A TOTAL of 117 partner businesses are now on the Destination Bromsgrove app which was launched last month to encourage more people to use the town’s renowned independent businesses.
The app, available free on both Android and Apple platforms, is aimed at building closer relationships between business owners and residents and includes a directory of local shops, businesses, pubs and restaurants.
There is also an interactive map to help people locate them and view their opening hours and there are exclusive offers, discounts and promotions to help people save cash while they support the High Street.
And there is news and details of events to help people stay up-to-date.
In the latest update on the project, held this week at Bromsgrove Sporting’s Rouslers Bar, it was also revealed that 729 people had already signed up in just weeks.
Those behind Destination Bromsgrove have set themselves a target of having 1,000 users by the end of this month.
They also said the number of businesses which had signed up was 70 per cent of their initial target.
Special offers, job vacancies and events
There have been 25 special offers or promotions running for January and further functionality developments are due this week.
The events page has been visited almost 350 times and the jobs section nearly 300.
A number of vacancies at a local business were filled thanks to the app, which the organisers said was a great result.
The planned improvements for phase two include a ‘book here’ option for relevant businesses, the option to leave reviews, the option for ‘flash’ offers to help sales, push notifications to drive awareness, Google directions, the local weather, sponsorship opportunities for firms and a community page featuring council information, news from the Standard and Completely Bromsgrove and regular blogs.
Another idea is to have an ’empty unit regeneration project’ with estate agents to proactively search for companies looking to expand or relocate into the High Street.
Dean Brady, from Destination Bromsgrove said: “The response has been incredibly positive from all involved in the app and we can really see this making a positive impact on Bromsgrove as a whole.
“After the phenomenal success of the Christmas lights switch on, the Coronation and the Jubilee, we want to bring more Community focused events into the High Street as we can see that there is an appetite for this type of event that brings the town together.”
Events planned for the first part of 2024 include ‘New Year, New You’. Mental, Financial and Physical Health (January) and ‘Love Your High Street’ month (February) with Valentine’s inspired window dressing competition (trophy supplied by The Bromsgrove Cobbler), Valentine’s offers, an online pancake competition. For the national ‘Love Your Pet Day’ there will be a Fun Dog Show in the High Street on February 17, with a focus on pet friendly businesses in the High Street.
In July / August, there will be a ‘Summerfest’ – special offers led events and sports offerings from local clubs (along with other activities still to be arranged). In October there will be a Halloween Festival with dressed windows, prizes, food and beverage offerings.
In November there will be Black Friday special offers and, in December, there will be a best-dressed window competition, seasonal food and drink and special offers.
People can go to destination-highstreet.co.uk or the place where they get their apps to download Destination Bromsgrove.
