Love Wimbledon BID Proposal 2012 - 2017
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What is a Business Improvement District (BID)? A business improvement district or BID is a not for profit company set up by businesses to improve an area. It is directed and funded by businesses to make improvements to the trading environment. A BID is a legal body which can only come into being following a successful ballot in which all eligible businesses have a vote on whether proposals, such as those contained in this document, should go ahead. For a BID ballot to be successful, it must be won on two counts: 1) A straight majority by the number of those voting 2) By a majority in the Rateable Value of those voting There are over 120 BIDs in operation in the UK including Kingston, Croydon and the West End of London.
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Index 1. What Businesses Want for Wimbledon 2. Key Aim and Strategic Objectives 3. BID Projects and Services 4. Financials 5. The Company 6. BID Levy Rules 7. Performance Management 8. The Love Wimbledon BID Area
Let’s raise our game.. Back the BID I am delighted to present you with the Love Wimbledon BID Proposal. This represents an exciting opportunity for the businesses of Wimbledon to drive forward a powerful, focused agenda for change in the town centre. The implementation of a Business Improvement District (BID) in Wimbledon will make a real, sustainable difference to the town centre, which will benefit all businesses. By making the area more attractive and vibrant and ensuring it is well represented, serviced and promoted we can ensure a thriving future for Wimbledon and its businesses. We have been delighted with the positive response we have received from the many businesses we have spoken to about the BID to date. This document sets out all you need to know about the proposed Business Improvement District for Wimbledon town centre. It sets out our proposed
projects for the next 5 years; how the BID will operate and what the BID means for the businesses of Wimbledon. Finally there are a number of legal requirements for a document of this nature and this essential information can be found in the last section of the proposal. We would be very happy to discuss any aspect of these proposals with you, so please do not hesitate to contact us. In January 2012 you will be asked to vote on whether the proposals presented here go ahead. I hope we can count on your support for this important initiative to make sure Wimbledon realises its potential and becomes a high quality thriving locality for all those working, visiting and living here.
Paul Windsor Chairman, Love Wimbledon Partner, WSM
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I am delighted to support the BID as it will deliver tangible benefits to our firm, its clients and staff and the whole of the business community in Wimbledon. Paul Harvey Managing Partner, Morrisons Solicitors
Our proposals for the future of Wimbledon have been determined by you the business community
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What businesses want for Wimbledon The responses you gave us in our online consultation, at our BID Forum events and business meetings and in our detailed one on one discussions with you have all been carefully considered in the development of our plans.
You told us that... •
You would like to instil a sense of civic pride in Wimbledon with a more attractive, cleaner and higher quality public realm
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In the long term you would like to see a step-change in peoples’ perception of Wimbledon – with it becoming known as a high quality destination for retail, offices and leisure alike (70% of survey respondents identified marketing the area as their first or second priority for the area)
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You want assistance with dealing with issues in the public realm
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60% of respondents to our online survey were concerned with the roadworks and congestion in the area
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You would welcome a review of parking provision and signage in the town centre (42% and 46% respectively prioritised these in the survey)
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You like having markets and events in the town centre (50% of survey respondents)
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You would like a comprehensive directory of retailers and leisure operators in the area
You would like to explore the possibility of the pedestrianisation of part of the town centre
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You would like clearer, consolidated information on the areas’ cultural offer and heritage
62% of survey respondents would like greater public toilet provision in the town centre
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You do not want to see the current levels of rubbish and associated detritus on the pavements
Retailers and leisure operators want to be able to let those working in offices in the area know about their promotions and offers
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Many of you are interested in practical advice on how to save money and make your business greener by running more efficiently
You want a voice in the future of the area (62% of survey respondents gave this as their first or second priority for the area)
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You are keen to explore the opportunities for savings through joint procurement/bulk purchasing with your neighbours
You want Wimbledon to be a high quality area which helps office based businesses attract and retain high calibre staff and helps retailers and those in the leisure industry attract customers and clients
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Key aim & strategic objectives Our Key Aim and Strategic Objectives have been developed following our detailed consultation with businesses on what they want for the future of Wimbledon. Key Aim To make Wimbledon town centre an attractive, safe, well presented and represented location of choice for business, visitors and residents. Strategic Objectives 1. Attractive, Vibrant, Cared for: To ensure Wimbledon town centre is attractive, vibrant and cared for. 2. Connected and Presented: To ensure the businesses, attractions and facilities of Wimbledon town centre are connected, clearly presented and represented with a strong collective voice. 3. Services to business: To provide services to support existing businesses and attract new ones.
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Projects and services
Attractive, vibrant and cared for Proposed budget: £519,375 Objective: To ensure Wimbledon town centre is attractive, vibrant and cared for. Achieving a BID for Wimbledon creates the opportunity to enable a real change in the area, with a properly resourced and focused programme of improvements to the town centre’s environment and appearance, as well as programmes to enhance the area’s vibrancy and attractiveness. These include: • Addressing concerns with waste and litter in the area by assessing the potential for a pilot scheme of set rubbish collection times •
Ambassadors – to monitor and report for action any issues with litter, cleansing or maintenance, as well as providing an information and welcoming service
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Planting, banners and lighting to enhance the area’s vibrancy and attractiveness and demonstrate that the area is monitored and cared for
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Upgraded paving, additional cleansing and gum removal to ensure the whole town centre benefits from a high quality pedestrian environment
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Projects to address Crime and Anti Social Behaviour of concern to businesses, for example projects to prevent and deter shop lifting, bag snatches and misbehaviour
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Regular, high quality markets, themed events, promotional activity and performances on the Piazza
Long term projects Love Wimbledon will also work to progress our long term aims for the area: • •
To increase public space To pedestrianise part of town centre
In the first BID term Love Wimbledon will carry out feasibility work to progress these aims and will set up a dedicated fund to be added to in future years, as well as applying for grants and external funding towards these larger projects.
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Connected, clearly presented and represented with a strong collective voice
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The London Borough of Merton is in the process of developing an exciting long term vision for the future of Wimbledon town centre. Love Wimbledon will play a key role in ensuring the business community is involved in the development of these proposals and part of the journey towards their realisation.
Connected, Represented, Promoted Proposed budget: £670,625 Objective: To ensure the businesses, attractions and facilities of Wimbledon town centre are connected, clearly presented and represented with a strong collective voice. Love Wimbledon will instigate a range of projects to ensure Wimbledon, its businesses, cultural attractions and heritage are promoted and the area’s offer coherently presented. Love Wimbledon will also provide a strong, collective voice for the area’s businesses to lobby on their behalf including focused efforts on the transport and congestion issues identified as problematic for many in the area.
These projects include: •
A comprehensive online and printed business and cultural attraction directory also to be available via an ‘app’
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Promoting offers and discounts from local retailers and leisure operators to those working in local offices
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Coordinated lobbying as a strong collective voice to speak up for the town centre and town centre businesses on all matters concerning the trading environment
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Love Wimbledon will be a key partner of the Wimbledon Way project – an exciting tourism project to create a permanent, marked walking route from Wimbledon Station to the All England Tennis Club to promote the area and its heritage
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Coordinated presentation of all local events and news on Love Wimbledon website and in the Wimbledon Guide
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Regular promotions, for example themed weeks and a ‘shop local’ scheme
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Networking events
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The expansion of the town centre information desk service – to be staffed by Love Wimbledon ambassadors
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Transport information provision and lobbying to reduce roadworks/congestion
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A review of parking provision in the area (to assess what improvements could be made) and the production of a parking guide
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Better provision for cyclists (including bike racks)
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Easier and more profitable trading in the town centre Services to business Proposed budget: £310,500 Objective: To provide services to support existing businesses and attract new ones. Love Wimbledon will provide a range of services to businesses to make trading in the town centre easier and more profitable. These services include: •
A business recycling service – a free service saving you money and increasing your green credentials
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Green business advice to assist businesses in becoming more energy efficient
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A zero to landfill programme – convenient waste collection which ensures waste does not go to landfill
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Joint procurement with your business neighbours to realise overall savings on common supplies
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‘One Stop Shop’ assistance from the Love Wimbledon team on any matters relating to the public realm and trading environment, saving you time and money, easing your frustrations and getting faster and more satisfactory results
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A coherent approach to supporting and promoting the evening economy – especially in relation to travel options for customers, cleansing, safety and the new licensing laws
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Free membership of the Merton Chamber of Commerce and all associated benefits including businesses promotion, networking, representation and advice
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Flexible Fund/New Projects It is intended that the Love Wimbledon BID will build up a reserve of flexible funds. This is becoming common practice for BIDs and will enable Love Wimbledon to be responsive and innovative in developing and progressing new projects or in building up a substantial fund to progress larger scale programmes. Any additions or enhancements to the BID programme would be decided on by the business representatives on the BID Board. It is intended that the budget for this Reserve Fund will come from three sources:
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Contingency funds – the BID programme budgets include prudent contingency reserves. It is hoped that these will not be required and can therefore be put in to the flexible fund after each year end
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Grants and public funds – Love Wimbledon BID will apply for grants and other funds to enhance its projects and services as decided by the BID Board
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Sponsorship and other contributions – The BID may also receive additional funds via sponsorship or other contributions, for example from businesses that are not in the BID area
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Want to find out if your business is included? The Love Wimbledon BID team would be happy to let you know if your business is eligible to pay the BID levy and if so, what your annual levy would be. To request this information... You can use the contact form on our website: www.lovewimbledon.org Or you can contact one of the BID team By phone: 020 8944 5501 By email: info@lovewimbledon.org
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Financials The Love Wimbledon BID will raise approximately £450,000 per annum through its BID levy.
The majority of businesses in the BID area will be paying between £200 and £1,000 per annum.
This levy will be 1% of the rateable value of each defined ratepayer in the BID area. There are approximately 430 eligible businesses in the proposed BID area. The money raised will be spent exclusively in the defined BID area, in line with the wishes of the businesses paying the levy.
How will the BID levy money be collected? BID levy payments will be due on 1st April each year and will be collected by the London Borough of Merton on behalf of the Love Wimbledon BID. The BID levy monies will be placed in a ring-fenced BID account by the London Borough of Merton and will be regularly transferred to the BID company.
How much will it cost my business? The BID Levy Rules on page 18 set out which businesses are eligible to pay the BID levy. To calculate how much your annual BID levy would be simply multiply your rateable value by 0.01 For example, if the rateable value of your business unit is £50,000 per annum, the annual levy would be £500, that is less than £10 per week.
Love Wimbledon and the London Borough of Merton will enter into an Operating Agreement following the BID ballot. This sets out how the BID levy is to be collected and administered and how this will be monitored by both parties. This agreement will ensure that the BID levy is collected effectively and efficiently.
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Wimbledon’s continued prosperity is essential to all of our well-being. The BID ensures Wimbledon businesses are in control of their own destiny. David James Managing Director, Elys
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The budget split has been determined by the priorities of the Wimbledon business community
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How will the money be spent?
Budget breakdown for Five Year BID Term: Total spend: £2,253,956
23%
Attractive, Vibrant, Cared For £519,375
30%
Connected, Represented, Promoted £670,625
14%
Service to Business £310,500
16%
Management & Admin £361,625
12% Overheads £274,500
5%
Note: This includes estimated income from property owners (£50,000) and LB Merton (£50,000) – both of these are to be confirmed. Financial Arrangements •
The Love Wimbledon BID Board will approve, in advance, an annual budget for the BID for each financial year
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Love Wimbledon will not be able to operate in deficit or incur liabilities that come into effect after the operational period e.g. after March 2017
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Love Wimbledon will produce annual accounts for each financial year and these will be available to all BID levy payers and the Local Authority. These will be presented at Love Wimbledon’s Annual General Meeting
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The BID Board will decide how any unspent or additional income should be utilised
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All budgets include a 5% contingency reserve to take into account any unexpected shortfall
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Any redistribution of funds among all projects within the total annual programme budget will require BID Board approval
Contingency/Flexible Fund £107,331
<1%
Recovery of set-up costs £10,000
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The Company Love Wimbledon Limited is incorporated as a not–for– profit company limited by guarantee. The company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association are available at www.lovewimbledon.org or from the Love Wimbledon office.
Background Love Wimbledon currently operates a Shadow Board with representation from the following local businesses and organisations: •
Centre Court Shopping Centre
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Communication Workers Union
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Elys
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Merton Chamber of Commerce
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Morrisons Solicitors
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Polka Theatre
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The Watershed Club
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WSM Accountants
The Merton Chamber of Commerce is project managing the development of the BID under the Shadow Board’s direction with support from Merton Council. The BID is the successor to the Wimbledon Town Centre Management and Wimbledon Going for Gold programmes which have been run by the Merton Chamber of Commerce since 2003 and 2009 respectively.
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The achievements of the Wimbledon Town Centre Management and Wimbledon Going for Gold programmes include: •
The establishment of the Wimbledon town centre information point
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The production of the quarterly Wimbledon Guide
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The establishment of a regular Wimbledon Business Forum
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Themed weeks, such as Sports Week and Foodfest
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Large scale events, such as Winter Wonderland
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The inception of The Wimbledon Way project
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The town centre website
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Managing specialist food and other markets
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Management of the Piazza for use as a space for performances, promotions and other events
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Provision of enquiry line for businesses, visitors and residents
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Co-ordination and dissemination of information (for example: regarding roadworks or the recent unrest) to local businesses and residents
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Provision of promotion opportunities for businesses, charities and community groups
The Board The Love Wimbledon BID Board will be formalised once the BID is established. It will be made up of representatives of the Wimbledon town centre business community and
will direct how BID funds are spent to improve the area for businesses. There will also be project subgroups for each of Love Wimbledon’s project areas, with the Chair of each sitting on the BID Board. All BID levy paying businesses are automatically company members and are encouraged to put themselves forward to sit on Love Wimbledon’s project subgroups and Board. The make-up of the BID Board will broadly reflect the make-up of Wimbledon town centre businesses eligible to pay the BID levy with representatives for each business sector. The members of the current Shadow BID Board will transfer to the new BID Board initially to ensure continuity. There will also be places available on the BID Board for new members. The London Borough of Merton and the Metropolitan Police shall have seats as observers of the BID Board. Baseline Agreements Love Wimbledon will enter into baseline agreements with the London Borough of Merton to ensure that improvements and services carried out by the BID represent true additionality and do not replace services that should already be provided by the local authority. These agreements clearly define the level of provision of the local authority and ensure they are committed to maintaining or improving this level of service for the duration of the BID. The information contained in these agreements will also assist the BID in monitoring service provision in the area. The Baseline Agreements will be published on the Love Wimbledon website.
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BID levy rules The formation of a BID is enabled by Government legislation and regulation. This section defines the BID levy rules, as required by statute. Following a successful ballot, the BID levy becomes mandatory for all those defined businesses or occupiers in the BID area.
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The BID levy is fixed at 1% of rateable value
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The BID levy can only be increased annually, on the 1st April, to allow for inflation. The allowance for inflation shall be decided by the BID Board and shall equal no more than either 3% or RPI plus 1% per annum
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The BID term will be for 5 years from 1st April 2012
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The BID levy will be applied to all ratepayers with a rateable value of £20,000 or more
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Charity shops and Community Centres shall be exempt from the BID levy
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Other charitable organisations in receipt of mandatory or discretionary charitable relief from rates will receive an 80% reduction on the BID levy
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All retailers within the Centre Court Shopping Centre shall receive a 25% reduction on the BID levy
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All new hereditaments entering the rating list after 1st April 2012 shall have the BID levy applied as per the BID levy rules
Performance Measurement Love Wimbledon will be fully transparent and accountable to the businesses paying the BID levy.
We will measure the performance of the town centre and the BID through: •
Customer satisfaction and business surveys
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A detailed mid-BID term consultation and review
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Crime statistics
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Footfall statistics
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Media coverage
The owners of empty properties will be liable for the BID levy with no void period
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Website visits
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There will be no VAT charged on the BID levy
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App (directory) downloads
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The BID board will be able to alter the BID arrangements without an alteration ballot, so long as any alterations do not: X alter the geographical area of the BID X alter the BID levy payable X conflict with the Local Government Act (2003) or The Business Improvement District Regulations (2004)
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Savings to businesses
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Love Wimbledon will also apply for British BIDs accreditation to ensure an independent assessment of its quality management systems and to certify that the BID is well managed, has strong governance arrangements in place and complies with the Legislation and Regulations which govern it.
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The overriding objective is to benefit all businesses located in the BID area Retail Outlets
Office Occupiers
Leisure & Hospitality
Increased footfall through promotion of area and creation of a cleaner and more attractive environment
The ability to recruit and retain high calibre staff attracted by a high quality, attractive area
Increased trade through promotion of the area and creation of a cleaner and more attractive environment
Promotion of business business directory
Reduced operating costs and improving green credentials through business recycling service, joint procurement and one-stop shop advice service
Increased business promotion via networking events and business directory
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Facilitated access to office workers for promotions via e-newsletter and website A strong collective voice for businesses to lobby council/Police/others to ensure businessesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs and views are taken into account The opportunity to shape the future of the area Improved safety and security with our ambassador scheme and projects to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour Regular information regarding area plans, roadworks, travel and traffic to minimise business disruption Reduced operating costs and improving green credentials through business recycling service, joint procurement and one-stop shop advice service
Increased business promotion via networking events and business directory Representation through a strong collective voice for businesses to lobby council/Police/others to ensure businesses needs/views are taken into account
Facilitated access to office workers for promotions via e-newsletter and website Assistance and collective approach re changes in licensing law/Community Infrastructure Levy
The opportunity to shape the future of the town centre
Representation through a strong collective voice for businesses to lobby council/Police/others to ensure businesses needs/views are taken into account
Regular local offers and promotions for staff
The opportunity to shape the future of the area
Improved safety and security through our ambassadors and projects to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour
Improved safety and security through our ambassadors and projects to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour
Regular information regarding area plans, roadworks, travel and traffic to minimise business disruption
Regular information regarding area plans, roadworks, travel and traffic to minimise business disruption Reduced operating costs and improving green credentials through business recycling service, joint procurement and one-stop shop advice service The ability to recruit and retain high calibre staff attracted by a high quality, attractive area
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The Love Wimbledon BID area The Love Wimbledon BID would cover the area indicated on this map. For full detail of roads and building numbers within the BID area please visit our website:
www.lovewimbledon.org
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Vote Yes for Wimbledon You will have the chance to vote for the Love Wimbledon BID between:
9th January to 9th February This will be a formal postal ballot carried out by the London Borough of Merton.
All defined ratepayers will be entitled to one vote per hereditament or rated property unit. Ballot timetable – Don’t miss your chance to vote!
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12th December 2011:
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9th January 2012:
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30th January 2012:
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By 9th February 2012 at 5pm:
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10th February 2012:
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1st April 2012:
You will be sent a notice of ballot
You will be sent your ballot paper
Deadline for applications for proxy votes
You need to have cast your vote
The ballot result will be announced
The Love Wimbledon BID commences operation
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We hope we can count on your support to enable us to realise this important step-change for Wimbledon and your business
Get in touch Please do not hesitate to contact the Love Wimbledon team if you would like any further information or would like to arrange a meeting to discuss our proposal in more detail.
www.lovewimbledon.org Penny Alexander – Project Manager E: penny@lovewimbledon.org Tracy Francis – Town Centre Manager E: tracy@lovewimbledon.org Tel:
020 8944 5501
Love Wimbledon c/o Merton Chamber of Commerce 5th Floor, Tuition House St George’s Road Wimbledon SW19 4EU