We'll post important information for our business and island community right here, including current updates and areas for consultation.
Earlier this year, the Islands’ Partnership (IP) sought the views of the business community regarding the possibility of setting up a Business Improvement District (BID) for the Isles of Scilly.
The IP with specialist consultants carried out a feasibility study period spanning over 6 months, which included an extensive survey of IP members, the wider business community and the IP’s strategic partners. The study has concluded, that as it stands, a BID model would not be suitable for Scilly. Therefore, we will not be pursuing a BID for the islands.
Whilst this study does not conclude likely BID voting outcomes, the survey results and associated ratings data indicate that there is a high chance of the BID not being supported should it proceed to ballot. In addition, because the business rates funding base is very narrow and too many key parties are not represented in this under a BID’s rules; the economics of a BID for Scilly do not stack up.
The feasibility study has provided us with some incredibly useful data and recommendations. This will be used to help shape the current IP business model to ensure we continue to prosper as a first-rate destination management and marketing organisation.
A summary report from the feasibility study can be read here.
We would like to thank the Council of the Isles of Scilly for supporting this important economic consultation and the business community on Scilly for their feedback and contribution to the BID feasibility study. This will certainly play a part in the next chapter of the IP.
If you have any questions regarding the BID feasibility study or the IP in general, please get in touch with us by emailing enquiries@visitislesofscilly.com or by calling the office on 01720 620601.
Kind regards,
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A Euan Rodger
Executive Vice Chair
Islands’ Partnership
A new cruise leaflet is underway replacing a very well used piece of literature which was both outdated and off-brand. The new leaflet will be packed full of information dedicated to visiting cruisers. It will offer experiences for a half or full day on the islands, plus give reasons to return for a holiday in the future via member advertising. It has a two-year lifespan, so anyone who feels this is an important market to them, please get in touch with amandabond@visitislesofscilly.com for more information or click here for details.
Dear Business Owner,
Business Survey - A Business Improvement District (BID) for the Isles of Scilly?
The Islands’ Partnership (IP), are seeking the views of the business community, regarding the possibility of setting up a Business Improvement District (BID) for the islands to replace the IP.
On the 28th September, we held an initial discussion on this with some IP members and the recording of the whole session can be viewed here.
The presentation slides which provide further information can also be downloaded here.
We are now seeking the views of all businesses on Scilly via a short survey which will take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.
Complete the survey here: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/IslesofScilly
What is a Business Improvement District?
A Business Improvement District (BID), is a business-led and business funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area, addressing business issues and grasping new opportunities. The benefits of BIDs are wide-ranging and can include:
More information can be found on the British BIDs website at: britishbids.info/about/what-is-a-bid
Why are we considering a BID type model for the Islands?
The Islands' Partnership (IP), is a company funded by 4 key stakeholders and membership subscription. It is responsible for marketing the Isles of Scilly as a destination, providing the energy, focus and resources to manage & deliver a wide range of visitor facing activities – events, TIC and visitislesofscilly.com – and wider business support.
We have been initially exploring the possibility of a BID being in place for the Isles of Scilly as an alternative to the current IP model, enabling all businesses to contribute and be represented. Delivering on their ideas for projects or services that they feel are priorities, all of which would be funded collectively if the BID proceeded.
There are 335 BIDs across the UK with the nearest of these being Penzance BID and St Ives BID in Cornwall, both of which have been operating for almost 10 years.
Why your view is important?
The results of the survey will help to give us valuable information about the future needs and aspirations of your business. We can then make sure that the best possible model is put in place to provide a strong business voice for everyone across the islands.
We would encourage you to have your say by completing the short online survey by Friday 17th November 2023.
Please do have a look at the supporting information and complete the survey.
If you’d like a direct conversation, you can contact Will Lethbridge at williamlethbridge@visitislesofscilly.com or Euan Rodger at euanrodger@visitislesofscilly.com who will be happy to arrange a discussion with you.
Thank you for your time and input.
Kind regards,
Euan Rodger
Executive Vice Chair
Islands’ Partnership
06/10/2023
We are pleased to share with you our annual report for 2022/23, membership prospectus for 2023/24 and accompanying membership rate cards. If you wish to discuss membership or have any questions, please get in touch with Will by emailing williamlethbridge@visitislesofscilly.com or by calling the office on 01720 620601. The documents can be downloaded below.
Annual Report & Membership Prospectus
06/10/2023
The 11th Annual General Meeting of the Islands’ Tourism and Business Partnership Limited will take place on Thursday, 12th October, from 1.00 pm - 2:30 pm at the Wesleyan Chapel, Hugh Town, St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly and on the Zoom meeting application.
Doors open at 12.30 pm for coffee & networking before the meeting.
Joining instructions and accompanying documents have been sent to all members by email.
If you have any questions please email Will at williamlethbridge@visitislesofscilly.com or call the office on 01720 620601.
22/09/2023
Notice is hereby given that a meeting (the “Meeting”) of the members of Islands’ Tourism and Business Partnership Limited (the “Company”) will be held at the Wesleyan Chapel, Hugh Town, St. Mary’s and online via Zoom on Thursday, 12th October 2023, at 1:00 pm.
An invitation, digital joining instructions, minutes of the previous meeting and accounts will be issued separately.
The full AGM notice document can be downloaded below.
Notice of Islands' Partnership AGM 2023
06/09/2023
The Isles of Scilly Approved Accommodation Scheme accreditation form for 2023/24 is now available.
If your accreditation is still valid you don't need to do anything, but if you do need to renew your accreditation now or in the near future, please download the form highlighted above.
VisitEngland Assessments services are carrying out inspections and will be coming over to Scilly in the early part of next year. The form can be completed on your computer (like our membership rate cards) and emailed back to visitenglandassessmentservices@aamediagroup.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can print, complete and send to:
VisitEngland Assessment Services
Grove House
Lutyens Close
Chineham Court
Basingstoke
RG24 8AG
All accommodation providers are required to have some form of reputable accreditation to ensure all properties meet basic legal, safe and compliant requirements. You can also contact VisitEngland Assessment Services by calling 01256 338350.
For all other enquiries, please email Will at williamlethbridge@visitislesofscilly.com or call the office on 01720 620601.
01/09/2023
Our General Terms and Conditions of Membership are available to all current and prospective members of IP. You can download and view a copy here.
07/06/2023
In March of this year, the official Instagram (IG) account for Visit Isles of Scilly was hacked.
Steps are being made to retrieve the account from FB.
In the meantime, we’ve created a new IG account to satisfy our programme of social influencers and other VIOS activity.
Starting from scratch, we are relying on the kindness of our partners, supporters, and advocates to support a rapid growth strategy. Can you help? If so, we have pulled together some suggested copy you could put on your Instagram channels to encourage visitors to follow us. Thank you in advance.
Message for your Instagram channel
Story:
Example wording: For inspiration and news about the wonderful Isles of Scilly, give @visittheislesofscilly a follow.
#islesofscilly #scilly
Post:
Example wording: For buckets-full of inspiration and info to help plan your trip the Isles of Scilly, why not give our friends @visittheislesofscilly a follow
New to this tiny corner of the world? Scilly is a south westerly archipelago off the coast of Cornwall - a truly magical place. Think sprawling white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. We think you’ll like it. Give them a follow now!
#islesofscilly #scilly
If you need an image, please contact amandabond@visitislesofscilly.com. Otherwise, we are entirely happy for you to select this yourselves. And please feel free to edit the messages above to suit your channels.
07/06/2023
We are delighted with our new signs to indicate the location of our award-winning Tourist Information Centre (TIC).
Following feedback from visitor surveys and direct conversations with visitors, we learnt that our TIC could be more visible. We had new signs created which are now in place on Old Quay and Porthcressa Bank - facing the back of the Town Hall.
The signs make the TIC more accessible from the point of arrival on the quay and the services it offers. It also ensures visitors know the location and where to come for information, island experiences and tickets.
We had a surprisingly high number of people who found themselves struggling to find the TIC from the area at the back of the Town Hall. Therefore the sign along with the flag should help direct visitors to the TIC.
07/06/2023
Due to the changes in the rented accommodation sector over recent years, the government has changed the law regarding fire safety.
As a business owner or responsible person, you have a duty to comply with the requirements.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the Fire Safety Order ”) is the main legislation that controls fire safety in all premises in England that provide accommodation for paying guests.
The Fire Safety Order applies if anyone pays to stay in your premises or in a room within your premises, other than to live there permanently.
It also applies to all lets that are not let as a principal residence, even if you rent out a room in your premises only once. More info here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-sleeping-accommodation
We strongly advise all accommodation providers and managers read the document "A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire" to ensure they are compliant withe the updated legislation.
The Government are in the process of drafting a replacement guide for larger premises, but at present, the Fire Safety Risk Assessment for Sleeping Accommodation (Sleeping Risk Guide) is the one to use.
01/11/2022
We've received some recent enquries into the annual Visitor Survey. The survey for 2021 is in the process of being signed off. Feedback from 2020 was recorded differently due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The previous Visitor Surveys can downloaded below:
Isles of Scilly Visitor Survey 2018
Isles of Scilly Visitor Survey 2017
Isles of Scilly Visitor Survey 2016
Isles of Scilly Visitor Survey 2015
22/09/2022
Notice is hereby given that a meeting (the “Meeting”) of the members of Islands’ Tourism and Business Partnership Limited (the “Company”) will be held at the Wesleyan Chapel, Hugh Town, St. Mary’s and online via MS Teams on Tuesday 11th October 2022 at 11.30am.
An invitation, digital joining instructions, minutes of the previous meeting and accounts will be issued separately.
The full AGM notice document and proxy form can be downloaded below.
Notice of Islands' Partnership AGM 2022
20/09/2022
The Isles of Scilly Approved Accommodation Scheme accreditation form for 2022/2023 is now available.
If your accreditation is still valid you don't need to do anything, but if you do need to renew your accreditation now or in the near future, please download the form highlighted above.
VisitEngland Assessments services are carrying out inspections and they are hoping to come over to Scilly in the early part of next year. The form can be completed on your computer (like our membership rate cards) and emailed back to visitenglandassessmentservices@aamediagroup.co.uk. Alternatively, you can print, complete and send to:
VisitEngland Assessment Services
Grove House
Lutyens Close
Chineham Court
Basingstoke
RG24 8AG
All accommodation providers are required to have some form of reputable accreditation to ensure all properties meet basic legal, safe and compliant requirements. You can also contact VisitEngland Assessment Services by calling 01256 338350.
For all other enquiries please email Will at williamlethbridge@islandspartnership.co.uk or call the office on 01720 620601.
20/09/2022
We are pleased to share with you our annual report for 2021/22, membership prospectus for 2022/23 and accompanying membership rate cards. If you wish to discuss membership or have any questions, please get in touch with Will by emailing williamlethbridge@islandspartnership.co.uk or by calling the office on 01720 620601. The documents can be downloaded below.
Annual Report & Membership Prospectus
01/09/2022
Our General Terms and Conditions of Membership are available to all current and prospective members of IP. You can download and view a copy here.
15/10/2021
A big thank you tall who attended our Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday. There was a great turnout and some very important points raised yesterday during the AGM. We would also like to thank you for your feedback and comments following the meeting. The Power Point presentation and the audio from the AGM is now available. If you were unable to attend but would like to discuss any matter with us please feel free to email enquiries@islandspartnership.co.uk or call the office on 01720 620601.
29/09/2021
The Isles of Scilly Approved Accommodation Scheme accreditation form for 2021/2022 is now available.
If your accreditation is still valid you don't need to do anything, but if you do need to renew you accreditation now or in near future, please download the form highlighted above.
VisitEngland Assessment Services are still carrying out inspections and they are hoping to come over to Scilly in the early part of next year. The form can be completed on your computer (like our membership rate cards) and emailed back to visitenglandassessmentservices@aamediagroup.co.uk. Alternatively you can print, complete and send to:
VisitEngland Assessment Services
Grove House
Lutyens Close
Chineham Court
Basingstoke
RG24 8AG
All accommodation providers are required to have some form of reputable accreditation to ensure all properties meet basic legal, safe and compliant requirements. If VisitEngland Assessment Services have not delivered all their services you took out last year, please contact them direct by email or by calling 01256 338350 to discuss the matter. For all other enquires please email Will at williamlethbridge@islandspartnership.co.uk or call the office on 01720 620600.
07/09/2021
We are delighted to share with you our annual report for 2020/21, membership prospectus for 2021/22 and accompanying membership rate cards. If you wish to discuss membership or have any questions, please get in touch with Will by emailing williamlethbridge@islandspartnership.co.uk or by calling the office on 01720 620601. The documents can be downloaded below.
Annual Report & Membership Prospectus
07/09/2021
Our General Terms and Conditions of Membership are available to all current and prospective members of IP. You can download a copy here.
10/06/2021
The Isles of Scilly Manifesto for Culture summarises the Isles of Scilly’s cultural ambitions in a single document – expanding on and updating cultural objectives set out in the Destination Management Plan and providing cultural policy context to the Council of the Isles of Scilly’s Local Plan. The manifesto is the product of extensive community and stakeholder consultation and aims to set out clear and deliverable ambitions for cultural development in the Isles of Scilly. It describes the unique cultural, heritage and environmental assets of the Isles of Scilly, sets out context for our ambition for a new museum facility and the strategic policy context for funding bids necessary to achieve these ambitions.
Download the manifesto here.
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© Islands' Partnership
