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info@towncentrebid.co.uk 
Bournemouth Town Centre BID and Bournemouth Town Watch are funding a new co-ordinator to support the health and success of the town’s vital night-time economy.
Victoria Sheppard stepped into the new role of Night-time Economy Co-ordinator last month and will be taking the lead in synchronising efforts towards delivering a safe, successful and well-managed night-time economy in Bournemouth Town Centre.
The part-time position is being jointly funded by Bournemouth Town Centre BID (Business Improvement District) and Bournemouth Town Centre’s Town Watch, a sector representation and trade body which supports and helps to improve management of the night-time economy.
It is a new role within the BID, created after the position of Night-Time Economy Co-ordinator, previously a role within Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council which was part-funded by the BID, ceased to exist as part of a BCP wide re-organisation last year.
Victoria brings two decades’ experience in the sector, including 15 years’ involvement in Bournemouth Town Centre’s Town Watch. Her new role, across two-and-half-days a week, will see her liaising with nightlife businesses such as bars, pubs, nightclubs and late opening restaurants and food outlets, supporting collaboration with key stakeholders such as Dorset Police and BCP Council, helping to identify and tackle any issues and seize opportunities, and providing strategic oversight.
Alan Dove, Chair of Bournemouth Town Watch, said:
“I know Victoria well, having worked alongside her for many years in the Town Watch, so I know she is going to do a fantastic and impactful job.
“We’ve been missing that lynchpin person, so we are incredibly pleased to be working with the Town Centre BID to fund this role.”
Victoria has hit the ground running; she has already coordinated a Town Watch meeting and helped co-ordinate the first training session for the Unity Promise – a partnership initiative aimed at supporting the safety of women and girls, created by BCP Council, Dorset Police, Bournemouth Business Improvement District, Bournemouth Town Watch, The Shores Sexual Assault Referral Centre and UKPAC.
She will also have a key part to play in preparations for the annual Purple Flag accreditation. Similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, the purple flag is an externally-assessed and internationally recognised marker of quality and safety for town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am. Bournemouth is one of the longest-standing Purple Flag areas, holding the prestigious Purple Flag for 14 years.
Victoria will also be working to further improve communication channels between the BID and the night-time economy business, encouraging uptake of additional accreditation and sharing of best practice, and helping to grow the number of night-time businesses using the SentrySIS online crime reporting and monitoring platform.
Paul Kinvig Chief Operating Officer of The Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said:
“We want to see a thriving town centre for Bournemouth, and a vibrant and secure night-time economy is key to that mission.
“We are thrilled to have been able to appoint Victoria into this role. She is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable, having dedicated her career to Bournemouth’s night-time economy, as well as dynamic and driven – a huge asset to the team.”
Victoria Sheppard, Night-time Economy Co-ordinator, said
“Bournemouth’s night-time sector is a vital engine for the local economy and a big draw to the area, so I am incredibly excited to take on this role and support its ongoing success.
“My focus will be on bringing people together, driving action and collaboration and enhancing the national reputation of Bournemouth’s night-time economy too, so locals and visitors alike can enjoy all that is on offer in Bournemouth in the evening and into the early hours.”