Decision Time For Putney Businesses
Voting begins next week on whether to form new a Business Improvement District (BID)
The area the BID might cover is within pink border
Local businesses in Putney Town centres will begin voting next week on whether to form new Business Improvement District (BID) which would raise money to enhance the local business environment and boost trade.
Businesses have worked together to develop detailed business plans for the BID areas and firms with a rateable value of at least £10,000 will be asked to vote on whether or not to put them into action.
The legally-binding ballot opens 4 November and closes 1 December. The result will be announced the following day.
If voted through, BID companies and boards would be formed to deliver the business plans and to take the lead in identifying and responding to local issues. The move would help each town centre become more self sufficient, more competitive and able to adapt to changing retail patterns.
The BIDs would be funded and led by the businesses within the defined areas. The size of each contribution is determined by the property's rateable value, so small firms pay less and some are exempt.
The Putney BID could bring in around £1.4m over the next five years and would aim to:
• Enhance the town centre’s reputation as a welcoming and accessible place to shop, visit and work
• Create a safer and cleaner town centre
• Bring Putney businesses together to help reduce costs and act as an effective lobbying body
Wandsworth Council business spokesperson Kim Caddy, pictured left, explains more:
“There are currently around 50 BIDs in London and the number is growing. They give business communities a strong voice and focus on tackling the core issues affecting local trade in a way that wouldn’t otherwise be achievable.
“The business plans for Putney and Wandsworth Town include very positive proposals, identified by the businesses themselves, like town centre marketing campaigns and investing in additional street cleaning and measures to address parking and crime. These initiatives would all be in addition to the existing public services provided by the council, police and other local partners.
“I hope both town centres will embrace these ambitious plans.”
Business Improvement Districts are an established approach to town centre management. Operating across the UK for over a decade, there are now approximately 250 BIDs established around the country, with great success in places such as Wimbledon and Kingston.
Find out more at putneybid.co.uk
October 31, 2016