Exeter BID: One week to go
With just one week to go until the Exeter Business Improvement District (BID) ballot closes, voters are urged to use their votes and look to a better future for Exeter.
Members of the Exeter BID steering group feel that Exeter must remain competitive and make sure it does not lose business to competing cities, online retail and newly proposed developments such as Junction 27. The steering group feel that in order for Exeter to become a destination fit for the 21st century they need to ensure that money is spent on projects that will generate a positive return.
The Exeter BID has been devised following an extensive consultation with businesses in the BID area, which started in April 2014, to decide on the strategy and projects that will improve trade in the city.
The creation of the new BID Management Board for the City Centre will put businesses firmly in the driving seat when influencing and overseeing the delivery of exciting and innovative schemes for Exeter’s city centre.
The proposed Business Improvement District plans will include activity around three key priorities. These are; marketing the city, managing the city and business services. Following a period of consultation with businesses within the area the following projects have been identified:
- Spread the word- This project is all about marketing and promotion for Exeter.
- Exciting Exeter- A program of high profile events throughout the year.
- Welcome and Safe- This project includes the aim to achieve Purple flag status, enhanced street cleansing, increased security and a welcome team for the city.
- Looking after Business- This project will focus on energy saving and cost reduction for businesses.
These projects will hope to focus on 4 main points. These include creating cost savings for businesses, help bring people into Exeter, help improve the visitor experience once in the city and help to improve business conditions for owners, managers and employees.
If the Exeter BID is successful it will be run by The Exeter BID Company. The Board will be made up of members elected from businesses within the BID area, elected by businesses within the area. The funds raised by the proposed Exeter BID are set to bring in £480,000 per year, amounting to £2.4 million over the 5 year scheme.
If Exeter BID is not successful, it is felt that it will be difficult to fill the void due to public sector funding being cut.
Due to these funding cuts, it is also felt that the public sector will be increasingly unable to provide additional services that would add value to the city.
For more information on the Exeter BID visit www.exeterbid.co.uk
