THE newly-formed Weymouth BID (Business Improvement District) is ready to start consultations with local businesses.
BID organisers will collect data from businesses in Weymouth and they will vote early next year on whether the town will have a BID.
If it is voted for, organisers say a successful BID will deliver an investment of between £900,000 and £1.2million over five years, which can be spent on projects to improve business prosperity in Weymouth town centre and surrounding areas.
The BID will also provide extra support and resources for the business community throughout the resort.
A new set of marketing and promotional materials has just been created for the Weymouth BID.
Nigel Reed , chairman of Weymouth BID Ltd, said “Following the financial backing that the BID received from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council we are now ready to start the promotion and consultation process with the business community.
“This will involve collating data from businesses within the BID area.
“The business community assisted by the steering group will then create a business plan, which hopefully will be supported with a yes vote in early 2013.
“The Business Plan will be essential to the success of the Weymouth BID and will need to show that it will create a viable, practical and creative vision for our town.”
There are more than 120 BIDs across the UK. They were established in the UK in 2004 and local authorities have a number of support duties to them such as collecting the levy from businesses and enforcing against non-payment.
Brian Cooper, chairman of the Weymouth BID marketing group, said each business in the area will be contacted by telephone to confirm correct contact details. He added: “This will be followed by a pack of information and a questionnaire being sent to the business and then a follow up phone call.
“It will give businesses the opportunity to ask any initial questions that they may have and to get one of the BID steering group to call back.”
The BID website will be updated in early August. Local businesses will be able to use the website to contribute throughout the consultation process and help form the business plan put forward in the formal ballot.
Contact Nigel Reed on 01305 767675 or on 07967 362585 or email nigelreed@ basepoint.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article