Vision Stockport’s BID to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) for Stockport is moving closer as the campaign enters a new phase.
Since being appointed at the start of the year, BID expert consultants The Means have met with over 100 town centre businesses within the designated BID area where the response is positive, indicating that over three quarters are in support of Stockport gaining BID Status.
The documented BID proposal is currently in circulation along with a BID Business Plan that includes details of BID funding and, as a result of feedback throughout the initial consultation phase, includes the types of projects that the BID would fund and support.
Over the next few months, Vision Stockport’s BID team, the consultants and enthusiastic volunteer ‘champions’ from around the town will be out talking to the business communities in the town and campaigning until the BID ballot takes place in October.
Heading the team for Vision Stockport’s BID is local businessman Paul Taylor, CEO of popular local radio station Imagine FM. He is passionate to bring about positive change for Stockport’s town centre:
“It’s no secret that over the past few years Stockport has struggled to attract people into the town, most especially in the evenings. But we are not alone; towns and cities throughout the UK are fighting to survive among competition from out-of-town retailers and the Internet.
“But we have a real opportunity, through Vision Stockport’s BID, to change the perceptions and the offering. There are already over 200 successful BIDs in the UK, including at neighbouring Manchester City Centre and in Altrincham.”
A BID programme is funded by a levy based upon the rateable value of qualifying business properties that fall within the BID area. This is usually 1-2%. Monies generated are used to fund projects over and above those provided by the council, as directed by the BID’s local business community.
Jean Walker, chair of Vision Stockport, who kicked off the BID campaign wants the BID to support and compliment the new developments and initiatives that are already underway in the town:
“We are seeing the most exciting and significant changes to Stockport in a generation. Work on the Council’s £900m investment programme has begun in the town and across the borough.
“Through a successful BID, we want to encourage the sharing of ideas and complementary initiatives that will support the development taking place and attract more people into the town, whether to work, live or visit. We want to drive ideas that will provide a greater choice, in a safe and secure place and build a town fit for the future.
“That is why it is important that people understand the benefits and lend their support to a successful BID ballot in October.”
The development of the Stockport Town Centre BID is being supported by Stockport Council, who themselves are investing in the town. Over the past 12 months SMBC have been investing in town centre property with a view to giving new life to some of the empty properties and giving them, quite literally, a new lease of life.
Until they are developed for new use, the shops on Lower Hillgate are being made more attractive and have been fitted with ‘mock-shop’ vinyls, a collaborative project between Stockport Old Town, Stockport Council and Vision Stockport.