THE SOLIHULL Business Improvement Distract has secured a new five-year term representing the town centre following a successful renewal ballot of 457 member businesses.
The confidential postal ballot conducted by UK Engage closed yesterday (October 31).
For a BID ballot to be successful, the majority of those who voted must have voted in favour of the BID, both in terms of number and rateable value.
A total of 90.35 per cent voted in favour of the Solihull BID continuing, with 96.27 per cent in rateable value. The turnout was 56.89 per cent.
A Business Improvement District is a defined area where local businesses collaborate to invest in projects, services and initiatives to improve the environment in which they work. BIDs deliver additional services to those provided by the Borough Council and the West Midlands Police.
The renewal ballot is a process all BIDs must go through every five years to secure the support of the businesses they represent through a percentage levy on Business Rates.
Solihull BID was created in 2010 to help support a thriving business community around the town centre, including Mell Square, Touchwood and The Core. Its new term will begin on August 1, 2020.
The BID employs a team officers to help provide a visible and reassuring welcome to the town centre. It also provides many services across all sectors including the annual Solihull Food & Drink Festival, Solihull Jazz Festival, Solihull BID Excellence Awards, Christmas activities, BID Business Club, and the popular InSolihull magazine to help raise the profile of the town centre to visitors and investors.
Melanie Palmer, chief executive of Solihull BID, said: “The team and I are absolutely thrilled with such a resounding ‘yes’ result which gives us a clear mandate from businesses across all sizes and sectors. We are looking forward to progressing into our third term with confident, exciting ambitions for Solihull’s future.”
Kevin Johns, Solihull BID Chair, said: “This result confirms that local businesses value the work the BID is doing within the town centre and we’re delighted to see local businesses continue to vote in favour of the BID.
“Over the years the town centre has continually improved as the destination to live, shop and work and with further investment forthcoming, it’s fantastic that the BID will continue their work and ensure the town centre capitalises on the opportunity the next few years will bring.”
