The first in-person event from the Manor Royal BID (Business Improvement District) after two years, Manor Royal Matters including the AGM and Annual Review took place on 10th November 2021 with a wide variety of close to 100 representatives from businesses in Manor Royal, partners of the BID and those with an interest in Manor Royal.

Paul Searle from P&H Motorcycles and Markus Wood from Avensys were re-elected to the Board of the Manor Royal BID for another term as well as two newly elected directors, Martha Burnige from The Gatwick School and Patrick Heath-Lay from B&CE.

The event gave details of what the Manor Royal BID had delivered in the past year, how the Business District was performing now and what was planned for the future.

This included how the BID had attracted over £235,000 of additional funds for projects, providing additional security and maintenance, offering cheaper travel for those working on Manor Royal, new microparks across the Business District, free jobs board, low cost training and more.

 Delegates were able to comment throughout the event, which included using the polling function to answer questions during the event covering people’s experience of doing business on the Manor Royal Business District, their feelings about what the BID should do and wider issues impacting on business in Manor Royal.

In the polling, over 96% of attendees supported the work of the Manor Royal BID, with ‘parking and transport issues’ and ‘improve the appearance’ coming top of ways to improve Manor Royal.

When asked what issues were troubling them, people ranked “Economic Uncertainty” as their top concern.

The session included a panel debate involving Cllr Bob Lanzer (Cabinet Member, West Sussex County Council), Dee Mathieson (Elekta) and Trevor Williams (Thales and Chair of the Manor Royal BID) chaired by Steve Sawyer (Executive Director of the Manor Royal BID)

The event also paid tribute to the sterling work and support of retiring Vice-Chair of the Manor Royal BID, Keith Podrum Managing Director of Pordum Foods Limited, who has been involved with the BID since its inception.

Steve Sawyer said;

“I’m grateful to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us at our first in-person event for 2 years. It was fascinating to hear from so many different businesses and partners on what is happening across Manor Royal. It is encouraging to know that people are supportive of the BID and to understand what issues are troubling them. The BID thrives on this kind of feedback and will use it to plan future projects and activities. I’d also like to thank Keith Podrum for his unwavering commitment and support, which has helped to make a tangible and real difference to improving the business district.”

See the full Manor Royal BID 2021 Review and results of the polling

Date Published: 29/11/2021