Start of Bid ballot a ‘significant moment’ for city

Oct 22 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

Current ideas

Introduction of a “Legible Cities” scheme in the city centre to make the city easier to navigate by visitors

Creation of more than 20 new landscaped and seated green spaces in the heart of the city, including the introduction of four park rangers

City-wide targeted marketing and advertising campaigns

Increased security on city streets, including a Newcastle Business Against Crime Business Watch Scheme, four mobile CCTV cameras, the introduction of taxi marshals at city centre taxi ranks and a bigger police presence on the streets at night

The introduction of better street cleaning in the city centre which will get rid of discarded chewing gum on roads and pavements

More events and festivals in the city centre

Concerns aired

CONCERNS have been aired by some city centre traders and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) as to the necessity of Newcastle’s proposed BID.

On Nun Street The Greenmarket Cobbler John Middleton expressed his opposition.

“We’re not happy with the levels of service we get from the council who get our rates and I’m totally opposed to having to pay further cash to another body.”

Mr Middleton said he had been waiting two years for work to be carried out on nearby drains.

Rob McCartney, who runs the nearby Maverick clothing store, also on Nun Street says he pays £8,500 a year in rates to the city council and while not totally opposed to the idea, has concerns about exactly what he would get for a further £85 a year.

“I think the rates are too high as it is and my support for the proposal will depend on what we will get for the extra money.

“There have been a lot of promises made over the years about improving the area but there are still a lot of issues that need looking at.” He cited problems with parking and pub-goers congregating on the pavements.

Colin Stratton, FSB Regional chairman for the North East is already concerned about the lack of rate relief in general for SMEs and if Newcastle becomes a BID area he fears smaller retailers are going to be pushed away from the high street and the popular areas and into more desolate areas.

He said: "The Federation of Small Businesses are concerned in the light of the Newcastle BID proposals that small businesses will not be able to find affordable and temporary office space and, furthermore, when the economy does return to full steam there will be a dearth of commercial properties on the market.

“This can only result in a slowdown in the regeneration of deprived areas and higher rents when demand begins to recover.

“Once again it seems like the Government are more than happy to contradict its commitment to delivering sustainable communities and its promise to support business.”

Bid will give businesses a say in the future direction of city

Sean Bullick, director of the Newcastle City Centre Partnership

THE proposed Business Improvement District for Newcastle City Centre is one of the biggest and most ambitious, not just in the UK, but in the world.

And so it should be for a city of Newcastle’s historic significance; arguably the original “world city”, inventing for, and exporting to, every corner of the globe throughout the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries.

Newcastle’s success then, as now, was built on the ingenuity and ambition of local business and talent. As a city, we continue to benefit from this with world-class professional services, an exceptional academic and research reputation, fantastic shops, restaurants and bars and, of course, an unrivalled ability to deliver a fabulous night out.

Despite this, there are some areas where we need to do better and others where we are actually falling behind our competitors, both national and international; a visit to Manchester, Edinburgh, and even now, Liverpool will confirm this. So how will the BID tackle these issues in practice? On an everyday level, it will deliver a cleaner, greener and more secure city centre, better marketed, signed and with more going on to attract, and hold, the visitor.

On a different level, the Bid will give business a real say in the future direction and development of the city, as it comes together over a series of issues of mutual concern: parking; licensing; road closures; policing, backed for the first time, by significant funding.

It also provides the opportunity for business to inject the necessary ambition into the many major physical redevelopments planned for the city centre: Pilgrim Street; Science Central etc, ensuring they are of international calibre and quality.

In difficult economic times the pooled, individually-small contributions from business, together with the matched funding they will attract is the most efficient way of investing in our city and ensuring that, in the short, medium and long-term, we compete with the best.

Q & A

What is the City Centre Partnership?

The City Centre Partnership is an independent, business-led private limited company based in Newcastle city centre.

Its objectives are to strengthen the economic, cultural and social diversity of the city centre.

What is a Business Improvement District?

A Bid is a company established and run by the business community to deliver services and projects according to the priorities of the business community. It raises its funds through a 1% levy on business rates and additional funding it is able to lever in.

Why do the CCP want to establish one?

They want to establish a Bid as a way of addressing the challenges the city faces and boosting it profile across the UK and Europe.

What will it do?

It aims to provide a voice for business and, through environmental and security enhancements and improved marketing, a better business environment.

How will the levy be collected and what happens to the money?

The levy has, by law, to be collected through Newcastle City Council’s business rates system.

It must however be handed over to the independent Bid company in its entirety in order that it can deliver its programme.

Will the BID be able to lever-in other funds?

The average UK BID doubles its levy revenues with matched funding, which would give the Newcastle BID £15m over five years.

What are the voting requirements?

Every eligible business in the area is entitled to vote. In order to establish the BID;

-of those who vote, at least 50% must vote yes

-and, that 50% must constitute at least 50% of the total rateable value of all those who vote.

What are the next steps?

Eligible businesses were due to receive their ballot papers today. They can be returned up to 5pm on November 20. If there is a positive vote the Bid will commence on April 1, 2009 .