Businesses in Staines-upon-Thames have overwhelmingly backed a project that is set to deliver £1.6 million investment in a range of exciting town centre projects over the next five years. The majority of businesses supported plans to set-up a Staines-uponThames Business Improvement District (BID) having been voting for the past month.
The backing will allow Staines-upon-Thames BID to improve the visitor experience, increase footfall and enhance business performance.
Over 76% of businesses supported the proposals to establish a BID in the town centre, and the yes votes represented 72% of the rateable value. The money will come from each business paying between 0.75 and 1.5 per cent levy on the rateable value of each company to a newly formed BID company, depending on whether or not they are in a serviced area.
“I am absolutely delighted that so many businesses have backed the plans that we put together,” said Steven Harvey, Chairman of the BID project and owner of Oasis Estate Agents on Clarence Street. “The BID represents a really bright future for Staines-upon-Thames and by working together, we will be able to achieve great things for the town with this £1.6m of investment over the next five years. “I would like to thank everyone who has supported these proposals, the voters first and foremost, but also the other members of the steering group who have put in hundreds of hours of work over the recent months to get us to this position today. I’d also like to thank our BID Development Manager, Michelle Baker at Regen Management and the team at Spelthorne Borough Council for supporting us along the way.”
Michelle Baker, BID consultant said: “We have lots of work ahead of us, but the BID will be ready to start delivering business and customer benefits in Staines-upon-Thames and we look forward to working alongside the businesses in the coming months.” Staines-upon-Thames BID will formally launch on 1 April 2017. It will be incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and its Board of volunteer directors will be drawn from the businesses in the BID area. Projects will include marketing and promotion to draw in customers, high profile events, new BID Rangers, free WIFI for businesses and parking initiatives. These will be funded by the levy which will be paid annually by all eligible businesses in the area.
Among the BID’s first tasks will be to draw up detailed operating plans for the first 12 months.
There are established 240 Business Improvement Districts in the UK including in Kingston, Camberley and Guildford.
For more information and to view the 5-year BID business plan visit www.staines-upon-thames.bid or contact Michelle Baker, Stainesupon-Thames BID Development Manager on tel 07527 016338 email Michelle@staines-upon-thames.bid
