FOR RELEASE 26th February 2021
It’s a YES! – Newcastle under Lyme businesses celebrate positive BID result
Businesses across Newcastle under Lyme have voted in favour of plans of the renewal of Newcastle under Lyme Business Improvement District (BID), securing a significant £1.25 million to be spent on improving the area.
The positive result follows 18 months of planning, in-depth interviews, surveys and workshops and a month-long ballot in which hundreds of businesses in the area were asked to vote on the proposals.
64% of votes cast voted in favour of the BID Renewal Ballot by total number of businesses, and 71% of votes cast voted in favour of the BID by Rateable Value, securing a significant positive margin for the BID.
As a result of the yes vote the new 5-year term of Newcastle under Lyme BID will commence on the 1st April 2021. Businesses with a rateable value of £12,001 or above will pay a levy based upon their rateable value, creating a collective fund of more than £1.25 million to spend over the next five years.
The plans were spear-headed and driven by the Board of business representatives from across the town, supported by PFBB UK, who develop and deliver Business Improvement Districts across the country.
Speaking about the ‘Yes’ vote, Eddie Leligdowicz Chair of the Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Board said: “This is superb news for Newcastle under Lyme and huge congratulations must go to all the businesses which rallied and joined forces to ensure we secured a yes vote in the BID Renewal Ballot. Thanks must go to all those businesses who engaged in the process by sharing their ideas and opinions on how we can work together to improve the area and who, ultimately, voted in favour of the plans to support each other in these challenging and uncertain times. This result could not have come at a better time given the recently announced 4 step road map to recovery and the prospect of a return to some “normality. This coupled with the hugely positive initiatives such as the Future High Street Fund and the Town Deal means fantastic opportunities for Newcastle under Lyme going forwards”.
“The BID’s business plan, which businesses were being asked to vote on, has been designed to begin addressing the issues which came up during the lengthy consultations with many of the businesses in the BID area, from the small independent businesses to large national businesses.”
“The money will now be spent through the three key strategic objectives and their related activities”.
The Newcastle under Lyme BID vision is ‘To build on Newcastle-under-Lyme’s traditions by creating a safe, welcoming, forward thinking town for the whole community’.
Objective 1 in the plan is to support the growth, development, and investment of businesses by working in partnership with key stakeholders to enhance Newcastle-under-Lyme as an attractive and forward-thinking town.
Objective 2 in the plan is to create a safe and appealing town that can be enjoyed by the local community, visitors and people who work in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Objective 3 in the plan is to develop, build awareness and promote, locally and regionally the identity of Newcastle-under-Lyme through collaboration, with a community focus.
Eddie Leligdowicz, Chair of the Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Board, said “A renewal of the Business Improvement District provides us with the opportunity to forge even stronger links between ourselves and the local community to work on projects for the betterment of the town. Towns and cities across the UK are changing rapidly and we need to ensure that Newcastle under Lyme does not get left behind but takes advantage of its unique position in terms of its attractive environment, cultural heritage and the strength of its fantastic people through their passion for the town.”
For more information, please visit https://www.newcastleunderlyme.org/
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