BATH Business Improvement District
a BID for Bath... Bath Business Businesss IImprovement mprovementt D District istrict 2011 -2016 2016
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Why do we need a BID in Bath? A Business Improvement District, which is business-led, will bring together all those who rely on the city centre for their own economic prosperity to work collaboratively on projects that enhance the city centre and make a difference to their own trading environment. Future Bath Plus (FBP) is the proposer for the Bath BID. The creation of Future Bath Plus grew out of a spirit of willingness from both the private and public sectors, represented by: Bath Chamber of Commerce & Initiative, Bath & North East Somerset Council, to work together to achieve improvements which will benefit business, residents and visitors. Historically FBP has funded activities in the city centre to enhance the overall offer. Through the BID, FBP will continue to support these initiatives. There is a widespread desire to enhance the appearance of the City and the surrounding area and an enthusiasm to pursue a more effective and co-ordinated approach to the management of Retail, Tourism and Cultural activities and events. The Future Bath Plus Board provides strategic direction to three key areas - City Centre Management, Tourism and Culture. Ensuring that these sectors work in partnership is instrumental to a successful and well managed destination.
City Centre Management was established in 2008 and appointed Andrew Cooper as City Centre Manager. Andrew has long experience of the retail sector and is a member of the Association of Town Centre Management. The three year business plan of the City Centre Management Board identified the need to look at the viability of Business Improvement Districts. A number of other towns in the region have already implemented a BID including Taunton, Worcester, Torquay, Falmouth and Truro, and indeed Bristol is now in its second term having successfully renewed its mandate with businesses in the Autumn of 2008. To develop from a voluntary partnership board, (comprising retailers, organisations and companies that contribute limited finance to city centre activity) to a Business Improvement District would stimulate wider engagement within the business community. As with other UK destinations this evolution of a Business Improvement District from a voluntary partnership provides a greater resource for businesses to tackle the issues that are important and enables a greater level of business influence and control.
"From our experience to date, IBRF members consider that BIDs are quickly becoming a "must have" as a means of delivering added value to the business environment." Inter Bank Rating Forum 2010
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“As just one of the landlords in the city I believe we need to work together towards a clean, managed and animated city centre with a vibrant commercial heart. The BID provides a stable, tried and tested mechanism for us all to contribute towards this end.� Sarah Mansfield Chair of Bath City Centre Management Partnership
Welcome to the Bath BID Proposal We have listened to businesses during our consultation over the past year and have integrated your views into this Proposal that outlines a 5 year programme of tangible improvements to Bath City Centre through a Business Improvement District (BID). A BID is a business-led initiative that gives businesses the power to manage their own operating environment so that it directly benefits their business, their employees and their clients and customers. Together, businesses identify projects and services that they think are needed to add value to existing services and agree, through a formal ballot process, to a level of investment to ensure the delivery of these. There are currently 104 BIDs around the UK, of which 64 are in town and city centres. There have been 15 BIDs that have gone back to their business communities to renew their mandate for a second term, all 15 have successfully won their renewal ballot. BIDs are designed to suit the needs of businesses in a local area and generally focus on: • Improving the trading conditions for businesses; • Increasing the competitiveness of the local area; and • Reducing the operating costs for businesses.
“BIDs are proving to be of significant benefit to town and city centres across the country and their positive impact is borne out in the 100% track record of renewal ballots” British BIDs 2010
The purpose of this Proposal is to: • Outline the need for a BID in Bath • Describe the projects and services to be delivered by the BID • Define the potential Bath BID area • Explain the management process, finances and the BID voting arrangements From 1st to 28th October 2010 you will be asked to vote on this proposal. If the majority of businesses support the proposal then a Business Improvement District will be established in Bath and will commence on 1st April 2011.
"SouthGate is an integral part of the city centre. Through a Business Improvement District we believe the projects in this proposal will make significant tangible improvements that will impact positively on all businesses in the city. A Bid provides an opportunity for businesses to take a lead, have a voice and shape the future of our city. That is why we are supporting the BID." Simon Pullen, Chair BID Steering Group General Manager SouthGate
"St John's Hospital has been in Bath for 800 years and has no desire to stand still. A BID for Bath is an innovative and exciting opportunity that is business led and allows all sectors to work together to achieve more, enabling all participants to flourish. The city will undoubtedly thrive and prosper as a consequence of this united approach." Jonathan O’Shea, Vice Chair BID Steering Group Chief Executive, St John’s Hospital
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Bath is a world class city.... designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and nourished by Britain's only natural hot springs stunning architecture, great shopping and iconic attractions the Royal Crescent, the Circus, Pulteney Bridge, the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and Thermae Bath Spa grand Georgian streets and small picturesque passageways a fabulous selection of small independent shops and stylish boutiques alongside the familiar big name stores wonderful award winning restaurants, quaint tearooms and welcoming cosy pubs a wide variety of 5 star luxury hotels, quality guest houses and convivial bed and breakfasts a rich mix of residential dwellings a city of festivals and the arts Despite all of this, there is work to do on maintaining this standard and making Bath even better. 4
Photo: The Bath Chronicle
1 spectacular abbey 2 natural thermal spas 5 renowned theatres and cinemas 6 delightful parks and gardens 17 splendid museums and galleries 197 welcoming hotels, guest houses and bed & breakfast establishments 217 enticing cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars 1,126 shops of great diversity 8,652 varied jobs in retail and tourism 4,500,000 day visitors each year £348,000,000 earned through tourism and visitors each year
“At Thermae Bath Spa, we strongly believe that the more effectively that 'Bath' is managed and marketed, the more successful we are likely to be. We look forward to playing an active role in the Bath BID and gaining valuable benefits from working in such a business partnership.” Peter Rollins Thermae Bath Spa
... 1 great city
Source - South West Tourism Research 2008, Bath Tourism Plus 2010
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Bath City Centre Management
Achievements so far... Marketing • Retail Marketing Campaigns • Bath In Fashion Event • Retail Shopping Guide • Bath Travel Guide • Christmas Lights Switch-on • City centre web site www.bathcitycentremanagement.co.uk
“A Business Improvement District in Bath provides a tremendous opportunity for business to take the lead in making a real difference to their trading environment. Business Improvement Districts across the UK have effectively demonstrated that through collective action, a town or city can be more competitive, increase footfall and dwell times and reduce costs to businesses”. Andrew Cooper Bath City Centre Manager
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Evening Economy
Environment
• City Centre Manager chaired the Evening Economy group. Working closely with Avon and Somerset Police and the Community Safety Team to progress numerous projects that work in partnership with businesses to deliver visible solutions that make those who visit and live in Bath feel safe.
• Westgate Street & Northumberland Place Clean Up • Finger Post Signs Repainting • Street Cleaners Work Wear Project • Charity Collectors Agreement in place • Volunteer Street Furniture Painting Days
Retail • Police and licensing training session on the law regarding pedlars. • Regular distribution of City Centre Performance Barometer.
...but we need your help 7
Consultation
Autumn 2009
Winter 2009
Spring 2010
Summer 2010
BID campaign Summer 2010
Consultation summary June 2010
Business consultation questionnaire Spring 2010
BID Steering Group Spring 2010
BID Feasibility Study Autumn 2009
BID campaign Summer 2010
Consultation summary June 2010
Business consultation questionnaire Spring 2010
BID Steering Group Spring 2010
BID Feasibility Study Autumn 2009
We have consulted businesses in a number of ways over the past year to develop this BID Proposal.
• BID Feasibility Study commissioned by and presented to the City Centre Board (Autumn 2009) • BID Steering Group set up (Spring 2010)
BID Feasibility Study Autumn 2009
BID Steering Group Business consultation questionnaire
Spring 2010 Spring 2010 June 2010
Summer 2010
BID Steering Group
• Business consultation questionnaire hand delivered to all businesses in the BID area with 45% response rate (Spring 2010)
Spring 2010 Spring 2010
• Consultation summary produced and presented to BID Steering Group (June 2010)
Consultation summary
• One to one consultation and BID campaign (Summer 2010)
Business consultation questionnaire
June 2010 BID campaign Summer 2010
“The BID in Bath gives a voice to be heard in speaking up for the many businesses in the city. It is essential to provide an environment where businesses have the best opportunities to develop and prosper.”
"We believe that BIDs can be an important tool in co-ordinating collective investment to improve the trading environment."
Laurence Swan Bath Independent Group
British Retail Consortium 2009
‘I think it can be easy and even tempting during the current climate to find reasons not to contribute to an initiative like the BID. However, as a business, I see the BID as an exciting way of pulling interested parties together and I am confident that the power of a single, united voice, will improve Bath in many ways. It's refreshing to be part of a solution and to have an input.’ Phil Lodge Retail Director, Specsavers Bath
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You told us this...
80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0
1. Managing
2. Promoting
3. Saving
You wanted to see...
You wanted to see...
You wanted to see...
Provision of a dedicated team focused on intensive cleaning especially gum and cigarette butt removal – 67.7%
Running city centre events and festivals to increase footfall – 78.9%
Introducing green initiatives including a dedicated trade recycling service for BID businesses – 76.8%
Provision of more Police/enforcement offices on the streets day and night – 64.0%
Bringing additional speciality markets in to the city centre – 62.8%
Provision of events for informal networking and facilitating trade between the businesses within the BID area – 51.3%
Ensuring the Council adheres to their existing cleansing contracts – 56.3%
80% Organising seasonal advertising campaigns - 53.9%
80%
70% Improving accessibility through directories and maps – 56.3%
70%
Provision of a ‘one stop shop’ to allow businesses to voice 80% concerns and issues to the relevant authorities – 48% 70% Managing and extending the Pubwatch and Nightwatch 60% schemes to actively manage the evening economy – 40.6%
60%
80%
60%
80%
50%
70%
50%
70%
60%
40%
60%
50% 80% 40% 70% 30% 60% 20% Police/ Intensive Cleaning One Stop Pubwatch 50% Cleaning Enforcement Contracts Shop & Nightwatch 10% Officers 40% 0 Police/ Cleaning One Stop Pubwatch 30% Intensive
30%
50% 80% 40% 70% 30% 60% 20% Events and Speciality Advertising Directories 50% Festivals Markets Campaigns and Maps 10% 40% 0 30% Events and Speciality Advertising Directories
30%
50% 80% 40% 70% 30% 60% 20% Green Informal Networking 50% Initiatives & Facilitating Trade 10% 40% 0 Informal Networking 30% Green Initiatives
20%
Cleaning Enforcement Contracts Officers
Shop
& Nightwatch
10% 0
Police/ Intensive Cleaning One Stop Pubwatch Cleaning Enforcement Contracts Shop & Nightwatch Officers
40%
20% 10% 0
Festivals
Markets
Campaigns
20% 10% 0
and Maps
& Facilitating Trade
20%
20%
10%
10%
0
Events and Festivals
Speciality Markets
Advertising Directories Campaigns and Maps
“The Council working with Future Bath Plus are 0 Initiatives encouragingGreen the creation of aInformal BID forNetworking Bath city & Facilitating Trade centre in order to support businesses, and continue to ensure Bath is presenting itself as a vibrant business and retail centre." Councillor Francine Haeberling Leader of the Council
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we will deliver this...
1. Managing To deal with the management of the city centre including cleanliness, safety and general ambience
up to £198,500 of total budget
• Rapid Response Street Team
• Safe and Secure Evening Economy
Provide a Street Team focused on monitoring the management and cleansing of the city centre.
Support the existing day time Bath & District Crime Reduction Partnership whilst enhancing the night time Nightwatch initiative.
A team of up to five personnel led by a Supervisor will deal with ensuring the management and cleansing of the streets are kept to an acceptable standard. This will include focusing on street trading, charity collectors and other street activities.
Budget: £140,000
The Nighwatch scheme will incorporate Pubwatch, Knightwatch Radio and Street Marshals into one scheme ‘Nightwatch’ managed and administered by the BID Company.
• Waste Management Initiative
The scheme will include state of the art radio technology to support all licensed premises together with street & taxi marshals, an on-site dedicated paramedic service and other projects that support and secure evening economy.
To work in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council to carry out a review of waste management arrangements in the city centre.
The BID will support the ongoing work of the day time partnership with a view to merging the two initiatives by 2012/13.
To consider how improvements can be made to the existing arrangements including innovative solutions such as local compacting and a business recycling service.
Budget: £40,000 Potential capital contribution from B&NES Council Community Safety Team £26,000.
Budget: £15,000
• Clean and Cared-for Awards Scheme Devise and implement an awards scheme for clean and caredfor premises within the city centre. An annual awards scheme to recognise those who take pride in their premises.
Budget: £3,500
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"The Business Crime Reduction Partnership and its Board are fully supportive of the ongoing BID process. We look forward to working together with a future BID Board in the development of new community safety initiatives in the city centre." Dave Dixon. Chair Bath & District Business Crime Reduction Partnership.
we will deliver this...
2. Promoting To drive footfall through the delivery of high quality events and campaigns together with a range of promotional materials
up to £260,000 of total budget
• City Centre Marketing Campaigns
• Specialist Events
Continue and enhance the existing marketing campaigns.
Initiate and support specialist events for the City Centre over and above those already provided.
Building on the success of the campaigns led by Bath City Centre Management in 2009 and 2010, the BID will continue to coordinate targeted seasonal campaigns aimed at driving footfall to the city centre.
Building on the success of the first ‘Bath in Fashion’ event in 2010, the BID will aim to deliver future events of this type each year. The BID will work closely with other events and marketing personnel in the city centre to ensure a coordinated approach with a particular focus on encouraging off-season activities in core city centre areas.
Budget: £120,000
• Innovative Marketing Technologies
Budget: £80,000
Use of new and innovative technologies to integrate with any city centre promotion campaign that drives footfall and boosts retail sales. Initiatives including retail i-phone application, Twitter and Bluetooth will be investigated alongside the main retail marketing campaigns.
Budget: £20,000
• Transportation Promotions Working in partnership with others to facilitate coordinated transportation promotions. Supporting and resourcing where possible promotions to make it more appealing and affordable to travel into the city centre.
Budget: £40,000
“Pound for pound, compared with other operating costs, the services delivered by the BID are excellent value for money.” Ian Silverberg, Managing Director, Silverberg Opticians. Liverpool City Central BID2 Proposal, 2008
"This is a fantastic opportunity for the retail sector to drive the standards and presentation of Bath to every visitor. By directly influencing how this money is spent we can best utilise it, to make the biggest impact, and where visitors will see the biggest difference. By having a budget to deliver targeted advertising and promotional activities the city centre will be able to compete with schemes run by other sites such as Cribbs Causeway and promote the benefits of visiting Bath." Paul Shillam, Manager Marks and Spencer Store Manager
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we will deliver this...
3. Saving To act as the collective voice for business to develop and procure services to deliver cost savings and carbon savings.
up to £40,000 of total budget
• Collective Procurement Initiative Develop a collective procurement initiative to provide cost savings to businesses within the BID. Companies that are part of a BID have the ability to work together as a community, this has been successfully achieved nationally and even globally throughout many BIDs. It is common that the prices companies pay and service received for commodities such as paper, energy, PAT testing and recycling will be different from their neighbours. The BID will work to ensure cost reductions are achieved through joint purchasing power.
Budget: £40,000
"The BID is one of the most important and exciting developments in Bath in recent years. This will make a huge difference to our city, region and to our economic future. The BID creates a fund for businesses and is completely under business control. This means we can direct those funds to where ever businesses in the city feel that we need extra resources to be focused. “ Les Redwood Bath Independent Guest House Association
“The BID can give much needed support to owners of independent businesses. Through the initiatives that will be made possible by the funding, SME’s will have the opportunity to help shape the future of their business in Bath.” Sarah Hewett The Pole Company and Federation of Small Businesses
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‘Leukaemia Research were about to renew with their current energy provider within the InHolborn BID. Assistance was provided through the BID’s buying club and a 25% saving was achieved in just six months’ InHolborn BID Website 2010
BID Area If successful at ballot, the proposed BID for Bath would run for five years from 1st April 2011 and would cover the area shown in the map below.
FAQs Who pays and who collects the money? The BID levy is charged on business occupiers with a rateable value of ÂŁ25,000 or more and will be collected by the local authority into a ring-fenced account (called a BID Revenue Account) then passed to the BID Company.
How much would I have to pay? The BID levy will be 1% of your rateable value. If you are not sure what your rateable value is, you can look it up at www.voa.gov.uk or telephone 0845 112 0118.
How does the BID ballot work? All businesses eligible to pay the levy are balloted. The ballot will be run by Bath & North East Somerset Council and for a BID to go ahead the ballot must be won on two counts: straight majority and majority of rateable value.
Can you guarantee my money will be spent locally? The money does not go to Central Government or the Council. Funds are held by a BID Company made up business representatives and are only for the projects agreed and voted for by the participating businesses in line with this BID proposal
Businesses already pay rates, why should we pay again? The BID levy is a specific levy for additional projects identified and controlled by the businesses. It cannot subsidise or substitute the existing provision by public agencies. The BID has entered into a baseline agreement with the local authority which guarantees the existing level of service provision in the area.
BID area For a full list of streets included in the BID please visit www.bathbid.co.uk
Tourist Information Pedestrians only Architectural Interest Place of interest Parks and Gardens
D5
No Access Point (buses and taxis only)
D4
Lansdown Park & Ride Milsom Street
C3
Newbridge Park & Ride Westgate Buildings
C5
Š Bath Tourism Plus
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19%
Retail %
Office Leisure Other
21%
Financials The BID levy will raise approximately £3.5m to be spent exclusively in the BID area over its 5 year life. A levy of 1% will be applied to the rateable value of each defined ratepayer in the BID area with a rateable value of £25,000 or more, of which there are in the region of 700, raising approximately £600,000 per year.
Rateable values by property type The rateable values are split across the sectors as follows:
To calculate your proposed BID levy, simply multiply your rateable value by 0.01. If you are not aware of the rateable value of your business please visit the Valuation Office website www.voa.gov.uk or telephone 0845 112 0118. Following a successful BID ballot, all eligible ratepayers will be required to pay the levy. The BID levy will be due on 1st April each year and will be collected by Bath & North East Somerset Council on behalf of the BID Company. The levy income will be collected into a ring-fenced BID Revenue Account and these funds will be regularly transferred to the BID Company.
Voluntary contributors 6% 19% %
21%
Retail Office Leisure Other
Proposed BID expenditure The expenditure of the BID levy each year will be divided as follows:
9% 18%
6%
29%
Managing Promoting Saving BID Running Costs Contingency & Loan
Voluntary contributions have been secured from a number of 8% private sector organisations by way of a continuation of their support to City Centre Management. Bath & North East Somerset Council has confirmed its commitment to match this private sector funding pound for pound via Future Bath Plus up Managed Promoted Sustained BID Running Costs Contingency to a maximum of £50,000 per annum. Small businesses falling The BID board will have the responsibility for agreeing and below the threshold will also be invited to join by making a managing the budget. The board could decide to vary the voluntary contribution of £100 per annum and thereby being budget by up to 10% for each area of expenditure. If a represented on the BID board. variation greater than 10% was required, the board would be required to present this to an EGM/AGM for approval.
The approximate cost to individual businesses would be: • Small business (rateable value of £25,000) £250 per annum/£21 per month (rateable value of £50,000) • Medium business 9% Managing £500 per annum/£41 per month 29%
18%
Promoting
• Large business (rateable value of £200,000) Saving £2,000 per annum/£166 per month BID Running Costs Contingency & Loan
6%
8%
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“The BID offers particularly good value for money to the small independent businesses in Bath. A really affordable contribution will mushroom into a huge fund, with a pay back worth many times what it will cost us independents.” Guy Douglas, Independent Trader and Chamber of Commerce Member
"The BID levy raised approximately £1 million from retailers; this was matched by an additional £10 million from The Bristol Alliance, The Mall Bristol, Bristol City Council, the South West Regional Development Agency and other property owners. Bristol Broadmead BID2 Business Plan, 2008
BID Budget for the five year term 2011 to 2016 INCOME BID Levy Income Voluntary Contributions (Private) Council Contribution TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE BID Projects Managing Promoting Saving BID Running Costs BID Set-up Loan Repayment Contingency (minimum 5%) TOTAL EXPENDITURE
2011/2012 600,000 40,000 40,000 680,000
2012/2013 612,000 40,000 40,000 692,000
BID Budget for Year 1 2011/2012 2013/2014 624,000 40,000 40,000 704,000
2014/2015 636,000 40,000 40,000 716,000
2015/2016 648,000 40,000 40,000 728,000
INCOME BID Levy Income Voluntary Contributions (Private Sector) Council Contribution
TOTAL INCOME
ÂŁ 600,000 40,000 40,000
680,000
EXPENDITURE BID Projects Managing
198,500 260,000 40,000 122,500 25,000 34,000 680,000
202470 265200 40800 124950 25,000 33,580 692,000
206440 270400 41600 127400 0 58,160 704,000
210410 275600 42400 129850 0 57,740 716000
214,380 280800 43200 132300 0 57,320 728,000
Assumed 2% annual inflation uplift. A contingency has been budgeted for on the basis that the exact levy income is unknown due to further Southgate properties still to be rated.
Rapid Response Street Team Waste Management Initiative Clean and Cared-for Awards Safe & Secure Evening Economy Promoting City Centre Marketing Campaigns Innovative Marketing Technologies Specialist Events Transportation Promotions Saving Joint Procurement Initiative
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS "I passionately believe that the BID provides an excellent opportunity for the businesses in Bath to make a real tangible impact on the economic prosperity of Bath City Centre. The Banking sector in Bath deal with the vast majority of our local businesses in some form and interact daily with a wide cross section of our local population and as such has a huge vested interest in the development of the city. In particular the banking sector will benefit from the increased footfall in the city centre and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the inevitable improvements that the BID will undertake."
BID Running Costs
Dan J Gregory Branch Manager, HSBC Bank Plc UK
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
Management and Overheads Levy Collection
140,000 15,000 3,500 40,000 120,000 20,000 80,000 40,000 40,000
498,500
90,000 32,500
TOTAL RUNNING COSTS
122,500
BID Set-up Loan Repayment Contingency c. 5%
25,000 34,000
680,000
Budget figures are indicative based on the anticipated levy income. Management and overheads will cover all costs associated with the staffing, legal, accountancy and accomodation for the BID.
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BID levy rules
Governance
The BID process is governed by Government Legislation and Regulations. As such, once a majority vote has been achieved, the BID levy becomes mandatory on all defined ratepayers.
Following a successful vote, the City Centre Management initiative will evolve into the BID. The BID will operate within Future Bath Plus, which is a not for profit company. The existing steering group will start the BID in year 1, with a new board being created at the first AGM.
Management
Your Representatives
Legal Agreements
The BID board will be made up of representatives from all sectors and sizes of BID levy payers with the split of places as shown below.
It is important that the activities of the BID represent added value over and above the public services already provided in the BID area. For this reason, a Baseline Agreement will exist between the BID and Bath & North East Somerset Council to clearly define the level of service that can be expected from the Council.
The rules for the BID levy are as follows:
There will be a management team to run the day to day operations of the BID. The management team will report to the BID board and will be based within the city centre.
• The levy will be fixed at 1% of rateable value using the 2010 rating list as at 1st April 2011
• The term of the BID will be for a period of 5 years from 1st
GREATER HAMMERSMITH BID BOARD 1 LOCAL AUTHORITY REP 2 INVESTOR MEMBER REPS 1 NON VOTING EXEMPT BUSINESSES REP 1 NON VOTING COMMUNITY REP 3 RETAIL SECTOR REPS 5 OFFICE SECTOR REPS 2 LEISURE SECTOR REPS 1 FINANCE SECTOR REP
April 2011
• The BID levy will be applied to all ratepayers with a rateable value of £25,000 or more
• All new hereditaments entering the rating list after 1st April 2011 will be levied at 1% on the prevailing list Large retail 3
• All hereditaments with charitable status and in receipt of mandatory charitable relief from business rates will be fully exempt from the BID levy
• Shopping centre tenants paying a service charge will receive a discount of 25%
Small retail 3
BATH
Leisure 3 Office 3 Landlords 2 Small business 1
• When a hereditament is empty, the eligible ratepayer will be
There will also be an Operating Agreement between the BID and Bath & North East Somerset Council that will define the contractual arrangements for the collection and enforcement of the BID levy. A copy of these agreements can be viewed at www.bathbid.co.uk
Local authority 1
liable for the BID levy with no void period, except in the case of listed buildings which will be exempt Retail 6
Leisure 4
Office 3
Landlords 2
Local Authority 1
• The BID board will agree on an annual basis whether the levy will assume a growth rate for inflation of 2%, and if so this will be applied on 1st April each year
• There will be no VAT charged on the BID levy
The small business place will be available to a representative of small businesses falling below the rateable value threshold and paying a voluntary contribution.
Hereditament means a rateable business unit A full version of the levy rules can be found at www.bathbid.co.uk
‘I do believe that this initiative provides an excellent opportunity to build on the excellent partnership we already have with businesses in Bath and that it will make a real difference in making sure that people who use Bath especially at night are even safer' Gary Davies Police Commander Bath and North East Somerset
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”The New West End Company BID ensures that there is a body that can put significant investment into the West End, targeted directly to the needs of the area and particularly the customers. Great progress is being made to improve Oxford Street and make it a great destination.” Sir Philip Green, Owner, Arcadia Group NWEC Business Plan, 2008 – 2013
BID Steering Group Membership Les Redwood, Proprietor, Apple Tree Guest House, enquiries@appletreeguesthouse.co.uk John Betty, Director, Bath & NE Somerset Council, John_Betty@bathnes.gov.uk Sarah Hewett, Proprietor, The Pole Company, info@thepolecompany.co.uk Paul Wiltshire, Advertising Director, Bath News & Media, paulwiltshire@bathchron.co.uk Lynne Blackmore, Manager, Boots, lynne.blackmore@boots.com Andrew Cooper, City Centre Manager, Future Bath Plus, andrew.cooper@futurebathplus.co.uk Lawrence Swan, Proprietor, Hands Tea Room, ninaswan1@msn.com Dan Gregory, Senior Service and Sales Manager, HSBC, dangregory@hsbc.com Matt Davis, Manager, IPL, matt.davis@ipl.com Sarah Mansfield, Director, Milsom Place Ltd, smansfield@lrgroup.co.uk Paul Shillam, General Manager, Marks and Spencer, paul.shillam@marks-and-spencer.com Emma Faiclough, Solicitor Commercial Property, Mogers Solicitors, emmafairclough@mogers.co.uk Jon Overton, Proprietor, Sally Lunns, jon@sallylunns.co.uk
“Since the Kingstonfirst BID started in January 2005, retailers have enjoyed impressive sales. I am confident the platform that our BID provides will allow us to continue to maintain Kingston as the place that people love to shop and visit.” David Barford, Managing Director, John Lewis Kingston and Chairman, Kingstonfirst Kingstonfirst Business Plan, 2009-2014
Simon Pullen, General Manager, SouthGate, simon.pullen@southgatebath.com Phil Lodge, Retail Director, Specsavers, dir.bath@st.uk.specsavers.com Jonathan O’Shea, Chief Executive, St John’s Hospital, jonathan.oshea@stjohnsbath.org.uk Guy Douglas, Proprietor, The Silver Shop, gpd25@hotmail.com Peter Rollins, Sales & Marketing Manager, Thermae Bath Spa, peterrollins@thermaebathspa.com
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What’s in it for me? BIDs are run by business and for business BIDs create a real business voice to influence change BIDs enable collective investment to achieve cost savings to individual businesses BIDs attract match funding to make your money go further BIDs allow you to plan ahead with certainty for the five year BID term
Measuring our Performance The BID will be fully transparent and accountable to the levy payers. We will measure the performance of the City Centre through: • Customer satisfaction surveys • Crime statistics • Footfall counts • Media coverage • Website hits
The Management of the BID will be scrutinised through:
• Monthly business satisfaction surveys • Annual business surveys • 360° review • Annual review and report • Annual General Meeting
"It is absolutely right that the private sector should become even more actively involved in shaping the environment in which we do business. We are very supportive of the concept of a BID and are optimistic that it will make a big contribution to the future prosperity of the City Centre." Ian Bell, Executive Director Bath Chamber of Commerce and the Initiative in B&NES
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What Happens Next From 1st to 28th October 2010, businesses will be asked to cast their vote in a formal ballot. To ensure neutrality, the ballot will be administered by Bath & North East Somerset Council and will be a secret ballot.
All defined ratepayers, will be entitled to one vote per hereditament. Some businesses will occupy more than one hereditament within an area and therefore will have more than one vote and receive more than one ballot paper. Ratepayers that have been exempt from paying the BID levy will not be eligible to vote. It will be possible to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Proxy applications will need to be made to the ballot holder by 5pm on 18th October 2010. “The BID in Bath acts as a powerful voice for the business community. As a local business proud of its Bath heritage Mogers believe that the BID’s existence is vital to help provide an environment in which business can thrive and prosper.” Emma Fairclough Mogers Solicitor
A YES VOTE will establish a BID, the ballot will need to satisfy two tests as follows: • A majority in number of those voting • A majority in Rateable Value of those voting
Images are © Bath Tourism Plus and Bath City Centre Management. Design Harkness Browne
Eligible voters
Steps in the ballot process 16th September 2010 Your notice of ballot will be sent out 1st October 2010 Your ballot paper will arrive 28th October 2010 You will need to cast your vote by 5pm 29th October 2010 The ballot result will be announced on the BID website and then notified by post.
“A BID for Bath offers a fantastic opportunity and will make a real difference to businesses in the City Centre” Paul Wiltshire Bath News & Media
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Your vote counts
FOR BATH
You will be asked to cast your vote to establish a BID during a formal ballot period from
1st to 28th October 2010 For further information about the Bath BID, please contact the City Centre Management team in any of the following ways: Andrew Cooper City Centre Manager
• Email your comments to info@bathbid.co.uk • Discuss your comments by telephoning 01225 396 458 • Visit www.bathbid.co.uk
Melanie Heath PA to the City Centre Manager
Future Bath Plus is the Proposer for the Bath Business Improvement District
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Bath BID is a British BIDs member
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