Need information on the go? Meet the Bid Rangers

Paid for by the retail consortium-voted scheme to boost trade in the town, the Business Improvement District Rangers will have ambassador roles, providing information for visitors and local people, as well as being on hand to answer shoppers’ questions and talk to businesses about their issues.
According to Newbury BID spokeswoman Caroline Paus the blue t-shirt adorned representatives, Thatcham resident Peter Breen, aged 27, and 38-year-old Nettie Griffin, will also be on hand to deter anti-social behaviour and report any town centre issues to relevant organisations.
Mr Breen has been a Neighbourhood Warden with the Thatcham-based team for over five years.
“We will be the eyes and ears on the streets, able to report and speed up any action that needs to be addressed,” he said.
Ms Griffin has worked for Sovereign Housing Association for five years, and she said she was relishing the challenge of putting some of her skills gained over the phone, into the face-to-face arena in Newbury town centre.
The pair, who will work two at a time between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday for the next five years, are part of the Business Improvement District initiative which formally started in July.
Last year two church-led projects led to the introduction of street pastors and chaplains on the streets of Newbury.
Both projects focussed their efforts on those who may need emotional or physical support, with Street Pastors targeting late night revellers leaving pubs and clubs and the town centre chaplains offering daytime support, similar to the work of Samaritans.