Despite problems over the past year as those in crucial positions at the Association of Ross Traders have found it impossible to carry out their responsibilities due to increasing pressures on their time, those who attended the AGM at Orles Barn on Tuesday, April 4th voted to continue.

Colin Leggate, the Deputy Chairman, found himself in the hot seat as acting Chair, as the Chairman had resigned prior to the meeting. The Treasurer was also unable to attend.

Many of those who attended the AGM were among the stalwarts who were there at the very beginning of the organisation. These included Caroline Utting, who, after seven years as the Secretary, retired.

Caroline was thanked for everything she had done for the Association, and the way she had carried out her duties by Colin Leggate and Sue Williams, who presented Caroline with gifts.

Mark Lindley, from Logiplex, spoke about the possibilities of a Ross-on-Wye Business Improvement District (BID). He told the group that the BID running in Hereford for nearly three years had been successful in achieving its aims of increasing footfall in the area it included.

He said that although Hereford has been a success, Ross doesn’t have to be a mirror of Hereford. The BID is a concept and needs people with passion to put together a business plan in black and white and get people behind it.

He added that the members of the Hereford group are willing to share their experience. However, Mark said it would be important to the success of a BID to have the backing of the history of ART.

He said ART has a proven track record and this would help in obtaining funding; which is the main thing Ross needs to increase marketing and therefore increase footfall.

Hereford had employed someone to write their BID, he said it is not enough to ask for money and then come up with suggestions for how to spend it, there has to be clear strategy.

Sue added “We have to let people know just how much Ross has got to offer, we haven’t got the chain stores but that is good as visitors want a town full of independent shops.”

David Bruce asked if whether not charging a membership fee had worked. It was felt that it had not – and this was evidenced by the low number attending the AGM. He said when you have a paid for membership you feel part of something. Bekki Stovell explained that when the new committee had been elected they were very enthusiastic but meetings became less frequent, the committee became disjointed and lost momentum. She asked for a rebrand and for someone to feed the new website which attracts lots of visitors but needs to be added to.

Craig Morgan said that he felt part of the problem had been that ART had been too formal and when Colin appealed for people to step forward to the committee or let ART fold there was some hesitation. Then a group of eight members agreed that they would form a new committee and hold some informal meetings to see how hey could best continue ART. Sue said “We should do small things for the traders and do them well.”