and Chamber together.  The 6:00pm start and town centre location to accommodate the needs of retailers.  Marie Ainsworth, town centre development manager SSDC was in attendance, and said: “the ‘drop in forum’ would be a great place to engage with other businesses and officials. I am more than happy to continue attending these meetings as I feel it would be beneficial longer term.  I liked the fact that people were keen to build on existing town centre events and wanted to see more.”  Sadly, only four retailers attended (Cogs Café, BHS, PSJ Jewellers and The Quedam), but despite the poor turnout, Andrew Oakley said that he will be happy to make this a monthly event in his restaurant at Beales Department Store, and Chamber will look at setting up a town centre trade association for member businesses in Yeovil town centre.  Chamber President David Woan said: “The aim is allow town centre traders to meet informally and trade stories with people on hand from Chamber and SSDC to take forward ideas.  Chamber and the local authorities want to alter perceptions and gain trust from the retail sector that there are people out there who will give them a big voice, and can turn words into action.”