Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Unanimously Votes to Proceed to Business Improvement District Ballot
Following months of research, consultation and business planning, the Board of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP) has unanimously agreed to take plans for a Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID) to Ballot in February 2012.
Since November 2010 businesses in the proposed Waterfront BID area have been directly involved in developing a business plan for the Waterfront, looking at projects to help promote the area, drive footfall, improve standards of cleanliness and safety and to encourage inward investment and regeneration.
The PWP Board made the landmark decision to proceed to Ballot at a meeting today (Wednesday 02 November), after reviewing the results of independent market research on the draft Waterfront Business Plan, which was distributed in October 2011. It emerged from the survey that 77% of business respondents either strongly support or somewhat support the prospect of a Business Improvement District for the Waterfront, with only 9% strongly against and 7% somewhat against. However, only 44% thought it was very fair or somewhat fair that Plymouth’s Waterfront businesses should contribute approximately £1million of the total budget of approx £6million for the Waterfront business plan; 26% considered it very unfair and 11% somewhat unfair (see end of release for a full summary of results).
Dr David Wheeler, Chair of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said: “The Board of the Partnership believes there are important signals in the market research. We may now need to fine tune some of the proposed projects based on the results, but we were very pleased to see the overwhelming support for key principles of the Business Improvement District design, for example on holding the City Council accountable for the future quality of services in the District and ensuring a strong voice for Waterfront businesses. It was pleasing to see the more than 4 to 1 majority in favour of a Business Improvement District, but there was less evidence for respondents believing it was fair that businesses should contribute to the budget. Nevertheless, I am delighted to see the Waterfront BID proceed to Ballot where these issues can be fully debated and where businesses will make the final call”.
Norman Holmes, owner of Kaya Gallery on The Barbican said: “This is sensible news for Waterfront businesses – at last with a Waterfront BID we will have the opportunity to have our say in how the area in which we live and work is managed and improved. I have already decided to vote in favour of a Waterfront BID because I believe it will improve the future of business trading in the Waterfront.”
Sarah O’Leary, Waterfront Manager said: “We’re really pleased with the response from Waterfront businesses. In all more than 250 businesses have responded through the consultation, we’ll now review and update the BID Business Plan with their feedback. PWP will continue to listen and work with businesses to shape the future of the Waterfront. Stay informed through our website: www.waterfrontbid.co.uk ”
The BID Ballot will open on 01 February 2012 until 5pm, 02 March 2012 and will be managed by Electoral Services under legislation passed by Government in 2003.
The results of the Waterfront BID Ballot will be publically announced by 08 March 2012.
Related articles
- Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Votes to Proceed with BID (plymouthbuzz.com)
- Plymouth Waterfront – Sweat the Asset? (plymouthbuzz.com)
Here we go again, The Barbican Mutual Admiration Society Continues To Massage its Data in order to put a lovely spin on things…. Of course Kaya Gallery & Sara O’Leary are going to be positive about it, Sarah has a salary to consider & Kaya is an avid member of ABB…. I’d vote in favour if the whole thing were to be self financing…. But the psynic in me says if this goes through & then a few years down the road it all dwindles into oblivion within the title Cuts Required or Savings Made, we are still left with a further Stealth Tax to pay and nothing for our money. So far I’m not impressed with what I’m seeing from these quarters & once I am I may vote otherwise… Perhaps a fairer way would be those that voted for it pay for it & those that don’t want BID should be able to continue with their businesses without the cost involved… Lets have the figures on that please PWP & see how many votes you get then for the In Favours !!!!!
Of note was that the Exeter BID failed.
Hate to say this but 2012 will not be a good year for Barbican traders. This goes for the City Centre.
Just how much can people be expected to spend?
Money is tight and paying someone for nothing and imposing taxes on business will help to kill many off.
Watch for more boarded up shops in Plymouth City Centre….
John