Working with BIDs 12 November 2013
Agenda Agenda • Working with BIDs, 12 November 2013
8.00
Arrivals and refreshments
8.30
Chair’s welcome – Mike Fairmaner
8.40
Pan-London view – Maria Diaz-Palomares
8.55
BID perspective – Simon Pitkeathley
9.10
Borough perspective – Bev Stratton
9.25
Thinking beyond BIDs – Ted Inman OBE
9.40
Q&A and discussion
10.00
Coffee and networking
10.30
Close
Working with BIDs
Welcome
Mike Fairmaner
Economic Policy and Area Programme Manager, City of Westminster
Working with BIDs
The Pan-London view
Maria Diaz-Palomares
Policy Implementation Manager – Economic Business Policy Unit, Greater London Authority
London’s Business Improvement Districts Maria Diaz Economic Business Policy Unit
The Mayor and London BIDs • The London Plan states support for partnership-based approaches like BIDs. • In his 2012 electoral manifesto, the Mayor endorsed the work of BIDs and committed to support the creation of up to 50 BIDs. • The GLA commissioned a research on London BIDs and it is impact in London.
The BIDs research • The research was conducted by Shared Intelligence and ATCM between October 2012 and January 2013; • The methodology included: review of policy and strategies; review of literature on BIDs, including international best practice; • A review of existing information on London BIDs which has produce a comprehensive database; • An e-survey of all London BIDs • Detailed interviews with 10 BIDs (5 inner and 5 outer London)
London BIDs Research – outcomes • 30 BIDs in London within 16 boroughs – currently 34 BIDS. • 18 outer London BIDs and 16 inner London BIDs • London BIDs contain over 32,000 firms, which make 7,6% of total London companies • Create over £72 billion in turn over generated by business (8.2% of London’s total business turnover) • Over 475,000 people employed (11.3%) of total London’s employment • Raise more than £20 million levy per year which is invested directly into their BID area.
London BIDs Research – Outcome (II) • BIDs across London are very different and it is important to recognise their particular characteristics. • Average levy income in London £638,000. But smallest is £40,000 in Argall and £3.4m in NWEC. • BID areas turnover grew by 4% between 2005-2012. • London BIDs are becoming more experienced and knowledgeable; they are diversifying their income, functions and responsibilities. • BID services range from: basic improvements; cleanliness; safety; marketing; events; business support; CSR; environmental sustainability; regeneration.
London BIDs Research - outcomes(III) Key issues for BIDs : •Composition of the board •Engagement with Local Authorities; non-levy paying businesses; property owners and residents. •Constant engagement with levy paying businesses •Set up of performance indicators and use of data before balloting and during lifetime of BID •Demonstrable impact of the BID in the area
GLA and London BIDs LDA and GLA working with BIDs since its inception. Examples of current projects include: •Green infrastructure •Food-waste •Cultural events in High Streets •OLF •Portas Pilots •Workspace
What next? The Mayor and GLA have taken on board most of the BIDs report’s recommendation and these are currently being implemented. For example: •The London Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has embedded BIDs in its work programme.; •BIDs steering group has been set up to advise GLA on strategic and funding matters (Co-chaired by Camden and Ilford BIDs); •GLA to coordinate all functional bodies to work closely with BIDs (Met police, TfL); •GLA has allocated a small budget for BID activities; •Grants programme to part-fund new BIDs to be launched in the next few days; •Monthly Newsletter for BIDs on topics of interest to BIDs; •Regular meetings between GLA and London BIDs; •Workshops on relevant topics;
For more information or receive the BIDS bulletin Maria.diaz@london.gov.uk
Working with BIDs
The BID perspective
Simon Pitkeathley
CEO, Camden Town Unlimited
Working with BIDs
The Borough perspective
Bev Stratton
Town Centres & BIDs Manager, London Borough of Redbridge
1 Future of London – LB Redbridge Perspective
Bev Stratton Town Centres & BIDs (Development) Manager London Borough of Redbridge 12th November 2013 beverley.stratton@redbridge.gov.uk www.redbridge.gov.uk
The BID Scene
The Variety of BIDs: Town Centres Industrial Sites Commercial 4 Mixed Area Leisure Tourism Total
131 23 2 2 1 163
2
Business Improvement Districts in Redbridge3 Hainault Business Improvement District (Industrial) First industrial BID in the Thames Gateway and south of England •First 5 year term:
2006 – 2011
•c160 hereditaments 1% Levy (£40k) Levered in c£750k •49% turnout – 85.4% majority – 92.8% by RV •Renewal term:
2011 – 2016 2% Levy (£100k)
•62.3% turnout – 95% majority – 97.7% by RV
Hainault BID
Priorities: •Safety and Security (improved landscaping, building broken down walls, new perimeter fencing etc.) •Promotion •(doing business with each other – then increasing business with others)
4
Hainault BID
Achievements: •162 businesses - approx. 70% inter-trading (increased significantly with mobile app with regular push notifications) •Recycling approx. 1-2 tonnes of waste paper per week •Free Health & Safety training •Green Business Awards - Gold, Silver & Bronze winners •Business Breakfast Meetings - upwards of 70 businesses attend regularly
5
Ilford BID Ilford Business Improvement District (Metropolitan Town Centre BID)
•Ilford Business Improvement District: •5 year term: 2009 - 2014, 1.2% Levy c480 hereditaments •34% turnout - 67% majority - 63% by RV •Renewal underway 2014 - 2019, 1.35% Levy c401 hereditaments (reduction resulting from RV threshold change from £5k to £10k) •Ballot Day: 22nd November 2013
6
Business Improvement Districts in Redbridge7 Priorities:
Safety, Ambience and Promotion (improved look and feel)
Achievements: •Town Centre Police team - achieving 26% reduction in crime •Ambassadors - c1,000 customers assisted each month •Targeted approach to cleaning and maintenance – 14,500 hrs •Investment - £13,000 awarded in Small Business Grant Scheme •Online loyalty scheme with 11,500 consumers •Promotional activity (social media, door drops, emarketing, etc.) – a 200% increased in social media ‘likes’ •Visiting markets - 50 days per year •Major festivals and special events – 2012 London Olympics, 17 days of continuous events; Vaisakhi, Eid, Diwali and Christmas •Resulting in a 9% footfall increase during 17 day event
Role of the Council
Should we try to make a difference?
The Redbridge Way = PARTNERSHIP
•Leadership - Imperative to support and try to make a difference for our businesses, employers, residents and visitors •Financial - Both BIDs were granted £50k support funding – and an additional £50k grant to support renewal ballot •Total LBR investment: £200k - achieving c£3m investment into both areas = 1500% return
8
Role of the Council
Can we make a difference in the future ? •Council resources are limited and will continue to be further reduced •£500,000 revolving BID loan fund
9
Opportunities and Challenges What’s been learned? •Resource intensive across many service areas •Can take up to 18 – 24 months •Joined up thinking has led to joined up services •Managed expectations – we understand each other better •Increased employer links – pathways to local employment for residents •Provided a genuine Voice for business – now we have to Listen!
Would we do it again? Yes
10
Working with BIDs
Thinking beyond BIDs
Ted Inman OBE
Chief Executive, South Bank Employers’ Group
THINKING BEYOND BIDS: SOUTH BANK EMPLOYERS’ GROUP Ted Inman Chief Executive SBEG
South Bank Employers’ Group (SBEG) • Established 1991 - Incorporated 1994 • An association of the major organisations in the South Bank, Waterloo and Blackfriars • Non-profit company committed to improving the experience of the area for employees, visitors and residents • 22 staff £1.8m turnover
Our Members • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Braeburn Estates (Canary Wharf/Qatari Diar) British Film Institute Coin Street Community Builders EDF Energy London Eye Elizabeth House Partners (LRP/Chelsfield) Ernst & Young Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust ITV King’s College London London & Continental Railways London Duck Tours London South Bank University National Theatre Network Rail Park Plaza Hotels Shell Southbank Centre
Our Neighbourhood •
Over 50,000 employees
•
12,000 residents
•
25 million visits annually and growing
•
130 million journeys through Waterloo Station annually and growing
•
London’s Cultural Quarter
•
Opportunity Area in London Plan –set for major regeneration and growth
•
Extent of privately owned Public Realm
What we do •
Promoting capital projects
•
Neighbourhood services delivery
•
Destination marketing
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CO2 reduction
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Employer engagement and jobs
•
South Bank Partnership: the political dimension
Improving the Neighbourhood • Waterloo Public Realm Plan • Regeneration Capital Projects – The new Jubilee Gardens – IMAX roundabout/Waterloo Road • Neighbourhood management – Cleansing, graffiti, patrolling, coordination • CO2 Reduction - South Bank Decentralised Energy Network • Funding
Promoting the Area South Bank Marketing Group - privately led tourism consortium - 22 active members - posters, publications, - visitor information services - southbanklondon.com website – 60,000 unique visitors per month South Bank Venues Group - business tourism consortium - 16 active members - marketing South Bank’s meeting and function locations
Creating New Opportunities •Spreading the benefits of the South Bank’s success to the rest of Lambeth and Southwark •Opportunities for local residents •Employer engagement •Pre-employment training •Work experience •Apprenticeships •People into jobs •Employability project
Voluntary Association vs Formal BID Benefits of Voluntary Association • Reflects land ownership and nature of neighbourhood • Freeholders – Occupiers • Long term strategic view • Flexible and quick decision making Formal BID • Medium-term funding sustainability • Involves more businesses • Benefits of more formal status – Boundaries, Exemptions, Mandate
SBEG considering promoting a South Bank BID Aim is to capitalise on best of both models
Breakfast Bites
Working with BIDs 12th November 2013