Warwickshire News Mine

Warwickshire became a national pioneer of Business Improvement Districts late last year following the successful adoption of one of the first ever BIDs schemes in the UK in Rugby.

The event was aimed at raising awareness of the potential benefits of town centres and industrial estate BIDs to a broad number of interested parties across Warwickshire. It was attended by more than 100 delegates from County, district and town councils, Town Centre Partnerships, industrial estates, Government Office for the West Midlands, Advantage West Midlands and other key stakeholders.

Guests were given both a national and Warwickshire overview of the success of BIDs so far. This was followed by Warwickshire case studies including the recently successful Rugby BID, through to feasibility BIDs currently underway in Leamington Town Centre and Bayton Road Industrial Estate and a themed potential BID in Rugby. There followed the nuts and bolts of a 12 month old BID in Bedford and the event finished with lively and interesting panel debate/ Q&A.

Jacquie Reilly, Partnership Development and Communications Manager for the ATCM, gave a national overview of the BID concept and how they work in the UK. Having spearheaded the National BIDs Pilot Projects for ATCM, Jacquie commented:

“A BID district provides direct benefits to local businesses through a number of means including public realm, safety and security, cleanliness and a good reputation. These are all services over and above those provided by the local authority and the levy is wholly ringfenced for the BID area, unlike rates which go to a central pot.

“All businesses within the BID area have to contribute if it is voted in by majority, which avoids an all too common problem within town centres and other business areas of freeloading. Everybody benefits so everyone is expected to pay.”

Warwickshire County Council has played a key role in the national BID pilot scheme and is unique in its approach to supporting town centre regeneration. As well as helping town centre partnerships to get off the ground in all seven of its main towns, the County provides a strategic steer and coordinated approach to the development of its town centre partnerships.

Warwickshire’s Town Centres Regeneration Manager, Sue Ashley, outlined the County’s involvement in the pilot and the knock on benefits for Warwickshire.

“We are delighted that all the effort and hard work that has gone in to the Rugby BID has paid off, particularly as it has given us the impetus to help roll the BIDs initiative out to other areas in Warwickshire. That is not to say that the hard work stops here – it is just beginning!

“Through the pilot project we have identified new ways of working as well as helping to inform government legislation. A Warwickshire BIDs best practice and toolkit has been developed.”

Warwickshire County Councillor and Economic Regeneration Portfolio holder, Chris Saint, added:

“This excellent, well attended conference provided opportunities for everyone to benefit from such a diverse and experienced range of delegates. We are confident that we have raised a significant level of interest in the opportunities that BIDs provide and look forward to seeing other schemes develop across Warwickshire.”

The event was introduced by Cllr Saint and chaired by Warwickshire’s Strategic Director for Environment and Economy, John Deegan. Other keynote speakers included Mo Aswat, Consultant at Mosaic Consultancy and currently executive director for Bedford Town Centre Company and lead on the Bayton Road Industrial Estate BID; Robin Richter, Managing Director of the Rugby Town Centre Company and BID Company Chair; John Armstrong, Consultant – Rugby BID Consultancy Ltd; Stewart Weavers, Company Secretary to Loades plc, the largest employer and principal landowner on Bayton Road (the largest industrial estate in Warwickshire) and Rob Godfrey, Programme Manager for Bayton Road from Warwickshire County Council.

For further information on Warwickshire BIDs, contact Sue Ashley on 01926 412818, email: sueashley@warwickshire.gov.uk

Link to WCC