A group of Stockport business professionals are the driving force behind a new initiative which aims to create a more vibrant, sustainable town centre with an improved offering for everyone after identifying that, like many traditional Town Centres, Stockport is under real threat of becoming irrelevant to the citizens of their surrounding communities and neighbouring areas.
Vision Stockport, a trading name of Stockport Community Interest Company, (CIC), will be working in partnership with town centre businesses, residents, organisations and visitors to encourage, generate and seek-out ideas and projects that will enhance the appeal of and attract more people into Stockport.
A founder member of Vision Stockport, Tony Millar, (below) explains:
“Despite a number of key regeneration projects now underway there is a risk that the Town Centre will continue on a downward spiral of economic viability resulting in poorer retail and visitor appeal, fewer occupied shops and offices, property dereliction, shrinking business rate revenues, less policing, poor street behaviour, and increased perceived personal danger. This will drive away businesses and their employees located in the Town Centre and driving away visitors and citizens who otherwise might live in or visit the Town Centre and spend their income and leisure time here.”
While Vision Stockport will be coordinating innovative ideas and inspiring enthusiastic partners, it is not their intention to deliver projects but to encourage groups to work together to inspire others and to deliver great ideas and explore routes for funding.
Jean Walker, Chair of Vision Stockport (left) said:
“It is not the intention of Vision Stockport to dictate or commission projects directly but rather to be catalysts for change, engaging with, supporting and encouraging people and organisations to work in partnership to implement initiatives that will enhance the appeal of, and bring people to, the Town Centre.
“There are already exciting regeneration projects and new developments in progress in Stockport; we want to applaud all that is happening and complement the good work that is taking place to promote the future economic viability & wellbeing, vitality and sustainability of Stockport Town Centre, through their own channels and in partnership with these complementary initiatives and groups.
“We want to create belief amongst our own citizens that Stockport Town Centre is a good place to work, visit and enjoy”.
Stockport – bidding for a Business Improvement Distrct …
Vision Stockport is the company behind the Stockport BID (Business Improvement District), launched earlier this month, an initiative focused solely on improving the visitor experience in the Town Centre, including shoppers, business users and tourists.
Below: The proposed BID area marked in red
Leading the BID team is Tony Jones (below) who comments:
“We have identified the core BID area of the town. Funds for the BID are generated from a levy in addition to business rates with the levy is usually set around 1% of the rateable value and therefore not too great a financial burden on businesses. However, the sum of the levy amounts for the BID area can provide a collective fund that can make a huge difference and have great impact, generating as much as between £75,000 to £200,000 per annum, dependent on the size of the BID area and the levy percentage.
“The BID will allocate the money on items that are important to those paying the levy. Usually BIDs have delivered improved and more frequent events, enhanced safety and security in the Town Centre and better car parking provisions.
“The expenditure is controlled and managed by a panel representative of the BID area, such as large and smaller retailers, professional services companies, landlords and representatives from the heritage and culture sector in the Town”.
For more information please visit www.stockportbid.com or www.visionstockport.org the steering group behind the launch of the BID along with Stockport Council.
Background to Vision Stockport
Vision Stockport is a trading name of Stockport Community Interest Company (CIC) set up to help to create a more vibrant, sustainable town centre with an improved offering for everyone. Working in partnership with town centre businesses, residents, organisations and visitors the aim is to encourage, generate and seek-out ideas and projects that will enhance the appeal of and attract more people into Stockport.
Vision Stockport Board:
Alison Bowcott – McGrath: Managing Director, Bo-Concepts Limited
Mark Haberfield: Director, Stagecoach Services Limited
Malcolm Hurst: retired founder of Hursts Accountants
Tony Jones: Managing Director, Orbit Developments
Tony Millar: Managing Director, Millar Landscapes
Jean Walker (Chair): Partner, SAS Daniels LLP
Helen White: Co-founder Marketing Stockport Ltd