A Business Improvement District (BID) is to be launched in Brighouse after the town’s businesses votes ‘yes’ in a month-long postal ballot.
All businesses within the town centre’s BID boundary were eligible to vote on the proposal which has a vision to ‘create a destination town with a strong and sustainable future which is vibrant, lively and welcoming where businesses, shoppers and visitors feel safe and secure’.
71.9% of those who took part voted in favour. The vote represented 71% of the total rateable value of the properties owned and managed by those who voted.
Under BID regulations, more than half of those taking part in the ballot must support the scheme for it to go ahead and they must account for more than half of the total rateable value of the businesses.
Lesley Adams, Chair of the Brighouse BID Steering Group, said:
“This is an exciting moment for Brighouse. The town’s businesses have delivered a vote of confidence in the proposals we put forward to bring in more investment and have more say on our own destiny. We have a proud history, a strong sense of identity and, together, we can now move forwards to making Brighouse an even better place to live, work and shop in the future.”
The business improvement proposal was developed with both financial and officer support from Calderdale Council.
Now a ‘yes’ vote has been secured, the local BID team, with continued Council backing, will begin the process to establish it as a legal entity, with an operating board of the town’s business people overseeing how the money raised, estimated to be around £120,000 a year, will be spent.
It will commence operations in April 2019.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Cllr Barry Collins, said:
“This is great news for Brighouse and the programme of investment that will follow the vote will bring great benefits to the town.
“The BID will help the town’s businesses build on the great work they already do in the town, helping Brighouse become economically stronger.”
Three objectives have been set through which the programme of investment will be focused and delivered:
- A SAFE & SECURE TOWN – providing support for businesses and reassurance for visitors that Brighouse is a town where you will be well looked after
- A VIBRANT, LIVELY & WELCOMING TOWN – supporting a Brighouse that can be proud of its history and character, accessible for all and optimistic about its future
- A DESTINATION TOWN – with events that benefit every Brighouse business, attract new visitors and encourage them to return, shop and spend
The BID’s income will come from a levy of 1.75 per cent of rateable value on businesses within the BID boundary who have a rateable value of £2,000 or above.
For over 60 per cent of businesses, this means an investment in Brighouse of £175 or less per year, a daily cost of less than a second class stamp.