21st April 2017: Projects funded and supported by Luton Business Improvement District (BID) this year have made Luton town centre cleaner and tidier.
In line with one of the BID’s main objectives for 2017; to make the town centre more attractive and appealing for visitors and workers, a number of significant environmental initiatives have taken place since January or are about to start.
The projects include:
- The purchase of a glutton vacuuming machine to clear hard-to-reach pavement cracks and kerbsides of litter. The machine, which has been loaned to and operated by Luton Borough Council while the BID continues to fund the maintenance costs, has been used to collect 21,000 litres of rubbish in the last three months alone – that amounts to 84 giant refuse sacks.
- A Tidy Day last month where 25 volunteers from local businesses took part in a two-hour clean up, collecting 21 refuse sacks of litter from over 15 town centre streets.
- A monthly overnight deep clean programme targeting streets and areas most in need of cleaning. The deep cleans involve pressure washing pavements and surfaces, chewing gum removal, litter-picking and a general tidy up. The programme began in March and will continue monthly throughout 2017.
- New chewing gum boards which went up around the town centre in early April to encourage people not to drop their gum on the streets.
- Six new bins for the town centre which include bait trays to help control and reduce vermin numbers.
- Floral hanging baskets, flower displays and window boxes around the town centre. These are planned to return this spring following excellent feedback from visitors and businesses last year.
Abbas Shaffi, director of Shaffi & Sons Ltd and BID director said: “The cleanliness and tidiness of Luton town centre remains an important issue for BID businesses which is why we are committed to improving the town centre environment to make it a welcoming and attractive place for residents, visitors and workers.
“Although our projects are organised and solely funded by the BID, we rely on the support from third party agencies and BID businesses to make our initiatives a success, particularly the cleaning schemes which complement and improve the council’s existing provision.
“We are delighted that so many BID businesses have got behind us and that the BID’s work is having such a positive impact to the appearance and overall feel of the town centre. We are excited for the return of the floral displays this spring and to continue our efforts for the rest of the year.”
Tokko Youth Centre volunteered three members of staff to take part in the BID’s recent Tidy Day initiative. Andy Calvert, Executive Manager said: “We were very pleased to have been involved in the recent Tidy Day which I think is a really fantastic project. Businesses volunteering together and leading by example to clean up the town centre is a huge step to helping to improve the local area. There was a real sense of teamwork and a great feeling of pride among everyone who took part. We will definitely be supporting future BID Tidy Days.”
Investing and supporting environmental projects throughout 2017 is all part of the BID’s commitment to improving Luton town centre.
For more information on Luton BID and its various events and initiatives throughout the town centre, please visit the BID website www.lutontowncentre.org or contact a member of the BID team by calling 01582 510657 or emailing info@lutonbid.org.