Feel Alive Survey
In order to measure and maximise the benefits of the publication a survey was commissioned in November 2011. Each BID member received a copy of the survey with the winter edition of the magazine and the BID team made several visits to collect completed surveys. A link was also available online.
You can view the results of the survey here: BID Feel Alive Survey Report.pdf
To summarise
- We received 119 responses (24%) of all members.
- 95% replied that they had previously read a copy of the magazine.
- 96% rated the magazine as either very good or good.
- 95% agreed the magazine was a good way of promoting the city centre.
- 49% think the magazine directly increases footfall.
- 78% felt that the BID should continue to fund the magazine in future.
- 40% of respondents however felt that we should look at decreasing the costs incurred in producing the magazine.
- 71% felt we should keep 3 editions per year.
- 46% of respondents felt that allowing advertising space to companies outside of the city centre would be acceptable if it reduced production costs for the BID. 31% were unsure and 23% were against this option
Respondents were also asked as to how they would like savings invested to which the replies stated:
- 55% - more events
- 51% - Offer/voucher books
- 36% - new visitor maps
- 27% - New interactive website
- 26% - smartphone apps
The BID team will now use these findings to propose any alterations which will benefit the publication and save money which can be otherwise invested in other marketing initiatives to improve footfall in the city centre. These proposals will be put to the BID commitee for their approval.
Annual Visitor Survey
The annual city centre survey gathers the views of both Coventry residents and those living in surrounding areas to assess the performance of the city centre. Information is collected from face-to-face interviews with the public in the city centre (city centre users) and via a telephone survey (collecting the views of both users and non-users). Since its start up in 1999 it has tracked city centre visitor patterns, perceptions and the impact of promotional tools.
Findings from the 2011 survey show the continued negative effects of the recession, with frequency of visits, average spend, proportion of the sample using Coventry City Centre as their main shopping centre and evening usage all having fallen annually since the recession hit. The survey also shows that the pinch is not only being felt in Coventry City Centre but other competitor centres, with fewer respondents visiting centres such as Solihull, Leamington and Birmingham for their shopping.
Trend analysis of evening safety concerns within the city centre show the proportion who say they feel unsafe has more than halved since the survey began in 1999 (from 63% in 1999 to 29% currently). Daytime safety concerns remain low with only 7% feeling unsafe during the day. The influence of threatening groups in the city centre is the aspect most likely to increase negative perceptions of safety.
Events are seen to play a key role in promoting the city centre, with 67% of respondents having visited at least one event in the last 12 months and 31% of attendees stating that visiting an event had increased their use of the city centre. Individually the expansion of the on-streetmarkets has been very succesful across all age groups and postcodes. City centre publications such as feel alive magazine also play a key role in promoting the city centre, 48% having seen this publication.
Findings from the perception analysis of city centre areas of service highlights the low (and falling) levels of satisfaction with parking charges in the city centre. Historically a series of tariff increases in city centre car parks have had a negative impact on satisfaction, but since this survey a short term tariff cut will hopefully support retailing and alleviate visitors negative perceptions. Other key performance results show the high importance placed on personal safety and cleanliness in creating an attractive city centre.
To read the full report please click here
Portas review
Queen of shops Mary Portas released her review on the state of britains high streets
please click here to download a full copy