Why a Stockport BID is great news for us all

Just in case you’ve been out of circulation and off Twitter for the past few days, Stockport has voted for a Business Improvement District – a Stockport BID!

By Helen White, Marketing Stockport & Vision Stockport 

This is one of the most exciting opportunities that Stockport has had for many years, if ever! Has there ever been a better time to be a part of Stockport? I doubt it.

Just over 2 years ago a group of Stockport business men and women set up Vision Stockport, a Community Interest Company, to encourage and support projects that could make Stockport a better place, a great town, for everyone.

I am proud to be a part of that team and, after 18 months of hard work and campaigning, the first project is about to kick off – and it’s huge!

BID for Stockport town centre – courtesy of 360 spin

The Stockport BID will generate almost £2.5m of additional funding over the next 5 years, specifically ring-fenced for projects that will enhance the town centre’s offering. First priorities are to make the town centre a better place for customers and employees; to improve the marketing of all areas of the town and to make it easier to do business in Stockport.

We have already listened to some great ideas in the run-up to the vote from businesses in the BID area. Ideas that will create a more vibrant town centre; a place businesses want to locate to, where employees want to work, where shoppers want to shop and where visitors want to visit.

There are already some great people doing fantastic things for Stockport: Foodie Friday has been a phenomenal success; the teenage market is engaging with young people in the town; Vintage Village, Stockport Old Town festival, Robinsons’ Beer Festival – so many great projects – and the BID will be able to support even more.

How good will it be to have an evening economy? By bringing more people into the town and encouraging them to stay longer, businesses will grow and be able to offer more choice.

So, exciting times ahead for Stockport, for businesses and for everyone. A Stockport BID – thankfully, YES!

First published in the Stockport Express today