Lancaster city centre's new BID warden to focus on shoplifting, homelessness, street drinking and youth anti-social behaviour

Lancaster BID has employed a new warden to work with businesses and key partners in the city centre, alongside the launch of a new "shopwatch" scheme.
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Simon Merrett has been employed by Lancaster's Castlegate Security on behalf of Lancaster BID.

Lancaster BID, which represents businesses in Lancaster city centre, said his work forms a key element of its ‘Safe and Secure’ Lancaster campaign to address issues important to city centre businesses.

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His initial focus will be on various issues including shoplifting, homelessness, begging, street drinking and youth ASB.

BID Warden Simon Merrett.BID Warden Simon Merrett.
BID Warden Simon Merrett.

Simon will be working closely with partners such as Lancaster police, and security at St Nics and Marketgate shopping centres, and Lancaster City Council.

He will also offer assistance to shoppers by answering questions they may have when out and about in the city centre.

To maximise the benefits to businesses Lancaster BID is also launching “Shopwatch” across the city to get as many businesses communicating together as possible.

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This was one of the key outcomes identified at a BID Breakfast networking event earlier this year.The key to its success is encouraging businesses and partners to all work together sharing information and improving communication across radios etc.

Market Square in LancasterMarket Square in Lancaster
Market Square in Lancaster

City centre businesses are encouraged to contact Lancaster BID at [email protected] to find out more and sign up to join the Shopwatch scheme free of charge.

Lancaster BID Manager, Tony Johnson, said: “Our new BID Warden initiative has been developed as a direct response to local businesses who have long been feeling the effects of inconsiderate actions of a small number of people in the city centre.

"Through close partnership working we will help to reduce these issues to ensure visiting the city centre remains a positive experience for all.”

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Lancaster BID Warden, Simon Merrett, added: “I’m delighted to be appointed to this new role at Lancaster BID and am looking forward to getting to know more of the businesses over the coming weeks.

"If you see me out and about please do stop to say hello.”

Simon has spent his first weeks in post meeting some of the city centre businesses and patrolling the BID area to get to know the patch.

Working 30 hours per week, his shift pattern varies to ensure he can be of benefit to the daytime and evening economy.

You can contact Simon directly on [email protected] or contact any of the team at the Lancaster BID office on 01524 590650.

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