NEWS
Stockton businesses
hail metropolitan-
style business
networking event
MET
CONNECTION
S
tockton’s Business Improvement
District (BID), a partnership between
local businesses and organisations with
the aim of making a difference to the town
centre, launched a new networking event for
Tees Valley, namely the MET, in June at the
Hampton Hotel in Stockton’s town centre
and has announced the program of events
will continue to run throughout 2020.
Attended by leading business influencers
and retailers, the MET is a new strategic
business event created and developed by
the BID with the aim of bringing Stockton’s
business community into conversation with
the BID’s levy payers.
Talking at the first event, retail expert
and commentator, Graham Soult, of
Cannyinsights.com, said: “Stockton is a great
example of a town that is actively facing the
challenges of the high street and looking at
place branding as a way to reconnect and
reinvigorate the town.
“Stockton’s offer of growing independent
retailers, national brands and locally-based
businesses with a global reach, contributes
to efforts to bring people back into the town
centre for work and leisure.”
Jason Maxwell, Stockton BID manager,
added: “We are delighted to continue with
the MET in 2020. It will enable the BID
and our levy payers to continue to forge
relationships and contribute towards a
prosperous economy in the town.
“We have engaged over 70 businesses
in conversation and created some great
partnerships with companies.
“Collective conversations and shared
intelligence can create positive change that
can support how the BID shapes the future
place of our high street.”
Stockton is base to national businesses,
and global business entrepreneurs, together
with retail pioneers, and has recently seen
a small cluster of creative and marketing
agencies move into the high street.
“We would urge the Tees Valley business
community to join our events. Conversations
are really productive and taking place
between a wide range of businesses and
retailers looking at how we can work
together, sharing a vision which brings a
positive influence and contributes to the
changing nature and use of a 21st century
high street,” added Maxwell.
Representing around 400 businesses,
Stockton BID is funded by business members
who pay an annual levy which supports
efforts to revitalise and regenerate Stockton
for everyone who works, lives or visits the
town.
Stockton MET is the first of a series of
initiatives set to reimagine the high street,
with creative and innovative events which
highlight the positive aspects of the town,
support levy-paying businesses and offer a
programme of activity to bring people into
the town centre.
Stockton MET events take place at the Hampton Hotel on Church Road and places
can be booked via eventbrite.com/e/stockton-metbus-tickets-61751018960
For information on Stockton BID, visit stocktonbid.co.uk
tees-life.co.uk
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