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N E W S Can BIDs Revitalise Cheshire? What are BIDs, and why are they so good for the business community? A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led partnership, usually operating within a local authority boundary, created through a ballot process to provide additional services to local businesses. There is no limit on what extra services can be provided, so improvements and projects are varied and wide-ranging, tailored to meet specific needs of the local business community and encourage growth, for example, through: · Increased footfall · Improved staff retention · Business cost reduction · Area promotion · Business networking · Assistance in dealing with the Council, Police and other public bodies. Being part of a BID means local businesses have more influence over issues that affect them and can actually direct what improvements they want to see in their areas. Some BIDs concentrate on town centres, while some are focused on other commercial, industrial and mixed use locations. Who funds a BID and who can establish one? A BID is funded primarily through an increase in local business rates: a BID levy. Once a BID has been approved, the levy is charged to every business within the BID area (regardless of whether or how that business voted in the ballot). This is one reason why it is so important for local businesses to stay informed of new and existing BIDs; so that they can make their voices heard from the very beginning. The BID can be set up by the local authority, a business rate payer or a person or company whose purpose is to develop the Business Improvement District area, or has an interest in the land in the area. While there are initial costs to starting a BID, the government set up a £500,000 loan fund in October 2013, which has helped many communities that have created BIDs overcome start-up costs. Information on setting up new BIDs, the special loan fund, and how BIDs work can be found on the UK Government?s website: www.gov.uk/guidance/business-i mprovement-districts Cheshire Success Stories: Perhaps the most impressive success story for Cheshire is The Winsford 1-5 BID. Established in November 2005, approval of the first non-retail BID in the UK was granted by a majority of 89% of business voters. 9.
n e w s This led to a five-year investment programme of around £480,000 between 2006 and 2011, targeting The Winsford Industrial Estate. According to The Winsford 1-5 Business Enrolment Group, the BID ?dramatically? improved the estate and made ?changes for the better in relation to what the businesses housed there both needed and wanted.? The BID was deemed so successful that another, follow-up, five-year BID was proposed and put to vote, passing with a 92% majority among impacted businesses. Up-to-date news about how The Winsford Industrial Estate continues to prosper due to the ongoing BID is available through the official Winsford 1-5 website: https://www.winsford1-5.co.uk. Other successful Cheshire BIDs include The Astmoor BID, a partnership between businesses and property owners on Astmoor Industrial Estate in Runcorn and a range of partner organisations including Halton Borough Council. The BID has led to improvements such as a 31% reduction in crime, and free training courses. The CH1ChesterBID, which currently represents over 500 businesses, focuses on enhancing the positive experience of visitors to Chester and promoting investment in the city centre. To this end, the BID has been able to increase business savings through group procurement and discount schemes, while also investing in marketing campaigns. Staying Informed There is currently no central UK Government database of Business Improvement Districts. Such a database would be invaluable to businesses both within Cheshire and across the UK. Especially considering the current government policy of greater business investment in the North, exemplified by the Northern Powerhouse project, such a database would be a relatively low cost initiative promising large return. As BIDs continue to spread and gain prominence, it may be a new central, government-administrated database will emerge. In the meantime, BID Intel, an independent, volunteer-run website which collects details about BIDs in the UK, is a handy resource for those who wish to stay informed about BIDs in their area: https://www.bidintel.co.uk While BID Intel stipulates that users do not rely solely on the data displayed on the site, and that it is always best to check with individual BIDs for confirmation of details, until such a time that the UK Government offer an alternative, this site remains the best first port of call for businesses interested in opportunities in their areas. Business Improvement Districts have certainly done much to increase business growth since the first BID was established in the UK over twelve years ago, and, judging from their continued success, they are on track to do much more. w w w.m cuk-fit out s.co.uk TEL: 01928 771 010 EBL Cent re, Runcorn, WA7 4UA Your Next Shopfit t ing and Building Part ner MCUK Fitouts Provides Products And Services To Clients Throughout The United Kingdom As An Integral Part In The Development Of Their Estates, Including Shopfitting, Project Management And A Range Of Building Works. MANUFACTURING AND JOINERY DRY LINING AND PARTITIONS MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SERVICES DECORATION AND FLOORING STRUCTURAL AND BUILDING WORK SHOP FRONTS AND SHUTTERS 10.
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