NOTTINGHAM A REGIONAL CITY WITH A NATIONAL REPUTATION R E N E WA L
B U S I N E S S F O R
P L A N T H E
2 0 1 6 - 2 0 2 0
BIDS A
B R I E F
HISTORY WHAT IS A BID
During the 1980s and 1990s, decentralisation and suburbanisation created a need for new forms of public-private partnership alongside the provision of town centre management. This was often via not-for-profit companies created of businesses within the area but with no long-term commitment. In turn, by the early 2000s, a more sustainable model of town centre management was required and attention turned to a concept which originated in Canada and America – the Business Improvement District (BID). A BID is created through a ballot of business occupiers in a commercial district. If a majority of those businesses balloted support a business plan of improvement then all occupiers pay into a central pot to deliver those services for up to five years. The first BID was created in Kingston in 2004 and commenced in 2005, since then the UK hasn’t looked back. There are now over 200 town, city and industrial BIDs with many locations now heading into their third five year term.
NOTTINGHAM
BID
THE STORY
Nottingham embraced the BID concept in 2008 with a leisure-focused BID consisting of 300 businesses. This resulted from a desire to challenge perceptions that Nottingham had a reputation at the time for being unsafe. Projects were therefore centred around the evening economy and late night trading. The concept was well received and retailers looked to mirror the model. In January 2011, a retail BID came into force. Over time it became evident that the overall objectives of both BIDs – to improve and raise awareness of Nottingham - aligned to such an extent, and within a similar geographical area, that a merger would be the most beneficial way forward for the businesses represented. Messaging and budgets were brought together to create a much more efficient and powerful delivery vehicle for business improvement. Since then the BID has gone from strength to strength, delivering some great initiatives. Stakeholders across the city, including the BID, have taken to delivering a regional city with a national reputation.
A STORY OF
WHAT THE BID HAS ACHIEVED SO FAR In the original business plans of the Nottingham Retail BID and the Nottingham Leisure BID, a number of objectives were set out and then merged into the Nottingham BID. Here are just some of the highlights from the past few years. The BIDs said they would:
Improve on-street information and signage to link shopping with visitor activities Developed a bespoke cross-platform app for the It’s in Nottingham brand.
Allowing users to digitally navigate their way across the city. Provided maps to businesses and hotels to ensure visitors can navigate the city.
Over 20,000 maps were distributed in 2014.
SUCCESS Ensure that members are communicated with and kept abreast of city performance Provided footfall cameras for the city at strategic locations.
Delivered monthly emails, direct mail and social media to highlight opportunities.
264,554,764
Members have been communicated with in excess of
Since 2011
people entered key footfall areas.
200 times via letters, emails and meetings.
Showcase the diverse USP of the city – the independents A dedicated annual marketing campaign, highlighting the variety and quality of Nottingham’s independent offer.
Over 5,000 votes cast in support of Nottingham’s ‘Best Independents’ competition in one year alone.
A STORY OF SUCCESS WHAT THE BID HAS ACHIEVED SO FAR Raise the standards of access around the city Initiatives were funded and supported by the BID to encourage a safe, cost-effective journey to and from the city – whether that’s via car, taxi or bus.
Funded Boxing Day buses to ensure workers could get to work and customers could enjoy the sales in the city.
Free and discounted on-street parking was provided for major BID events.
In 2014
3,000 hours of coverage was provided by the Taxi Marshals.
Develop new key events to exploit the city’s retail strengths Delivered high-profile events to attract audiences, encouraging spend and dwell time.
#FASHION48 created over
10.7 million digital and offline impressions during the 2015 event.
Help ensure standards of safety in the city Late Night Levy Exemption.
Saving businesses in the late night economy over
ÂŁ100,000 per annum.
The RadioLink scheme was introduced, providing a new digital city centre radio system at a discounted cost for BID members.
175 RadioLink users, directly linked to Police and CCTV since 2013. Supported the Nottingham Street Pastors.
30,000 bottles of water distributed to evening economy users. Five months of short-term funding has been provided by the BID, the police and crime commissioner and intu to safe guard their immediate future.
The Purple Flag accreditation scheme was awarded to the city. Thanks to partnership working with Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Police, amongst other organisations.
As a city, Nottingham has now held the national mark of a safer night out for five consecutive years. Created a banning order scheme, helping to elevate standards within the licensing industry.
Over 100 businesses signed up to the “Banned from One, Banned from All� scheme in 2014. Best Bar None.
48 businesses accredited, helping to improve standards of safety.
A STORY OF SUCCESS WHAT THE BID HAS ACHIEVED SO FAR Elevate the standards of welcoming into, and promoting, the city Established a team of Street Ambassadors to welcome visitors, support businesses and report on-street issues.
8,000
on-street hours in 2014.
An award-winning Floral Trail was created featuring wicker planter sculptures.
Recipients of a
Silver Gilt prize at the East Midlands in Bloom Awards 2014.
Funded a cleaning machine in conjunction with Nottingham City Council.
Over 668,000 sq metres of pavement were cleaned in 2014.
Help to grow the evening retail trade and strengthen customer loyalty Commissioned a city-wide independent research survey into the viability of a Late Night Shopping offer for both visitors and businesses.
Early indicators suggest that there is an appetite for the city retail offer extending into the evening.
A
NOT E
F R OM
T H E
CHAIRMAN As you have seen, the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) has achieved great things since its launch in 2011, and has gone from strength to strength following the merger of the retail and leisure BIDs in 2013. I am, therefore, delighted to be writing this at such a positive and dynamic time for the city of Nottingham. Now we have an opportunity to build on that success and help take things to the next level. But that means all of us continuing to support the BID and enabling the vital work to go on. You will see from the research conducted amongst current and potential BID members in the retail, leisure and office sectors one message was clear: help win back local and regional consumers and employees, and help to put Nottingham back on the national stage. We are committed to working with other partners in the city on this next stage of our exciting journey. With such a rich variety of independent enterprises and start-ups, Nottingham is not just a great place to live, work and visit. It is also a vibrant, thriving commercial hub and one of the powerhouses of the UK economy. By including all sectors and expanding the BID zone to bring in areas of the city previously within the Leisure BID area, we can raise and widen our profile, firmly establishing Nottingham in the nation’s consciousness and even beyond. If the Nottingham BID renewal receives a majority ‘yes’ vote, it will deliver over £5,000,000 of investment into the city over the next five years. Our plans for 2016 onwards include: • A commitment to working in partnership with other organisations in improving the city and building upon its reputation. • Capitalising on the recent and planned infrastructure improvements to attract local people back into the city centre to work, enjoy, study and shop by utilising innovative promotional methods. • Helping to develop a more exciting evening economy for the city. • Bringing forward proposals for late night shopping. • Delivering dedicated campaigns and communicating to employees and students, encouraging them to support local businesses and attend city centre events in a safe and secure environment. • Continue to lobby for important business issues such as Late Night Levy exemption. • Showcasing the fantastic independent offering - our city’s exceptional USP. Many thanks for taking the time to read this strategic plan. I look forward to working with you to help take Nottingham confidently into the future.
JEFF ALLEN CHAIRMAN NOTTINGHAM BID
IF THE NOTTINGHAM BID RENEWAL RECEIVES A MAJORITY ‘YES’ VOTE, IT WILL DELIVER OVER £5,000,000 OF INVESTMENT INTO THE CITY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
KEY ASPECTS
F O R T H E N O T T I N G H A M B I D’S S E C O N D T E R M
LATE NIGHT LEVY
JO COX-BROWN, MALT CROSS “The Late Night Levy exemption is key to our support of the BID. It demonstrates that the BID is prepared to stand up for the needs of our business and is able to influence policy in the city. This exemption, coupled with the existing services that the BID has in place to support the late night economy, means we will be supporting the BID for the next five years.”
RETAIL & LEISURE
REITH TAYLOR, BORN AMBITIOUS “Since the merger of the Nottingham Retail and Nottingham Leisure BIDs, we have seen a far more cohesive approach to the BID’s delivery across the city. Our customers want to be able to shop with us and then enjoy everything else the city has to offer. The BID has consistently helped to promote that wider offer, which is crucial to the success of the city and will continue to do so through support for the late night trading initiative.”
REPRESENTATION
ANDREW ARGYLE, POTTER CLARKSON “Potter Clarkson will be supporting the BID. At Potter Clarkson we pride ourselves on providing our staff with an excellent working environment. By being part of the BID, we are investing in the wider Nottingham community, helping to ensure the city is a safe and enjoyable place for our employees.”
A SAFER CITY
JULIE TIPPINS, DHP FAMILY “It is vital to our customers that they feel safe when visiting Nottingham. The BID’s work providing Taxi Marshals, funding for Street Pastors, a successful Best Bar None scheme and five consecutive years of Purple Flag accreditation clearly demonstrates that the BID is committed to playing its part in making Nottingham a safer city.”
SIGNATURE EVENTS KARREN NIX, JIGSAW
“Nottingham BID delivers some fantastic signature events which businesses can get involved in and benefit from. We always participate in the 48 Hours of Fashion event as it helps our brand to reach new audiences and increases our sales; a key factor in our support for the BID.”
INDEPENDENTS
JESS BARNETT, TREAT KITCHEN “Nottingham has a long tradition of excellent independent businesses and the Nottingham BID is playing a key role in supporting this. The It’s in Nottingham independents campaign allows us to showcase exactly what it is that makes our business unique and allows Nottingham as a city to shout about the variety and quality of its independent offer.”
INVESTMENT
JANINE BONE, INTU PROPERTIES “The city has seen substantial investment over the past five years from both the public and private sector. The BID’s vision to make Nottingham a regional and national city of choice shows that they are willing to be as ambitious for the city as we are.”
AN INFORMED
APPROACH The BID has achieved a great deal. But there’s much more to do over the next five years to help make Nottingham a great place to live, work and visit. Maintaining the BID keeps the good work going. It was created to drive and provide vital funding for important initiatives that other organisations cannot deliver. There’s nobody else to step in with the kind of focused marketing and management that Nottingham city centre needs to thrive and build on its strengths.
MID-TERM RESEARCH The Nottingham BID has consulted throughout its BID term to ensure that the services delivered by the BID are providing value for money and still meet the needs of members. This research and consultation has included; • Annual surveys since the merger of the BID. • Quarterly licensing advisory group to provide guidance on licensing issues in the city. • Paper and digital surveys distributed following major campaigns to gain feedback and suggestions to shape future plans. • Five Marketing Advisory Group meetings a year, enabling businesses to feedback on plans for campaigns and make suggestions on how these can be brought forward. • Surveys issued after campaigns to get feedback from businesses and suggestions of how to improve going forwards – 50 survey responses in the last year. • Micro Pubwatch meetings; giving licensed premises the chance to discuss issues in their area. • Information sharing meetings; helping retailers to share information on known offenders in the city and feedback on the work of the BID’s business crime initiatives.
RENEWAL RESEARCH To formulate business needs for a potential second BID term, the Nottingham BID carried out research amongst businesses within the existing BID area and sectors, but also in areas closely adjoining the BID and encompassing the office sector to hear their issues, as employees and students support a vital part of Nottingham’s economy. Questionnaires, focus groups, tenants’ meetings and one-to-one discussions have been undertaken. In addition, a summary consultation document was submitted to both local and head office voters for feedback.
100% POSITIVE
AN INFORMED
APPROACH RENEWAL QUESTIONNAIRES A quantitative questionnaire, based on the current delivery streams of Place Marketing, Place Management and Licensing, was issued in September 2014 to existing BID members, close by areas and also the office and student sectors. When asked about their future priorities, the 55% of businesses responding said:
PLACE MANAGEMENT
33%
LICENSING
21%
RESPONSES PLACE MARKETING
46% RENEWAL FOCUS GROUPS The BID followed up the survey research with a series of workshops in January 2015 to further develop the key strands of delivery for the BID. Workshops were held for: Retail and leisure premises • Independents • Offices These focus groups indicated the need to support and engage with the office sector and students to further promote the city and its unique selling points, whilst maintaining a great environment to live, work and enjoy.
BUSINESSES WANTED
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS EVENTS
CONFERENCES
3%
MEDIA COVERAGE
8%
11%
25%
26%
PLACE MARKETING 21% 3% CAMPAIGNS
26%
15%
19% 16% 19%
20%
BUSINESS CRIME REDUCTION
ONLINE PRESENCE
25%
11%
19%
FLORAL PLANTERS
17% 8%
15%
PLACE MANAGEMENT
REPRESENTATION TRAINING COURSES
21%
BEST BAR NONE
17% 11%
LICENSING
UNIFORM PRESENCE
17%
21% 17% TAXI MARSHALS
16%
19%
20% 11%
23%
SIGNAGE & MAPS
LATE NIGHT LEVY EXEMPTION
PURPLE FLAG
For licensed premises, one issue was key – the Late Night Levy exemption. Agreed by the BID with Nottingham City Council, securing this exemption was vitally important for the future of their businesses. Of those who would be eligible for exemption, 70% said this was the most important issue to them.
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Map not to scale; indicative only. List of streets and hereditaments are available via www.nottinghambid.com Current BID boundary Proposed BID area
STATION STREET TRAM STOP
RAILWAY STATION
THE SHAPE OF THE BID
VICTORIA PARK
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2016 - 2020
IN NT
ST
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The research conducted by the BID not only highlighted future priorities but also indicated that businesses currently not in the BID, be it geographical or sectoral, had a desire to be so.
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Expand the area
ENT STREET LOWER PA RLIAM
NATIONAL ICE CENTRE AND CAPITAL FM ARENA
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TO REFLECT THIS RESEARCH THE BID PROPOSES TO:
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ET TRE
N CARLTO
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STREE T
STREET
Reduce the levy rate to 1.25% Make the BID cost-free for more small businesses Increase support for independents Continue to ensure the city is well managed and safe
AM S T
TREE
Promote the city; locally, regionally and nationally Include the office sector and provide unique benefits for those employees working in the city Include educational institutions and embrace the ‘ever growing’ student population of the city
T R A N S F O R M I N G
THE CITY In the first term, the vision of the BID was to “contribute to making Nottingham the shopping and leisure destination of choice in the East Midlands.� The new BID will commit to building upon and extending the range of partnerships to best enable delivery. Partnership working with organisations such as Nottingham City Council, The Creative Quarter and the new Marketing for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire organisation will be vital.
2020 VISION: “TO TRANSFORM NOTTINGHAM INTO A REGIONAL AND NATIONAL CITY OF CHOICE FOR SHOPPING, LEISURE, WORK AND STUDY ”
PROM RAISING
NOTTINGHAM’S PROFILE EFFECTIVE MARKETING IS A VITAL TOOL IN SELLING THE NOTTINGHAM CITY CENTRE BRAND TO LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL AUDIENCES. THE BID WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ATTRACTIVE CONSUMER PROMOTIONS, LIFESTYLE EVENTS AND PROFILE-RAISING PR ACTIVITY.
OTED C I T Y
PROMOTED C I T Y
EVENING ECONOMY
WIDER PROMOTION
The cities that are forging ahead are those that are combining their retail and leisure experiences. A key strand of delivery for the new BID will be a commitment to working with businesses to establish a strong and viable late night trading economy. This would be the biggest single change to Nottingham’s retail offering for a decade.
As part of the strategy to widen Nottingham’s appeal, the BID is committed to working with others, including the new Place Marketing organisation, to help promote to a wider audience beyond the immediate catchment area. High-profile campaigns can position Nottingham as a highly attractive day trip or short break destination.
The aim is to inspire visitors to come and discover the city’s many and varied retail and leisure attractions, highlighting the excellent transport connections and parking facilities. This will work in tandem with forward planning - allowing businesses to plan ahead, around an annual calendar of key city events.
DIGITAL PLATFORM
DEVELOPING THE ‘48 HOURS’ THEME
CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
A digital platform will be delivered by Christmas 2015 to embrace changing consumer habits and seamlessly link the offline and online shopping experience, reconnecting web consumers with visits to the high street.
The 48 Hours of Fashion event has been one of the star events created by the BID, significantly increasing footfall and sales for many of the city’s boutiques, department stores and hair/beauty salons. A series of other exciting events will be developed under the ‘48 Hours’ brand to attract, not just local, but regional and national publicity.
Nottingham already has a thriving conference and events market. The BID will work with partner organisations to support the continued provision of excellent conferences and events in the city, whilst providing BID businesses with the information required for them to participate in or attend these conferences.
C I T Y
INDEPE
NDENT S U P P OR T I NG N OTTI N G HA M’S I N DE P E N DENT B US INES S ES THE HIGH PROPORTION OF INDEPENDENTS IN NOTTINGHAM MAKES IT EXCEPTIONAL. A RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY HIGHLIGHTED NOTTINGHAM AS HAVING ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATIOS OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES NATIONALLY. THE BID IS COMMITTED TO RECOGNISING, CELEBRATING AND SUPPORTING THEIR VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
Image: 200 Degrees, Old Market Square
WORK C I T Y
C I T Y
INDEPENDENT
Independent businesses are a crucial point of differentiation for Nottingham’s retail and leisure offerings. One survey indicated that Nottingham has more independent businesses than all but one other UK city outside of London. The BID is committed to recognising, celebrating and supporting their vital contribution to the local economy.
The BID will ring-fence over £100,000 per year exclusively for supporting independent businesses.
REPRESENTATION A new group representing all independents will be formed to recommend how this fund is spent each year. The group will be chaired by an independent business representative who will also represent the interests of the sector on the BID Committee.
EVENTS In line with the events the BID is proposing for the next five years, the BID commits to incorporating a bespoke independent aspect to each campaign, highlighting the variety and quality of Nottingham’s independent offer.
MARKETING The BID will ensure there is a bespoke marketing campaign based upon the incredibly diverse independent offering of Nottingham. This will build on the independent campaigns the BID has delivered in the city, which gives all independents the chance to be crowned the It’s in Nottingham “Independent Business of the Year.”
LATE NIGHT LEVY EXEMPTION For those businesses that fall below the BID’s proposed new threshold of £25,000, the BID will commit to paying the Late Night Levy. This ensures that all premises within the area are competing on an equal footing and encourages the growth of independent leisure premises in Nottingham.
KING
THE BID WILL RING-FENCE OVER £500,000 TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES.
Image: Le Chien et Moi
WOR C I T Y
KING
ENGAGING WITH EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS
THE NEW BID WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIDEN ENGAGEMENT WITH STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES. ONE OF THE KEY AIMS OF THE BID GOING FORWARD WILL BE TO INTERACT POSITIVELY WITH THESE IMPORTANT GROUPS TO SHOW THEM HOW MUCH THEY ARE VALUED AS PART OF THE CITY CENTRE COMMUNITY.
WORKING C I T Y
ENGAGING THE STUDENT POPULATION
EMBRACING CITY CENTRE WORKERS
The student population is a key economic driver for the city. The BID will aim to build much closer links by creating an exciting and appealing offer for students. By building a strong affinity with them, the BID will hopefully encourage students to remain in the city once their studies are concluded.
Research amongst the office sector has shown significant support for inclusion. There is huge potential to benefit the local economy by creating stronger ties between the city centre’s working population and its retail and leisure businesses.
Nottingham has a student population of over 60,000. The BID will work closely with the two universities and other higher and further education institutions to create a high-profile promotional campaign, focusing on the city centre’s many retail and leisure attractions for young people.
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
AN ADVOCATE FOR BUSINESS
Having already commissioned a feasibility survey indicating a positive view amongst visitors for later trading hours, the BID will now work closely with retailers to support and promote a viable late night shopping offer for the city, giving employees the chance to enjoy the city’s complete offering.
Over the years the BID has established a strong track record of promoting and defending the interests of Nottingham’s commercial community. The BID will continue to vigorously embrace this role to ensure all businesses can have their views heard on any city centre issues which directly or indirectly affect them.
SAFE AND SECURE Through the BID’s projects detailed in ‘Managed City’, the BID will work to ensure the city is safer, cleaner and more welcoming for students and staff.
Image: Potter Clarkson, Belgrave Centre, Talbot Street
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND INCENTIVES To encourage them to make the most of Nottingham’s excellent retail offering and vibrant night-time economy, employees and students will have access to a range of benefits and incentives, including VIP access to BID events, exclusive offers, unique competitions and loyalty rewards. The BID will support these offers with parking and transport concessions to help make it cost-effective for employees and students to stay in the city and revisit at weekends.
MAN C I T Y
CREATING A CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY TRADING ENVIRONMENT
ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE BID IS TO IMPROVE THE CITY CENTRE EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS AND BUSINESSES. THE BID WILL CONTINUE TO FACILITATE AND SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF INITIATIVES TO CREATE A PLEASANT, SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT.
AGED
Image: Old Market Square
MANAGED C I T Y
THE BID WILL PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE TEAM OF STREET AMBASSADORS. THEY ARE THE FRIENDLY FACE OF NOTTINGHAM, WELCOMING VISITORS TO THE CITY CENTRE, AS WELL AS PROVIDING ADVICE AND INFORMATION.
EXCLUSION SCHEME To ensure customers can confidently enjoy Nottingham’s night-time economy without fears about safety or anti-social behaviour, the BID will continue to grow the retail and leisure exclusion notice scheme. Excluding those who offend in one establishment from visiting all others in the scheme sends out a strong zero-tolerance message. The Ambassador team will be supporting this scheme by responding to businesses using the RadioLink system to target those criminals affecting both retail and leisure premises.
MORE SUPPORT FOR STREET PASTORS The Street Pastors scheme has been highly successful, providing valuable on-street support for the city’s night-time visitors every Friday and Saturday. The BID will increase funding to further support the Street Pastors team.
RADIOLINK SCHEME
EXTENDED TAXI MARSHAL HOURS
TRANSPORT AND PARKING PROMOTION
The BID will further develop its RadioLink scheme. Linking the police, CCTV cameras, the Ambassadors and 175 city centre businesses, the scheme is a valuable tool which shares information on incidences of crime or anti-social behaviour and potential offenders.
The BID will continue to supplement the provision of taxi marshals during peak hours at key locations across the city. In addition, their working hours will be extended to reflect the everchanging consumer behaviours in the city. That means even more residents, visitors and employees will be able to benefit from the reassurance of using a supervised taxi rank.
Public transport and parking costs have had a major influence on footfall. The BID will build on the existing transport offers it has facilitated to ensure Nottingham is competitive with other UK cities and visitors can enjoy cost-effective access to the BID area.
URBAN INTERVENTION Creative use of Nottingham’s urban landscapes can enhance the city centre experience and generate national publicity. Taking innovative projects such as Newcastle’s ‘pocket parks’ as inspiration, the BID aims to facilitate and support initiatives that reinforce a ‘sense of place’ and appeal to visitors of all ages.
TARGETING ‘GROT SPOTS’ The BID is committed to supporting tactical cleaning resources that can quickly and efficiently target problem areas, including removing chewing gum and cleaning up ‘morning after’ debris.
PARTNERSHIP Resulting from the exemption for BID businesses from the Late Night Levy, a new Community Safety Partnership has been created to bring together and improve upon the work of the local authority, the police, licensed premises and the BID.
R U L E S
BID In developing the rules that will apply to the renewed BID, consideration has been given to ‘The Industry Criteria and Guidance Notes for BIDs’ published by British BIDs jointly for the British Retail Consortium, the Inter Banking Rating Forum, the British Council of Shopping Centres and the Federation of Small Businesses.
THE BALLOT 1. Nottingham City Council will send those responsible for properties or hereditaments which will be subject to the BID a ballot paper, prior to Friday 19th June 2015. 2. Each property or hereditament subject to the BID will be entitled to one vote in respect of this BID renewal proposal in a 28 day postal ballot which will commence on Friday 19th June 2015, and close at 5pm on Thursday 16th July 2015. Ballot papers received after 5pm on that day will not be counted. The result of the ballot is due to be announced on the following day. 3. In order for the proposal to be successful at ballot the result will need to meet, as a minimum, two independent criteria which are: (a) of those ballots returned by the close, those voting in favour of the renewal proposal must exceed those voting against it, and (b) of those ballot papers returned by the close, the total rateable value of those properties or hereditaments which vote in favour, must exceed the total of those voting against. 4. If successful at ballot, the renewed BID will commence delivery of services in January 2016 and will continue for a period of five years to December 2020.
THE LEVY 1. The levy rate to be paid by each property or hereditament is to be calculated as 1.25% of its rateable value as at the ‘chargeable day’ (notionally 1st January each year). This returns the BID to its originating levy rate. 2. All properties or hereditaments with a rateable value of £25,000 or more will be eligible for payment of the levy. This threshold has changed from £15,000. 3. The number of properties or hereditaments liable for the levy is approximately 824. 4. From 2017 onwards, the levy rate will be increased by the fixed rate of inflation of 3% per annum. 5. The levy will be charged annually in advance for each chargeable period (January to December each year), starting in January 2016. No refunds will be made. 6. The maximum amount payable for any one hereditament is capped at £15,000 (rising by 3% a year). 7. The owners of untenanted properties or hereditaments will be liable for payment of the levy. 8. Occupiers within covered shopping or leisure centres that are subject to a service charge will pay 60% of the levy that would otherwise apply. 9. Charitable organisations that are subject to relief on their business rates liability will pay 60% of the levy that would otherwise apply.
10. The BID has welcomed the exemption for BID levy payers from the Late Night Levy and both the BID and the council expect this to continue. This being the case, the BID’s contribution to community safety is guaranteed. In the unlikely event that Late Night Levy arrangements change, the liability for payment of the BID levy for those affected may be adjusted and community safety services altered in order that a balanced budget is maintained. Compensation for those under the BID’s threshold and paying the Late Night Levy will continue for as long as the BID’s exemption is in place. 11. Nottingham City Council will be responsible for collection of the levy. The collection charge will be £20,000 per annum; this equates to £24.27 per hereditament and 1.8% of anticipated billed levy.
FINANCES YEAR 1 (£)
YEAR 2 (£)
YEAR 3 (£)
YEAR 4 (£)
YEAR 5 (£)
TOTAL (£)
1,030,123
1,061,027
1,092,857
1,125,643
1,159,413
5,469,063
66,519
68,515
70,570
72,687
74,868
353,159
1,096,642
1,129,542
1,163,427
1,198,330
1,234,281
5,822,222
Operating Costs
194,617
200,456
206,470
212,664
219,044
1,033,250
18%
Promoted City
332,666
404,446
416,579
429,077
441,949
2,024,716
35%
Managed City
308,650
317,910
327,447
337,270
347,388
1,638,665
29%
Working City
100,000
103,000
106,090
109,273
112,551
530,914
9%
Independent City
100,000
103,000
106,090
109,273
112,551
530,914
9%
Total Expenditure
1,035,933
1,128,812
1,162,676
1,197,557
1,233,483
5,758,459
100%
Annual Surplus
60,709
730
752
775
798
63,764
Carried Forward Reserves
180,679
181,409
182,161
182,936
183,734
183,734
INCOME BID Levy Additional Income Total Income EXPENDITURE
1. A cautious approach has been adopted to providing the indicative budget for the renewed BID term. This is based upon historic trends. 2. A levy collection rate of 97% has been assumed and this reflects historic performance. 3. The average annual levy available to be spent by the BID for the term is £1,093,812. 4. A contingency provision on expenditure, together with the availability of reserves, provides for an anticipated surplus of £183,734 by the end of the renewed term. This equates to 3% of expenditure. 5. During the first term, the BID had some success in generating additional revenue (£502,368). The additional income provision within the budget for the renewed BID takes account of committed amounts only and is conservative in that regard. This totals 6% of the estimate levy to be collected. 6. Operating costs of the BID are estimated as 18% of total expenditure.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY 1. The BID will continue to recognise the importance of accountability and transparency within its governance arrangements. It is certified through British BIDs Accreditation, an award in respect of internal quality management systems. It will seek to retain this accreditation throughout its renewed term. 2. The number of Directors (the Board) will expand (maximum 12) to include additional representation from the student, office and property sectors to ensure inclusion. This may include some non-levy payers, although always in a minority. The Board will be subject to annual re-election with confirmation at the AGM following recommendations from the Committee. The Board will meet quarterly. 3. The Board shall appoint a Chair. Their Chair will also act as Chair of the BID Committee. 4. The BID Committee will continue to advise on operational and service delivery issues, oversee performance measurement, and more generally act as the primary consultative and advisory body on BID services. It will continue to meet quarterly, prior to Board meetings. Minutes from each BID Committee meeting will form part of the information provided to the Board ahead of their meetings. In turn, minutes of Board meetings will be circulated to the BID Committee. 5. Provided that the BID is meeting its overall objectives and subject to full consultation with the BID Committee, it shall have the ability to vary service delivery and expenditure allocation according to the changing demands of levy payers. However, any change to the BID boundary or to the headline levy rate would require an alteration ballot. 6. The BID Committee will be made up of representatives of levy paying businesses and non-levy payers and will be elected periodically. Additional members may be co-opted, including representatives from partner organisations. The nominated representatives of Nottingham City Council and the Place Marketing Organisation for Nottingham will not be subject to re-election processes. 7. A new group representing all independents (including non-levy payers below the threshold) will be formed to recommend how the ring-fenced ‘Independent City’ budget should be spent. The group will be chaired by an appointed independent business representative, who will also represent the interests of the sector on the BID Committee. 8. Amongst the BID Committee will be the Directors of the BID Company. Between BID Committee meetings, they will act as a ‘management group’ and take specific responsibility for governance matters such as financial arrangements, contractual obligations, human resources, standards and compliance. The Board will be required to report activities and decisions to the Committee, who act as representatives on behalf of levy payers. 9. Levy paying businesses will be eligible to become Members of the BID Company. 10. The BID will file annual accounts compiled by independent accountants, audited as necessary, with Companies House. The accounts will be available to all levy payers. An annual report on activities, including finances, will be published. An annual meeting for members and levy payers will be held. 11. An Operating Agreement, which includes the council’s baseline service commitments, has been agreed with Nottingham City Council. A copy can be found at www.nottinghambid.com. 12. Notification of the intention to hold a ballot was sent to the Secretary of State on 9th February 2015.
THE BID COMMITTEE Jeff Allen (Chair) Andy Arnott Janine Bone/ Nigel Wheatley Dan Booker Jackie Brown Laura Bulcock Marie Donaghy/ Sarah Holmes Tricia Dyson Neil Fincham Suzanne Green Mark Hands
Castle Sound & Vision Primark intu Victoria Centre Patisserie Valerie TK Maxx John Lewis Partnership Barclays Bank Next The Exchange The Cornerhouse Alea Casino
Gareth Jones David Lucas Nick McDonald Shaun Ostle Steve Pashley Naomi Roberts Jennifer Spencer Adam Tamsett Nicola Tidy Julie Tippins Tom Waldron-Lynch Geoff Williams
Boots Fraser Brown Nottingham City Council Nottinghamshire Police House of Fraser Marks and Spencer Experience Nottinghamshire intu Broadmarsh Centre Nottingham City Transport DHP Group Park Plaza The Tokenhouse
V O T E
NOW F IVE MOR E Y E A R S OF IN V E ST ME N T IN N OTTINGHA M CIT Y CE N T R E 19TH JUNE 2015 TO 16TH JULY 2015
YO UR VOT E COU N TS
Office Suite, Ramada Hotel, Wollaton Street, Nottingham NG1 5FW
info@nottinghambid.com
www.nottinghambid.com