BUSINESSES in Redditch town centre have voted in favour of establishing a Business Improvement District (BID), securing more than £1.4million to improve the area next five years.
In all 90 per cent of voting businesses in the Redditch BID area voted in favour of the BID by number, along with 81 per cent in favour by rateable value.
BIDs were first established in 2005, and have continued to grow rapidly since with over 315 now existing in the UK.
In 2018, BID levy funding, including additional funding and investment funding, produced a contribution figure of £175,136,120.
Commenting on the result, Ken Williams, chair of the Revitalise Redditch Steering Group said: “Redditch faces competition from other nearby town and city centres who have a BID in their area and we were worried that Redditch could fall behind.
“I am delighted that businesses have voted in favour of a BID for the town centre and look we look forward to providing a unified voice for the business community over the next five years as we begin to deliver the projects businesses told us they would like to see delivered.”
Councillor Matt Former, the Leader of Redditch borough council said: “This is fantastic news particularly that the majority of businesses voted for this.
“They, like us, can see the potential that Redditch has and together we can unlock it.”
Throughout the business consultation over the past 12 months, businesses expressed their desire for increased marketing, events, promotion and safety in the town centre.
Following the successful ballot outcome, the BID will now focus on implementing a number of these related projects, including a visitor website, business communications, support for community events, festive event activity and increased CCTV.
For more information on the Revitalise Redditch BID, please visit www.revitaliseredditch.co.uk
