BID Aims to Build Cleaner Brighter Busier Newquay
Monday 24th January 2011
Source: http://www.southwestbusiness.co.uk/retail/BID-aims-build-cleaner-brighter-bus...
IMPROVING Newquay's flagging image, holding more events and sprucing up the town's streets have been outlined as the three main aims of the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town.
The detailed final proposal for the BID, which could raise £750,000 over five years, has been published this week and distributed to more than 450 town businesses.
The document highlights the difference the scheme could make to Newquay from April this year: but the BID will only go ahead if a majority of businesses vote in favour of it in a ballot to be held next month.
The £750,000 would be raised over five years through businesses contributing 1 per cent of their rateable value into a ring-fenced pot to be spent only on projects for Newquay – projects which have already been identified by businesses during the 12-month BID consultation period.
'Opportunity'
Veryan Armstrong from the Headland Hotel, who is chairperson of the Newquay BID Steering Group, said: "This is an amazing opportunity for businesses in Newquay to work together to improve the prospects of the resort, boosting all our income and conveying a positive image of Newquay at the same time.
"While it's a difficult time to find extra money, we cannot afford to do nothing while other UK resorts are promoting themselves to visitors who otherwise might come here."
As well as projects aimed at increasing business profits, the Newquay BID has also pledged to introduce schemes which will save businesses money over the lifetime of the BID by using the power of numbers to drive down business costs.
One of the scheme's advocates, Andy Cole, owner of Andy's Café on East Street, said: "We've spent a lot of time over the last year consulting businesses about what they want for the future, and we're confident that the BID will deliver improvements exactly where they're needed.
"Working together by combining our skills and financial resources has to be the way forward."
There are plans to further boost the BID coffers by securing additional funding through grants, sponsorship, from landlords and voluntary contributors outside the boundary.
A postal ballot through which businesses can vote for or against the BID will be launched in early February. The ballot closes at 5pm on Wednesday, March 9.
The levy set at 1 per cent means that 64 per cent of all businesses will pay less than £5 per week and 85 per cent of all businesses will pay less than £10 per week.
The lowest contribution will be £75 per year – businesses under £7,500 rateable value are exempt but can voluntarily opt in after the BID vote if they choose – with the highest levy on an individual business being £5,775 per year.
Cornwall Council, which owns 22 assets within the BID boundary, will pay more than £10,000 in a levy to the Newquay BID, but will not influence how this money is spent. To date, the council has supported the BID Steering Group by providing resources to help develop the scheme.
Alongside the three key projects, BID funding will allow for the recruitment of a BID manager who will help deliver the projects efficiently, with maximum benefits to contributing businesses.
Stuart Keogh, of the Skylight Trading Company, said: "This is an opportunity that shouldn't be lost for the sake of a small increase on the business rate.
"There will be a substantial return – if someone offered you a £20 note in exchange for a £10 note, you would accept. That's exactly what will happen if the BID is able to reduce business costs through better deals on electricity and waste collection, for instance."
And addressing himself to the town's traders, he said: " This is one of the most important decisions you will make for the long-term future of Newquay and your business, so please vote 'yes'."
If approved, Newquay BID will become the third in Cornwall, following Truro's in 2007 and Falmouth's in 2009. A BID is also being developed for Camborne at the moment.
The Newquay BID Final Proposal includes full details of what the existing BIDs have achieved both in Cornwall and across the UK.
There are 107 schemes operating to date nationwide.
For more information on the Newquay BID, to download a copy of the Final Proposal or view a film on the BID go to www.cornwall.gov.uk/ businessimprovementdistrict or contact BID Development Officer Mel Richardson on 01872 224733 (e-mail mrichardson@cornwall.gov.uk)
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