Too many B's in our alphabet spaghetti

In yesterday's piece about the Market Place plans, we mentioned that one aspect of the proposed redevelopment is to enhance the local economy.
That prompted us take a look around at what sort of help is available for local business - and we've come to the conclusion that the town is top-heavy with organisations that talk the talk ... whilst we seem a little light on organisations that walk the walk.
Apparently local business are falling over themselves to sign up for the Business Support Programme we mentioned a few days ago.
This is something new - basically a series of talking shops that embrace most of the buzzwords of modern business, which take place at the doomed Endeavour Business Park ... another white elephant that cost a fortune but is largely unoccupied.
Then we have such things as BARC - Boston Area Regeneration Company "an independent regeneration company which is working to bring about the Local Area Masterplan."
That in turn works closely with BAP - the Boston Area Partnership, which has similar good intentions for the prosperity of the town.
Now factor in the role of BID, which seems to specialise in clearing litter and weeds and operating another virtually invisible level of security called the Town Rangers (hi ho silver!)
But let's not forget BACC - the Boston Area Chamber of Commerce - which numbers amongst its objectives generating more business through networking events, "introductions to perspective (sic) buyers" and commercial leads, business advice and international trade services; plus better business through training, seminars and workshops.

And what about the BCBN - the Boston Conservative Business Network - which has nine main objectives including raising the profile of Boston as a shopping destination, funding and grants for start up businesses, creating the right environment for business growth - we're sure that you get the picture.
However, according to its website, its first meeting is in March ... and it took some time to discover that this referred to last March - and there appears to have been no report of any activity in the time since.
So many "B" organisations (the "B" is for Boston, by the way.)
And yet between them they seem incapable of promoting a Christmas Market for this year, and worse still cannot get the town centre shops to agree common opening hours on a Sunday ... or whether to open at all.
Pity the visitor who pays the town a visit on a Sunday for a little peaceful shopping. Some shops open at 10am some at 10-30, and others at 11am. Then some no longer bother.
One visit is probably enough to ensure that you don't take the trouble a second time.
Contrast this with Springfields at Spalding, where opening times are universal and adhered to, and where parking is cheap, and the choice of where to shop is a one horse race.

Not only that but the County Council has even laid on a bus service to take you there for the next six months. Or Lincoln if you prefer.

Nice work.
It's time for someone to take a serious look at the alphabet soup that comprises Boston's approach to business.
It needs reorganising - hopefully well in time for Christmas.

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