It’s time for a big switch on in Friar Street and New Street with the installation of new festoon lighting

It’s time for a big switch on in Friar Street and New Street with the installation of new festoon lighting along both streets, thanks to Worcester Business Improvement District (BID).

Worcester BID is responsible for the infrastructure and installation of year round festoon lighting along these two popular, historic streets. For years Friar Street and New Street could not have Christmas lighting or bunting due to a lack of fixing points. This is all about to change thanks to the BID. The lights will be in place by the end of October ready to celebrate the festive period and then stay in place into next year and beyond.

Hannah Webb from Bottles Wine Bar on New Street agrees: “We’re so excited at Bottles at the prospect of festoon lighting all down two of Worcester’s most historic streets. As a Worcester girl who has lived and worked largely on New Street and Friar Street it really inspires a sense of nostalgia and I believe will create a gorgeous atmosphere down our already buzzing little streets. They are a welcome addition, highlighting some of Worcester best independent businesses and boutiques. “

Terry Goodwin-Jones and Popi Pribojac own and run The Kings Gallery & Mangojuice Gallery on New Street.  Terry comments: “We are very pleased and excited to hear about the new festoon lighting for Friar Street and New Street. Having traded in New Street for 22 years, it has often felt that we are poor relations to other areas because we never have any Christmas lights, so to now have some permanent festoon lighting is fantastic, especially with the darker evenings coming. It will make these streets so much more atmospheric at night. This is another good initiative by Worcester BID to make Worcester a more attractive place to visit!”

Anja Potze owner of Anja Potze Fine Jewellery on Friar Street adds:  “We are thrilled to have the new festoon lighting on Friar Street, shining a spotlight on our independent boutiques, bars and restaurants. This is a thoughtful infrastructure for BID to put in place – and one that visitors and residents will love.”

And from Worcester BID, Samantha McCarthy says: “The anticipation around this new festoon lighting is brilliant to see.  It is in initiatives like this that city centres see their truest benefit from the BID, as a private sector support to provide extra elements to the city centre to assist our shops and business. Delivering projects to enhance the public realm is key to support with the recovery of our city post pandemic. We are encouraging locals and visitors to explore different areas of Worcester, helping spread footfall and spend.”

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Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

along both streets, thanks to Worcester Business Improvement District (BID).

Worcester BID is responsible for the infrastructure and installation of year round festoon lighting along these two popular, historic streets. For years Friar Street and New Street could not have Christmas lighting or bunting due to a lack of fixing points. This is all about to change thanks to the BID. The lights will be in place by the end of October ready to celebrate the festive period and then stay in place into next year and beyond.

Hannah Webb from Bottles Wine Bar on New Street agrees: “We’re so excited at Bottles at the prospect of festoon lighting all down two of Worcester’s most historic streets. As a Worcester girl who has lived and worked largely on New Street and Friar Street it really inspires a sense of nostalgia and I believe will create a gorgeous atmosphere down our already buzzing little streets. They are a welcome addition, highlighting some of Worcester best independent businesses and boutiques. “

Terry Goodwin-Jones and Popi Pribojac own and run The Kings Gallery & Mangojuice Gallery on New Street.  Terry comments: “We are very pleased and excited to hear about the new festoon lighting for Friar Street and New Street. Having traded in New Street for 22 years, it has often felt that we are poor relations to other areas because we never have any Christmas lights, so to now have some permanent festoon lighting is fantastic, especially with the darker evenings coming. It will make these streets so much more atmospheric at night. This is another good initiative by Worcester BID to make Worcester a more attractive place to visit!”

Anja Potze owner of Anja Potze Fine Jewellery on Friar Street adds:  “We are thrilled to have the new festoon lighting on Friar Street, shining a spotlight on our independent boutiques, bars and restaurants. This is a thoughtful infrastructure for BID to put in place – and one that visitors and residents will love.”

And from Worcester BID, Samantha McCarthy says: “The anticipation around this new festoon lighting is brilliant to see.  It is in initiatives like this that city centres see their truest benefit from the BID, as a private sector support to provide extra elements to the city centre to assist our shops and business. Delivering projects to enhance the public realm is key to support with the recovery of our city post pandemic. We are encouraging locals and visitors to explore different areas of Worcester, helping spread footfall and spend.”

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team

Wellbeing and City Treats – Support your Local

New season, new you? Post lockdowns, the appetite for wellbeing is strong. If the media reports are anything to go by, interest in self care and wellbeing (both physical and emotional) is much higher since Covid.  Worcester’s city centre businesses can help boost your mental, emotional and physical health to see you through the Autumn.

Our skin needs additional, different protection in the Autumn/Winter, against increased wind, cooler temperatures and rain.  Protect and enhance your skin as the seasons change with a facial at Simply Beautiful in St Swithun’s Street or at Infinity Beauty in Friar Street.  Book a new nail colour at All About Me in Sidbury and follow up with a hair treatment to soothe dried-out Summer hair at Wicked or Inspirational Hair.

Sleep is vital for your wellbeing and is an area where many people struggle.  Aid your sleep by stocking up on bathtime treats at Lush and The Body Shop.  Rosie Burge is trainee manager at Lush on the High Street.  “Since we reopened after lockdown, we are finding that as well as for gifts, many more people are coming in to buy items for themselves, for bathtime relaxation and also face masks and hair care.  We are very busy in the shop, and customers are commenting how lovely it is to come and in for a full retail experience, and that buying online isn’t as powerful in terms of smell and touch.”

Along the Shambles, health shop Revital has just celebrated its 9^th anniversary of opening.  Post lockdowns, Manager Alex Browning is seeing new faces in the shop as well as established customers.  “There is a huge awareness in health now.  People seem to want to look after themselves, for example vitamin D is an area of great interest, probably due to people staying inside during lockdown.  From September to April, the sun is too far away from us here in the UK for our bodies to produce vitamin D, so this is something people are already starting to stock up on for Autumn/Winter.  Come in and ask us.”

At Fitness4less on Cathedral Square, manager Arran Arougundade reports that the gym and pool are both busy now having suffered with full closure during lockdowns.  “Since the last lockdown we have had many ex-members return and many new members join. Health is so important and we are seeing many take it more seriously, including getting back in the gym, creating a routine so they can be fitter and healthier.  During the Winter it will be vital to see people stay healthy: they need to be encouraged to join a gym so they can still exercise as the evenings get dark and cold. We have a pool, sauna and steam room so our members take full advantage of these luxuries as well as offering free parking for all our members now.”

Insider tip:  Did you know that Alex and Lisa at Revital are both qualified nutritional therapists and can offer expert advice in the shop?

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team

September Style in the City – Support your Local

September is traditionally the time when the fashion industry introduces the new season styles and looks for Autumn/Winter ahead. If you’re not quite ready to embrace Autumn vibes, dress for an extended summer; there’s still plenty of choice in the shops.  For an Indian Summer with daytime sun and cooler evenings, layering works.  Start with your Summer tees and add a light top or jacket to address whatever the weather brings.   Layering is made easier with scarves and lighter weight tops and sweaters.  Head to Stanford and Little Italy next door to each other at the Crowngate entrance on Broad Street. Each one stocks a variety of gloriously coloured pieces which will help you cross over from Summer to Autumn in style.  Add your own individuality in the finishing touches.  Visit Fat Lip on the High Street for stylish costume jewellery to finish your look with panache or head to ? on the Shambles for more choice of layering accessories and jewellery.

Hugh Mckenzie is the owner of Stanford on Broad Street.  “We already have lots of new lines in store ready for the new season.  Our key trends this Autumn/Winter are for tweed, leather and waxed fabrics.  We have a full range of tweed hats and waistcoats which are perfect for transitional dressing. We also are stocking trench coat style raincoats which are big news.  Colour wise, purple, navy and mustard are going to be everywhere. We are looking forward to a busy autumn ahead.”

Head further into Crowngate shopping centre for more of the best fashion finds.  House of Fraser offers a wide selection of men’s and women’s wear across three fashion floors.  Visit New Look to pick up latest looks or head to New England for English Rose styling from Cath Kidson and Seasalt.

For the kids, (including last minute back to school essentials) try Marks and Spencer and for the cutest baby and toddler items, JoJo Maman Bebe.

Insider tip: A lot of body warmth is lost through the head.  Add a hat for a stylish way to add warmth if needed.  Stanford in Crowngate on Broad Street has a great choice.

Insider tip:  Follow New Look Worcester on Instagram for the team’s favourites from in-store.  @newlook_worcester

Insider tip:  Locals love Emporio in Friar Street for its one-off styles, plus jewellery to layer over.

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team

Tasty Worc – Indulge in some of the city’s culinary delights

Outdoor dining isn’t just for foreign travel.  As the Summer sun lowers in the sky and we enjoy an Indian Summer, the array of restaurants on Worcester’s Cathedral Square is as tempting as ever.

Outdoor seating and tables came about as a result of Covid but are loved by many and will stay if and when the weather allows.  Cathedral Square at the end of Worcester’s High Street boasts Mediterranean style vibes with Covid-friendly outdoor dining for balmy September evenings.

Around the edges of Cathedral Square are a wide selection of bars and restaurants with a menu for everyone’s tastes, all with the stunning Cathedral backdrop and a friendly nod from Edward Elgar close by.  So, with the kids back in school, surely a lazy lunch with girlfriends is a well-deserved treat.  Or how about creating some quality family time at the weekend (no phones at the table?!)….. and could Thursdays be scheduled in as regular date night?

On the menu, Zizzi, Pizza Express, Yo Sushi, Cosy Club, Five Guys, All Bar One or Miller and Carter:  the foodie spots in Cathedral Square have a taste for everyone.

At Zizzi, next to the Elgar statue, Molly Massingham is the Assistant Manager who notes that the restaurant is always busy: “Since restrictions eased, we have been constantly so packed every day, all through the week. Customers tell us they want to catch up from being stuck inside for so long and are loving coming out to eat and socialise.  We get great feedback too about the outdoor dining space, giving out holiday abroad vibes.”

Insider tip:  Book Cote Brasserie for date night and toast yourselves to a glass of fizz. Try the Minute Steak for main off the extensive menu which caters for all.

Insider tip: Five Guys milkshakes – say no more!  These handspun vanilla milkshakes come with or without whipped cream, with different flavour options to mix in.  Indulge in Worcester BID favourite Oreo Cookie Pieces!

Insider tip: Yo Sushi menu is not only tasty but it’s a healthy, fresh option at lunchtime.

Insider tip: Locals love All Bar One for cocktails.  Try their Pornstar Martini with the girls on a Friday night.

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team

Staycation with Worcester – Support Your Local

As the Summer starts to transition to the Autumn months ahead, September can often treat us to an Indian Summer in terms of some sunshine and warm temperatures. It’s a beautiful time in Worcester city centre, all the more so with so much going on. This is a great time to plan a weekend visit to the city for friends and family, or to come and enjoy Worcester for those living elsewhere.

Worcester has a selection of hotels and b&b’s to get away and recharge. The city’s oldest pub The Cardinal’s Hat has some stylish Georgian rooms in the Tudor timber framed setting; the Whitehouse Hotel in Foregate Street has a gym whilst the rooms at The Diglis House Hotel and Browns at the Quay both have blissful views over the River Severn.

Nigel Smith is landlord at the Cardinal’s Hat: “We are pleased that since restrictions eased in April, bookings for the rooms at the Hat have been steadily at pretty much full occupancy. It's lovely to see visitors coming to the county from further afield as a result of Summer staycations and we are delighted to welcome them. Guests are interested in the history of the Cardinal’s Hat and also love the central location here in Friar Street which is steeped in history.”

And over at Browns at The Quay, bookings for their boutique rooms are also strong: “We are running at 95% occupancy mostly from staycation visitors,” says the general manager. “There are lots of lovely folk coming to see our stunning city and county. We are proud to have 9.3 rating on Booking.com, which we feel reflects positively on guest satisfaction when they stay here.”

Insider tip: If cricket’s your thing, The Premier Inn overlooks Worcester’s iconic New Road cricket ground.

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest. As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops. BID has been successful to secure its third term with the objectives to promote, support and enhance Worcester.

by BID Team