Author Topic: BID...Business Improvement District  (Read 15910 times)

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Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #45 on: November 05, 2014, 04:45:44 pm »
Business levy to help bring more people to North Wales' town centres   But not Llandudno... &shake&                                                     
  Private sector firms could come together to create the first Business Improvement Districts in North Wales – with levies on firms used to fund projects to entice people into Bangor and Caernarfon.
Business Improvement Districts (BID) have been formed across the UK with up to £1m a year raised in bigger towns and cities to drive economic development - with businesses in control of how the cash is spent.

It sees around 1% to 2% of the rateable value of units paid by businesses into a central pot that is used to promote and improve the town centres.
Money could then be spent on range of initiatives, from subsidised parking, extra street cleaning, security, to marketing campaigns to bring people into the shopping districts.

A consultation has started in both communities with business owners bring urged to get involved.
If there is enough interest then separate ballots will be held next year in Caernarfon and Bangor with more than 50% of voters needing to back the BID to make it happen.

Rhys Alun Williams, from the Gwynedd Council economy department, said: “This will be controlled by the businesses in the area.

“What happens with the money that is raised depends entirely on what the businesses in that area want, the emphasis is and usual should be to provide something additional to what is covered by the local authority.

“There are various examples, like in Swansea where they have night porters to help people in the evenings, improving safety, some use it for local and regional marketing, some pay for painting schemes.

“It is the choice of the businesses involved, it can mean anything, they are limited only by the imagination and ambition of the BID.”

If accepted every business in the BID area will have to pay the levy but businesses in both centres say that will get back more than they put in by increasing footfall.

Julie Vickers, manager of the Bangor branch of clothes chain River Island, said: “This is about us saying what we need to do to improve our town centres.

“The company has seen how this has worked in Swansea in South Wales. We know it has had a positive impact on River Island stores in Swansea and the town as a whole.

“Now it is about trying to sell the positive impact this will have on everyone in Bangor and Caernarfon.

“This will be a positive act for Gwynedd.
“This can only benefit us, it can’t damage us. Doing nothing, that will be the damage.”

Fiona Evans, manager of the Boots store in Bangor, said: “The fact that this will be led by businesses means we can get what we want, it could be things that are low down on the priority of the local authority.

“Sometimes it is simple improvements on issues like parking that can make a difference.
“It is also how we can change the perception of Bangor to people who do not know the city.
“It is about trying to entice people to come to Bangor, make them come.
“We don’t have a Caernarfon Castle, we don’t have a beach so we have to work to entice people here.
“It needs cleaning up and get rid of any nastiness here, things like graffiti.

“We have these new student halls going up but then you come into the centre - it is all about perception and when parents come looking at the university, are we giving the best perception?

“These areas are not in a dire situation but we can improve it.”

Bangor High Street.Bangor High Street. 
Emlyn Williams, project officer with Bangor City Council, said: “We need to change but businesses are so isolated and this will bring people together.

“People can learn from each other, the independents can learn from the big names.”

The Business Improvement District project is initially funded by the Welsh Government, Gwynedd Council, Bangor City Council and Caernarfon Town Council, working in partnership with local business groups.

But once operational it will be self financing and rely on private sector levies.

By consulting with the wider business community, it is hoped that the project can establish the priorities so that trading conditions for the city and town centres are improved.

If backed by firms a board will be created which will then decide how the money is spent.

Chris Stulfelder from Caernarfon Chamber of Trade added: “This is an excellent chance for businesses to come together and through the BIDs, invest in improvements to the benefit of Caernarfon town centre and Bangor city centre.

“The chamber can see a benefit and we need to sell that to everyone else.

“In Caernarfon it could help us extend the season here.

“The town is packed in the summer but we need to extend that with events and also bringing more local people here throughout the year.”

Andrew Bough, owner of Ty Siocled, Caernarfon, said: “We want to use this funding to bring more people living in villages around the town to come here to do their shop.

“Part of this is helping bring more businesses to the town to ensure people can do all their shopping in the town or subsidise a market to come here a couple of days a week.”

He added: “At the moment maybe just 10% of businesses are working together to promote the town but if this is successful and we have money to spend then the number of businesses involved will go through the roof.

“Also they will want to know how the levy is being spent.”

He added: “The two bids for Bangor and Caernarfon are complementary, we are not competing against each other.”

Priorities drawn from the consultation phase will then be used to assist in the development of an economically feasible business case for the BID.

Cllr John Wynn Jones, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy and Community, said: “This consultation phase is a unique opportunity for businesses to share their aims and priorities on how Bangor and Caernarfon might be improved.

“By completing the consultation questionnaire businesses will be able to shape the priorities of a possible Business Improvement District which may lead to business led improvements in the city and town centres.”

To fill in the consultation questionnaire, and to find out more information about the proposed Business Improvement District, please the project websites: www.agbBangorbid.co.uk . www.agbCaernarfonbid.co.uk . They need to be completed by November 9. Rhys added: “We need as many views as possible on this, positive and negative so I would encourage all businesses to get involved in the consultation.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/business-levy-help-bring-more-8054565

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #46 on: June 08, 2015, 04:54:10 pm »
The Welsh Government has identified the Bay of Colwyn as an area that they would wish to support in developing a Business Improvement District (BID)

The area being considered for the Bay of Colwyn BID includes Rhos on Sea, Colwyn Bay , Old Colwyn and Mochdre and provides an opportunity for businesses to shape the future of the area and build upon recent investments such as Eirias Park, the new beach and the Watersports Centre. The project is being steered by a group of businesses from across the Bay of Colwyn area including the Chamber of Trade and the Town Team supported by the Bay Life Project and a company of BID specialists, Partnerships For Better Business Ltd (pfbb UK).

A BID ensures a sustainable way of creating a cohesive plan with funds to invest in the area that helps develop the town as a destination and as a great place to do business. As this affects you and your business we need as many business owners and managers as possible to get involved, shape the plan and identify what is important to businesses here.

A BID is where the rate-paying businesses decide on improvements in a defined area. They then vote on the plan and agree to invest in the delivery of activities which directly impact upon their business turnover and profit. This money is then ring-fenced to provide the improvements agreed through the BID plan and can be used to generate other revenue to boost the pot of money available to deliver the plan. We intend to take this plan to a vote in October 2015.

For more information about BID’s and how your business can benefit, please see our FAQ page.
http://www.colwynbid.co.uk/


Offline DaveR

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #47 on: June 09, 2015, 08:53:52 am »
I don't see why every major town shouldn't have a BID; it's a great idea.

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #48 on: June 09, 2015, 12:07:03 pm »
I don't see why every major town shouldn't have a BID; it's a great idea.

I agree, but my feelings on this are already well known.

I would point out that the article gives the impression that the Welsh  government chose the Colwyn Bay area,.......... not so, the town team  made the application, and is now being supported by the government after a lot of hard work, with more to come.
I wish them well for the future........ $good$........ ££$

Offline DaveR

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #49 on: June 09, 2015, 12:34:00 pm »
I would point out that the article gives the impression that the Welsh  government chose the Colwyn Bay area,.......... not so, the town team  made the application, and is now being supported by the government after a lot of hard work, with more to come.
That's interesting, I didn't know that.  I've always thought an effective Town Centre Manager would be a real asset to Llandudno, and if they could get things like a BID in motion, then even better.

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #50 on: March 21, 2016, 11:47:18 am »
Quote from: wrex   Yesterday at 09:31:56 PM
Although we have Mostyn estates bringing in new companies into town i really think it needs a person who is not looking toself gain to manage the whole town,a manager who will sell the town,we have everything going for us but there are lots of businesses who do not realise how good we are and need selling too.       
Quote from : DaveR  I agree. A Town Manager is a great idea for that reason, they could also work to obtain funding for refurbishment of public areas, organise events etc as well.

As we are talking about Town Managers on "Everything to do with shops" I thought it a good idea (excuse) to bring this topic to the attention of the uninitiated ............. ¢¢##

Offline DaveR

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #51 on: March 22, 2016, 12:10:41 pm »
Nice to see you 'back in action' on the Forum, Steve.  $good$

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #52 on: March 22, 2016, 12:23:42 pm »
Nice to see you 'back in action' on the Forum, Steve.  $good$

Many thanks, good to be back........You could have turned the heating up..... $sunny$

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #53 on: May 18, 2016, 12:25:28 pm »
I expected teething problems but this first stumble is extremely unprofessional and shows the need for experienced Town managers............                                                                                                         
The low vote (241 out of 800 with only 165 businesses in favour ) should have raised alarm bells, thats 635 businesses not in favour, the BID team should have seen this coming and dealt with it, now they look incompetent, I hope its not to late.......

Levy bills dropping on the doormats of Colwyn Bay businesses have triggered a Business Improvement District(BID) backlash.
Businesses from across the The Bay of Colwyn voted in November 2015 for a BID with a 68% vote in favour after a widespread awareness campaign.
BIDs see firms pay a levy of 1.5% of business rates to pay for improvements in the area like better signage, marketing and free parking. It will raise a funding pot of around £1.3m over five years.

But now as payment demands are sent out to firms some are rebelling with claims that they were not aware the levy was mandatory on all businesses, regardless of whether they supported the BID or not.

READ: Colwyn Bay businesses back BID to raise and spend £1.25m regeneration pot

BID organisers say every effort was made over many months to communicate all aspects of the project with the 800 businesses in Colwyn Bay, Mochdre, and Rhos-on-Sea.

This included BID prospectuses and ballot papers sent to all businesses, visits from the BID team, workshops, and extensive local press coverage.

But David Parrish, owner of Global Tiles, Mochdre, who says his bill is around £1,000, said: “Businesses had no idea about the implication of this, the fact they would have to pay towards it and it was not an option. I have walked around locally and already spoken to businesses who are saying the same as me.

READ: Colwyn Bay's business leaders reveal 11 point plan on how they would spent £1.2m to bring more people to town

“I will have to pay £1,000, what will I get for that money. They are talking about extra signage in Mochdre but surely the council should be providing this already from the rates I pay.”

He said only 241 firms voted, with 165 in favour.

Debbie Giacomet, from Debrett Fires, Colwyn Bay, said apathy had let the BID in and she now wants to oppose it.
She said: “I can’t deny that I knew this was going on but I did not realise that this was not optional and we would all be hit with bills.
“I don’t know if this is too late because really we are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted but we can try and I think other people will be with us.

READ: Colwyn Bay businesses can take control in 'once in a lifetime opportunity'

“I want people to contact me if they are not happy about the BID coming in”

Interim chair of the Colwyn BID Project Board Teresa Carnell said: “The process to create a BID area for Colwyn started well over two years ago and throughout the entire process we have been mindful of getting the right methods of communication so that all businesses had an opportunity to have their opinions heard.”

She said she wanted to try to engage the businesses that were now unhappy with the BID.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/colwyn-bay-business-district-backlash-11347795

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #54 on: August 02, 2016, 12:32:27 pm »
This quote is from today's D.P. talking about "Primark possibly coming to Llandudno".....

"Llandudno has been boosted after becoming one of the towns participating in the UK’s Healthy High Streets campaign.

It will receive a bespoke package of support, including access to skills and expertise, and dedicated High Street Champions from supporting businesses who will work together with the local partnership team, local authority and relevant partners to devise an action plan to address specific challenges in the town.
 “It is an initiative that we feel can keep the focus on the high street and be good for Llandudno."
“Businesses need to get involved to make it work, the success or failure of schemes like this depends on that involvement.”

"The Llandudno Chamber of Trade welcomed the Healthy High Streets news after teaming up with Marks & Spencers Llandudno and Mostyn Estates to apply."

Looking into The Healthy High Streets Campaign" I was surprised to find a smaller version of BID and that Llandudno Chamber of Trade maybe gaining momentum .

Business in the Community ..... BITC.    is part of the Prince's Responsible Business Network
Launched in 2014, the Healthy High Streets programme provides intensive support for high streets. Over a three year period the programme will support 100 locations to revitalise high streets and engage large businesses in their local communities.

The programme is backed by corporate partners Boots UK, EE, Exterion Media, Greggs, Marks & Spencer, Santander and Wilko.  These businesses are collaborating with local town teams to develop and implement activities such as:

Enabling access to landlords to address issues around empty and unsightly properties
Prioritising accessibility and safety
Creating and enabling high profile events to drive footfall
Creation of relevant pop up shops and markets to support start ups
Helping to improve customer service
Providing expert help and resource to market and celebrate the high street.

Figures released in November 2015 show that the Healthy High Streets programme is succeeding in its objectives of increasing footfall, reducing the number of vacant units, and creating jobs. Overall, Healthy High Streets towns have reported.


The BITC site with information links........... http://www.bitc.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do


The Chamber of trade site with information links............ http://llandudnochamberoftrade.co.uk/

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #55 on: August 09, 2016, 11:41:24 am »
Businesses in Bridgend have voted in favour of establishing a Business Improvement District in the town centre which will ensure thousands are poured into the local econony.
More than £480,000 will be invested into the town’s economy from the proceeds of the BID levy over the next three years.
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and funded mechanism for improving the town centre.

The Welsh Government has provided £203,000 to support the development of 10 BID proposals in Aberystwyth , Pontypridd , Abergavenny , Pant and Merthyr Industrial Estates, Llanelli , Neath , Caernarfon , Bangor , and Colwyn Bay , in addition to Bridgend.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/bridgend-economy-boosted-more-480000-11720689


Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #56 on: August 24, 2016, 02:47:47 pm »
Paint job and wi-fi for Caernarfon as first part of regeneration BID.

HWB Caernarfon was set up and this week announced it had secured funding to help firms revamp their properties and also for a town wi-fi service.

The £10,000 pot for painting is new funding made available following a successful grant application by HWB Caernarfon to the Welsh Government's Vibrant and Viable Places regeneration programme.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/paint-job-wi-fi-caernarfon-11791339

Offline DaveR

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #57 on: August 25, 2016, 09:12:02 am »
Paint job and wi-fi for Caernarfon as first part of regeneration BID.

HWB Caernarfon was set up and this week announced it had secured funding to help firms revamp their properties and also for a town wi-fi service.

The £10,000 pot for painting is new funding made available following a successful grant application by HWB Caernarfon to the Welsh Government's Vibrant and Viable Places regeneration programme.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/paint-job-wi-fi-caernarfon-11791339
I think I said several years ago that a townwide wi-fi service would be great for Llandudno; perhaps it's something that the Town Council could organise at relatively little cost for the town centre?

Offline SteveH

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #58 on: November 26, 2018, 04:09:56 pm »
Rhyl businesses 'take control' in   BID  to revive fortunes of struggling town centre

The business community of the seaside town has voted to set up Rhyl BID group with £1m budget

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/rhyl-businesses-take-control-bid-15467185

Offline wrex

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Re: BID...Business Improvement District
« Reply #59 on: November 26, 2018, 04:37:33 pm »
I wish Llandudno buisnesses would do the same