Businesses vote ‘YES’ for BID2
27th July 2009
Kingston Town Centre businesses have rallied together to ensure a bright future for the area as local businesses voted YES to a continuation of the town's Business Improvement District (BID).
The decision - a result of a four-week postal ballot involving approximately 900 Centre Business Rate Payers - means that all businesses in the town centre will continue to pay a one per cent supplement on their business rateable value.
This means over £4 million will be invested into the Centre over the next five years and will be used to improve Kingston's trading environment and increase tourist, retail and leisure visitor numbers.
Kingston Town Centre Management –the company behind KingstonFirst, the brand name for the BID, successfully spearheaded the first campaign in 2004, which established the town centre as the first BID in the country. Unlike business rates which go to Government for redistribution around the country, the BID levy money remains in Kingston and gives businesses more control over how their area is managed. This year 70.3% of those voting said YES compared with 66.15% in 2004, and there was an approximate 13% increase in turnout.
Councillor Simon James, Executive Member for Economic Development at Kingston Council said: ‘’This is a great outcome for Kingston. By voting ‘YES’, businesses have ensured that Kingston will continue to improve and develop as a town centre we can all be proud of. Since Kingston became a BID in 2004, the town centre has become cleaner, safer and more accessible, and footfall has consistently increased each year. KingstonFirst have worked hard to deliver the services within the town centre and we value the partnership we have formed with them. I also look forward to working with KingstonFirst to make Kingston a safer and more pleasant place to be after dark.
He added: ‘’Securing the second BID term is even more crucial now than ever before – the YES vote will certainly help us through these challenging economic times and secure Kingston’s future as a great place to work and visit. The fact that businesses are prepared to make a small investment now, during this tough period is a positive indication that we will have a lot more to be proud of in the future.’’
Graham McNally, Town Centre Manager and BID2 Champion added: ‘’The YES vote shows that Kingston’s businesses recognise the hard work our team and board have put in over the last five years and the sterling results they’ve achieved brining our growth to the town centre’’.
Rob Dickson, Service Director (Environment and Sustainability) at Kingston Council commented: ‘’Kingston’s vision for 2020, set out in its Community Plan, is to secure better outcomes for local people through a prosperous and inclusive borough. where economic prosperity is shared and everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and a good quality of life. The BID and its partnership between many of the Town’s key organisations play a central and critical part in delivering this vision. This positive YES vote in the current economic climate secures the strongest possible future of Kingston’s town centre.’’
For more information about the BID campaign please contact Graham McNally, Town Centre Manager on 07836 275043 or Liz Ellis, KingstonFirst 07970 471089.
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