Figures reveal Chichester city centre is a '˜signature' destination

This comes after figures show that 327,000 people pass through Chichester each week, with a more even footfall due to the regular markets and consumer goods that are wanted continually throughout the year.

Charlotte Wickins, from Chichester BID, said: “Springboard – the national data collector – discuss towns and cities changing from specialist towns – which see peaks and troughs throughout the year due to demand, location, niche specialisms – to becoming more ‘signature’ towns, such as community and market towns where footfall remains consistent due to continual demand for their offerings.”

Chichester BID discussed this data at its 4th annual meeting on April 28, in a presentation by Sven Latham, agreeing that this flatter footfall is what is happening in Chichester.

The Business Improvement District for the city also addressed the challenges faced by businesses in The Hornet and St Pancras, which are out of the general flow of public and may be bypassed by visitors.

BID agreed that further collaboration would be discussed within the Eastgate Square, The Hornet and St Pancras street consultation at The Nags Head, St Pancras, on May 17 from 3-5pm.

Colin Hicks, the new prospective chairman for the BID, said: “People need to know more about Chichester. What we do as the Business Improvement District is about celebrating the wealth of the city – not the politics, and I’m interested in developing further demand for Chichester.”

Chichester Businesses Against Crime was thanked for the work it does in reducing crime, and directors Alex Medhurst from Medhursts and Vince Carpenter from Archibald Shaw were also praised for their volunteer roles on behalf of Chichester BID.

Charlotte Wickins, BID manager, said: “We’re about to start Phase Two of our consultation in advance of our revote in October this year.

“We have a diverse segment of businesses in Chichester City centre, but we need the expertise of our BID levy payers to help us identify what they want and help us deliver this.”