Beverley Independents Quarter – Lighting and Public Realm Project 

In May 2024, business owners along Dyer Lane in Beverley raised concerns with East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) Business Support Services about declining footfall and challenges in maintaining viable businesses. This historic part of Beverley, home to numerous micro independent businesses, serves as a crucial pedestrian route linking Tesco car park to the town centre but had seemed to have become overlooked by shoppers. 

Through consultation with many of the businesses along Dyer Lane and Swaby’s Yard, Felicity Clayton of Invest East Yorkshire’s Business Support Services and Nick Russell from the ERYC Local Growth Team it was identified that a proposed lighting scheme be explored. Through liaising with Internal ERYC departments e.g. planning, street lighting and discussions with Beverley Town Council, the feasibility and agreement for the project was achieved. Delivery was progressed with funding through the Supporting Local Business UK Shared Prosperity Fund and was delivered during December 2024. 

The key interventions included: 

• Installation of safety catenary wire and classic strung white lights along Dyer Lane and around Swaby’s Yard, following signed permission from landlords of 16 participating businesses. 

• ERYC Streetlighting Team designed and executed the lighting scheme, including repainting street furniture and the prominent Dyer Lane archway sign. 

• Beverley Town Council committed to the ongoing maintenance of these lights, and now exploring the potential to interchange these seasonally with bunting from the same catenary wire. 

• Local businesses organised seasonal hanging baskets, produced by a florist on Dyer Lane, and scheduled regular musician sessions to enhance visitor experience. 

• A directional sign at Grosvenor House, funded and facilitated by Communities and Place due to planning complexities, was commissioned to guide visitors from Tesco car park into the town centre. 

• The Beverley Independents Quarter Facebook page was launched by the businesses successfully, gaining 460 followers in the first few months. 

An updated Beverley Independents Map, aligned with the Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) brand, was produced for distribution through the Beverley Tourist Information Centre (TIC). 

Outcomes 

• Direct support to 16 independent businesses, with tangible enhancements to their business environment resulting in increased footfall and dwell time. 

• Strengthened community-driven initiatives, including improved collective marketing through social media. 

• Effective coordination between local traders, ERYC, and Beverley Town Council, delivering sustainable and visually appealing infrastructure improvements. 

• Comprehensive collection of evidence by ERYC Business Support Services, including landlord permissions, photographic documentation, and social media engagement data. 

Feedback 

Local traders expressed significant satisfaction with the project’s results, noting increased customer interest and foot traffic. Visitors provided positive feedback via the TIC, particularly highlighting the clarity and usefulness of the new Independents Map. The collaborative approach to problem-solving demonstrated potential for replicating similar initiatives across other parts of East Yorkshire, effectively supporting the vitality and sustainability of independent town centre businesses.