BID to raise Johnsonville profile

By Frank Neill

Johnsonville is about to become a Business Improvement District –known as a BID.

A meeting was held yesterday evening (at 5:30pm on 25 January) to establish the board of the new Johnsonville BID, which will then be in operation in July.

BIDs are partnerships between the council – in the case of the capital, the Wellington City Council (WCC) –and the local business community.

The Johnsonville BID is the seventh to be established in Wellington.

The aim is to develop projects and services that benefit the trading environment of the business centre in ways that also aligns with WCC objectives.

The move to establish a Johnsonville BID came after businesses and commercial property owners in the suburb were consulted about whether they wanted one.

This resulted in overwhelming support, where “89% of return votes said they wanted a BID,” said Mark Kirk-Burnnand, owner of Property Logic in Johnsonville.

“This shows that there is more support than any other area of Wellington for having a BID and for progress,” he said.

“As part of establishing the BID, we have developed a strategic plan which is a result of consultation with business and commercial property owners.

“There is a lot of potential in Johnsonville.

“Johnsonville should be the top metropolitan centre in Wellington.”

The establishment of a BID “is momentum and progress for Johnsonville,” Mr Kirk-Burnnand said.

BIDs are supported by a targeted rate, levied on and collected from non-residential properties within a defined boundary.

The BID programme brings local businesses and other stakeholders together to improve the strength of local communities to create sociable, safe and accessible destinations.

BIDs support their local areas and help raise a town or city’s profile.

As enablers of events and projects BIDs are well positioned to create opportunities that encourage higher foot traffic and build brand awareness.

These programmes create a real buzz and positive image for their district. They strategise new ways to attract more visitors which will, in turn support the area’s economy.

BIDs often lead environmental and sustainability practices, making the location more attractive to visitors that can help drive repeat visits.

Furthermore, development and vitalisation projects have a better chance of getting under way if driven by BIDs and can ensure businesses are better equipped to capitalise from these projects.