Diagnosis: Acute and Enthusiastic Topophilia

Here’s a new word for the new season: Topophilia: the love for, and an associated strong sense of, place, which often becomes mixed with the sense of cultural identity and a love of certain aspects of such a place. This is the very definition of what St Albans BID works to achieve: a strong sense of and an emotional attachment to a place. There is economic strength to be found in encouraging topophilia in your customers: it stands to reason that those who have an emotional connection to a place are more likely to spend their time (and money) in that place. Events bring emotional attachments. Hard to quantify, and even harder to measure, when memories of ‘good times’ are formed, they are frequently embedded in the memory of that place, its sounds, its smells, its impression on your soul.

In an effort to spread an epidemic of topophilia around our city, TimeTurn returns on Sunday 22 September to revisit the famous faces of its past with visitors answering a quiz trail around the city. Historic vehicles, cars, motorbikes, scooters and commercial vehicles will line the streets and businesses of all types, shops, restaurants, banks and public houses will be joining in the fun by creating their own retro feel. Completed trail sheets will then be returned for a small prize and a chance to win a £50 St Albans Gift Card.

Hot on the heels of Pub in the Park and TimeTurn, St Albans Food & Drink Festival continues to enhance and celebrate the range of excellent food and drink opportunities here in St Albans. And of course, the hotly anticipated George Street Gin & Jazz will be returning on 4 October with more gin, more jazz and more opportunities to fall in love with the Cathedral Quarter than ever before. Bring your friends, enjoy contemporary takes on classic jazz standards from the St Albans Jazz Ensemble, and buy your drinks from the myriad of bars delivered by our excellent businesses.

These events are central to the work of St Albans BID. Encouraging our audiences to spend quality time with their friends and families creates stories, experiences and improve their quality of life, in our city centre, will improve the emotional attachment to and economic benefits for the community and the city. ShopLocal and get involved: we’re sure you’ll catch the bug too!

Any businesses who’d like to get involved are encouraged to contact the BID office. Posters and fliers will be available soon, so let the BID office know if you’d like some to display/distribute.  

This article originally appeared in the Herts Advertiser September 2019