b'On behalf of our Directors, we are proud to present our 2021/22 Annual Report. Throughout this year, Hitchin BID has worked with commitment and dedication to support the local business community and this report clearly sets out our achievements across our core strategic areas. 2021 was a year of seismic change and numerousThis annual report details the ways in which we have challenges for our businesses, the local community andcontinued to deliver in line with our core themes: our the country as a whole. With the start of the COVIDday to day operations, from our street Rangers and crisis in late March 2020 and subsequent nationalbusiness safety, to our town wide events and marketing lockdowns, we have repeatedly had to adapt to changesactivity, and how we continue to add important value to in guidance and restrictions as the pandemic evolved.businesses across Hitchin town centre. Two years on from the start of the pandemic, its clearThe strength and resilience shown by the BID and that the world is still adapting to the new landscapeour business community over the past year has been before us: with changed working practices and someincredibly inspiring, but we know that the hard work ongoing restrictions. Throughout this challenging year,is not over. As your BID, we will be ahead of the curve the work of the BID has been arguably more neededon future challenges, helping businesses navigate a than ever. Despite the difficulties brought about by thenew course and finding new ways of re-energising pandemic, this thirdyear of our third term saw Hitchinour beloved town centre. It will not be easy and we BID maintaining its position in the community as acannot do it alone, but with a strategy based on genuine symbol of continuity and reassurance, as we listenedinsights and a determination to continue to deliver to the needs of businesses and worked alongside ourfor our wonderful business community, much can be partners to continue delivering and enhancing theachieved. We hope you enjoy looking back on some of footprint during a very difficult time for many.the successes and challenges of the past year. We look Our agility has enabled us to pivot to where theforward to building on the achievements outlined in greatest need has been, while still maintainingthis annual report, as we continue to harness the power momentum on some of our big strategic projects.of collaborative action to ensure the best possible Early on in the pandemic, the Hitchin BID directorsrecovery for the area and enhance the prospects for took prudent decisions to pause some of our day-to- the businesses that make Hitchin such a vibrant and day activities, focusing on providing what our diverseexciting place to be.business community most needed. In a year that has been undeniably difficult for all businesses, weve been passionate about offering support and solutions wherever we can - from providing assistance to some of the most affected businesses in our community; to supporting businesses as they adapted their offer and providing clear, accurate communications to our stakeholders.Tom Hardy,As ever, partnership sits at the heart of the BIDManager of the movement, and our ability to collaborate with ourHitchin BID Company partners at North Herts Council, Herts County Council, Herts Police, our local MP and with wider stakeholders has been vital this past year. In a year when the importance of shopping local and supporting your local high street has been highlighted more than ever, we are proud to have delivered a successful High Street Reopening Plan to support businesses and breathe new life into our town centre. 2 Hitchin BID Annual Report 2021/22'