Exciting plans have been revealed to create a new partnership of Tamworth businesses which could generate hundreds of thousands of pounds to be spent on making the town a more vibrant and welcoming place to work, shop, stay and play.
If successful, the plans would see businesses within a defined geographical area - called a Business Improvement District (BID) - working together to identify and implement projects they feel would benefit the local economy and community.
Although the area to be put forward for BID status will be determined through consultation with businesses within a proposed BID zone, the aim is for Tamworth’s town centre and retail parks to unite under one umbrella for the mutual benefit of the whole area.
Businesses within a designated BID contribute to the pot through a small levy – typically between one per cent and two per cent of their rateable value – and all those included can have a say in determining the level at which this should be set and how the money should be spent.
There are currently more than 200 BIDs operating across the UK, generating millions of pounds that is being spent on projects designed to increase footfall and boost trade such as marketing and promotion, festivals and events, new street furniture, floral displays, Christmas lights, extra CCTV and additional street cleaning.
All services/improvements have to be in addition to those already provided by local authorities.
However, a BID can only be introduced if a majority of rate-paying businesses in the proposed zone vote in favour of it through a formal ballot process.
Tamworth’s BID journey is being led by like-minded individuals from a variety of businesses within the proposed BID zone, including Ankerside Shopping Centre, John Lewis, Roasters, Tamworth Football Club, Kuda Nightclub, the Snowdome, Prizm Solutions, Handelsbanken and Ritchie and Ritchie Architects, who are volunteering their time to explore the plans. Tamworth Borough Council is supporting the businesses in developing the BID.
Manager of the Tamworth John Lewis store, Rob Holder, is chairing the BID Tamworth steering group with Samantha Panton of Roasters as vice chair.
Rob said: “This is about businesses from all sectors coming together to decide how we make Tamworth even better.
“The aim of the BID will be to determine how we develop Tamworth as a destination of choice and to get lots of great things happening under the same umbrella. On a personal level I I’m interested in the collective success of Tamworth because I can see how it benefits all.
“I see the BID as the glue that holds it all together. I’d urge businesses to lend their support to the BID proposals: this is your town, your business, your future, your voice – make sure you have your say.”
A key aim of the BID initiative would be to unify the town centre and the edge-of-town retail parks. Owner of Roasters, Samantha Panton, has businesses in both locations and is particularly keen to see a more joined up approach.
“My family has had a presence in the town centre since 1983 with John’s Bargains, which became Roasters in 1992,” Samantha said.
“In 2010 we became the only independent business on a retail park anywhere in the UK when we opened a restaurant at Ventura Park. This puts me in the unique position to be able to represent both interests and we are keen to give small independent businesses a voice and to ensure their concerns are addressed.
“For me, a BID is about bringing the town centre and retail parks together and linking them as one, rather than being two separate entities. A BID would give us the unique opportunity to be able to market and promote the area as one. For a small annual investment, businesses will be able to dip into a large pot of money that can be spent on projects and improvements over and above any services already provided by local authorities.”
pfbb UK, who are specialists in the development and delivery of Business Improvement Districts across the UK, have been appointed to support the businesses in developing the project.
Ian Ferguson, Director of pfbb UK said, “The lifetime of the BID is prescribed by BID Regulations and is set at no more than five years. There are a number of BID areas which have been operating for more than five years and have gone through a renewal ballot. In most cases those BIDs going on to a second term have received an even greater endorsement in the vote than they did the first time. BIDs have brought significant improvements to the trading environment of the businesses based in these locations.”
Cllr Steve Claymore, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration, added: “The creation of a BID is a great opportunity for Tamworth. It will be a great way of driving the regeneration to which Tamworth Borough Council is committed, as well as attracting inward investment.
“This is really exciting news and I am very pleased that Tamworth Borough Council is supporting this initiative. The development of a BID will have far-reaching benefits, not just for the town centre, but for the whole borough of Tamworth.”
An initial feasibility study is now being carried out to gauge business support for the project. Subject to the findings, businesses across the whole area will be invited to a meeting about the plans. There will also be an extensive programme of surveys, individual meetings, workshops and forums to provide opportunities for businesses to identify key challenges they face and determine potential solutions.
More information is available via the BID Tamworth website at www.bidtamworth.co.uk