VOTE BEGINS

Vote Begins to Renew Bournemouth’s Two BIDs

With the renewal vote now open, Bournemouth’s Town Centre and Coastal Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are urging businesses to vote ‘Yes’ before 1 June.

Following five successful years, both the Town Centre and Coastal Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are up for renewal. Right now, they are asking eligible businesses across Bournemouth to collectively invest in future projects and services which will improve their trading environment and local area.

With BID ballot papers posted and received, levy-paying businesses must vote ‘YES’ to renew the BIDs and enable investments across Bournemouth. Businesses have until 1 June 2017 to cast their votes. First established in 2012, both the Town Centre BID and Coastal BID require separate ‘Yes’ majorities to continue for the next five years.

Having already invested over £6 million towards raising the profile of Bournemouth, both BIDs have extensive plans to enhance the area as a shopping, leisure and tourist destination. In the next five years, the BIDs would create new opportunities for local businesses to thrive by investing more in communities and providing more business support. They also plan to attract more visitors, especially off-season, and to extend marketing initiatives that highlight Bournemouth’s first-class tourism offering. Both BIDs will include the office sector as part of their plans for the first time too in recognition of Bournemouth’s growing reputation as an important business location.

To be re-elected, two conditions must be met for each BID:

• More than 50% of businesses that vote, need to vote in favour of the BIDs
• Of the businesses that vote, those voting Yes must represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of all votes cast.

A positive voting outcome will allow the BIDs to pursue their objectives and programmes until 2022. It will also ensure that Bournemouth continues to grow as a vibrant, attractive, eventful, connected, safe and successful environment in which businesses can thrive. The BIDs are independent, not-for-profit companies with boards of directors made up of and elected by representatives from the businesses present in each BID area.

Martin Davies, Partner with Rawlins Davy Solicitors and Chairman of the Town Centre BID, said:

“I am proud that over our first five years the Town Centre BID has made a significant contribution to the success of the town centre. Businesses now have the opportunity to decide the future of the entire area by voting ‘Yes’ during the renewal vote. This will guarantee massive investments over the next five years.’’