Northampton Town Centre BID has appointed hospitality professional Liam Stevens as its latest town centre host, with a focus on strengthening links with businesses and the night-time economy.
Stevens has worked at venues including The Optimist and O’Neills and will use his experience of the town’s hospitality sector to engage with retailers, hospitality operators and other businesses.
The Northampton Town Centre BID host will also provide help to visitors and work alongside fellow host Balpreet Singh as a point of contact between businesses, the BID and local authority partners.
Stevens said: “Since moving to Northampton a few years ago I’ve got to know the place well and working in town centre pubs has given first-hand experience of the hospitality sector and the nighttime economy.
“I’m looking forward to giving businesses the chance to get more involved in how the BID operates, speaking to them to find out what they want, what ideas they have and how we can work together to turn those ideas into actual activities.
“The town centre is definitely on the way back up. I know of many venues that are seeing things picking up significantly and the pavement licences are a big help with that, creating some vibrant little areas that are attracting people back into the town.
“The BID does some amazing work for town centre businesses and I’m looking forward to being part of the team.”
Andrea Smith, co-chair of Northampton Town Centre BID, said Stevens’ experience in hospitality would give him an understanding of the issues facing businesses operating in the town centre.
She added: “We are delighted to be welcoming Liam to the BID team and he brings valuable experience from his previous roles within the town’s hospitality sector. He knows the town and the nighttime economy well and is passionate about its fortunes.”
