Launch of the Waterfront Business Plan
A five-year, £6.2 million plan to secure a more successful and profitable future for Plymouth’s Waterfront and its businesses 
will be unveiled on Wednesday (January 25) with the launch of the first ever Plymouth Waterfront Business Plan.
David Wheeler, Chairman of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: “This is an exciting time for the Waterfront which will have, for the first time in its history, a clear Business Plan designed by business owners to drive visitor numbers, improve the business trading environment and profitability.
“I hope as many businesses as possible will join us to celebrate the launch of a plan, which they have shaped at every step of the way over the last year, and to meet with the Board to discuss any remaining questions they have.”
Under a BID, businesses will be asked to make an annual contribution to help fund delivery of improvement projects – with a third of businesses contributing less than £100 a year and half between £100 and £500.
For every £1 contributed by Waterfront businesses a further £2 (£2.4 million in total) will be targeted in match-funding by PWP. On top of this Plymouth City Council has confirmed it will support the initiative by ring-fencing £2.7 million of funding for services on the Waterfront for the full five years of a BID and also contributing £673,000 in match funding to the BID.
Following the launch of the Business Plan, Waterfront businesses will receive BID Ballot papers by post for the confidential postal Ballot being run throughout February by the independent Electoral Reform Services. The deadline for Ballot papers to be returned to Electoral Reform Services will be 5pm on March 2.
Businesses are being invited to the launch of the Plymouth Waterfront BID Business Plan, on Wednesday January 25, at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Armada Way.
Two sessions are being hosted during the day: 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 8pm.
Businesses wishing to attend are asked to contact Plymouth Waterfront Partnership in advance to confirm which session they are coming along to. Email: waterfrontmanager@waterfrontbid.co.uk or telephone 01752 305424.
Related articles
- Plymouth Waterfront Business Improvement District (plymouthbuzz.com)
- Plymouth Waterfront BID (plymouthbuzz.com)
Plymouth City Council are proposing, over a 5yr period, to put in a capital investment of £673,000 towards the Waterfront BID.
Council officers appointed to execute the BID will draw management & administration salaries amounting to £688,000, over the same 5yr period, directly from the BID.
That’s a short fall on PCC’s part of £15,000 which will need to be met by the tax levy being imposed on some 650 Waterfront businesses.
Just a job creation scheme for public employees, Plymouth City Council in this case. Residents and Bisinesses already pay extortionate local taxes for these services.
The common consensus I pick up when speaking to the businesses around the area is that what is being promised – new signage, bins being emptied etc – is what they pay for in their rates anyway. National marketing – a one hat fits all for mass spending and wastage. The real shame of all this is that the waterfront was allowed to deteriorate to such a shambles in the first place, the Hoe is a disgrace down over the railings.