Downtown Host Program:

 

The BDDC will be organizing volunteers to act as Host for Brampton Downtown.  These volunteers will be outfitted in recognizable and easily identified uniform (shirt, hat, jacket etc).  Brampton Downtown Hosts will greet pedestrians, help with directions, inform the public about sales and specials in the area, help with parking information, discuss upcoming events and generally making anyone visiting Brampton Downtown feel welcome.

Sept 22/11 Update:

 

 - all volunteers need to get a Criminal Background Check (standard protocol), we're currently looking into getting the $45 fee waived for our volunteers to encourage participation.

 - all literature has been written to post online to encourage people to volunteer - just waiting for the info above to come through

 - Brampton Safe City, The Brampton Historical Society & The Brampton Rangers Unit are on board to help with this project as well

 - logos & aprons/uniforms are in the production stage

Oct 13/11 Update: 

 

  - the uniforms have been ordered and we are awaiting delivery - stay tuned!

Blank Canvas Program:

 

To enhance the look of Brampton Downtown vacant store fronts will be outfitted with a themed store front window display composed of blank canvasses.  The canvasses will be back lit with flood lights to create an interesting effect that will help beautify the Downtown and create a more enjoyable atmosphere for pedestrians. The Store fronts will be cleaned out and painted white (primed) to create a blank canvas inside for prospective businesses.  One canvas will promote the website MyBlankCanvas.com where information on the program and store front availability in Brampton Downtown will be available.  After a 6 weeks period the blank canvases will be replaced with local professional art to keep the store fronts fresh and inviting for pedestrians to enjoy.

 

To test various window display concepts certain locations will feature different images on the blank canvases.  The canvases will display images related to potential business that could occupy that specific location.  Example, pictures of a bakery to inspire those who would like to open one.  We will also test putting ‘for lease’ signs in some windows.

Sept 22/11 Update:

 

 - the old Downtown Style Window front is 95% done  - go have a look!!!

 - other locations have been contacted and we are waiting to hear back from the landlords - so far it looks very promising that we will be able to access a few more buildings in the next week or so.

Oct 13/11 Update: 

 

 - we had been working with a few very busy landlords in an attempt to get the keys to some of the larger vacant buildings so we could buy canvases in bulk and spend our budget more efficiently. We now have access to 23,25 & 27 Queen East, 10 Main St South and 16 Main st south. The canvases just arrive yesterday and we wil be able to get started end of this week.

Holiday Blitz Program:

 

The BDDC will be working with landlords to create temporary occupancy agreements for the holiday shopping season in hope of attracting some short term retail activity geared to gift purchases.  This is a common occurrence in shopping centers during the holiday rush as kiosks and tables are set up to accommodate seasonal retailers.  A handful of new holiday shopping focused retailers will enable the BDDC to accurately marketing Brampton Downtown as a Holiday Shopping Destination

 

The Temporary Occupancy Agreements will be presented to current Brampton Downtown Retailers to investigate opportunities for temporary expansion of their current operations.  It was mentioned at the Town Hall meeting by a participant that this was common in New York City and was referred to as a Pop Up Store.

Sept 22/11 Update:

 

 - insurance question have been submitted and answered

 - short term ocupancy agreements still in negotiations with landlords 

Brampton Downtown Directory:

 

A comprehensive directory listing all Brampton Downtown Retailers. The directory consists of a cardboard stock folder that display images of downtown, lists the retailers with a map of their locations.  The folder also contains a pocket were retailer coupons can be included.  The Directories have been handed out at the farmers market and a number of Brampton Downtown events. 

 

It was been suggested at the town hall by a service industry business owner that a second service focused directory should be created.  Further communications with additional service industry business owners in Brampton Downtown after the meeting suggested a complete redesign of the program to include all businesses in one directory.  The issue will be discussed in upcoming meetings to reach consensus on how to proceed.

Sept 23/11 Status Update

 

 - we have decided to wait a month and evaluate the effectiveness of the current directory before deciding to table the combined service Industry & Retailer directory issue.  We want to make sure the program is effective before rolling out into a larger format. 

Oct 13/11 Update:

 

We handed out another 150 directories on October 8th during the last Farmers market for the seasons....we will be evaluating the effectiveness of this program shortly.

Holiday / Errand Flyer: Advertising

 

Brampton Downtown can most accurately be promoted as an efficient and effective place to run your errands.  To promote this, newspaper advertisements  will be placed in the Brampton Guardian and other multicultural newspapers to promote this.  The advertisements will resemble To Do lists and focus on specific demographics such as a ‘guys’ To Do list or a ‘Brides’ to do list.  Each business can align themselves with a To Do item…such as getting a haircut.  The BDDC will be subsidizing the first media purchase which will require businesses to contribute financially as well.   This is an opt in program and is dependent on business participation to proceed. 

Parking Awareness Campaign

 

Create and execute a marketing campaign will will inform consumers about parking in Brampton Downtown.

Oct 13/2011 Update:

 

 - we have designed a post card sized parking informmation hand out (click to view) To offset costs of printing i am currently contacting car and driving related sponsors to advertise on the back.  We should be able to go to print during the last week of October.  I wil then hand deliver stacks of the post cards to our member to distribute to cutomers.