Blackpool businesses vote to continue BID scheme for town centre

The scheme which aims to promote the town centre and businesses and make it a better place for visitors will now carry on after a majority of businesses voted for the BID renewal proposal.

Towns which a Business Improvement District (BID) give businesses a greater say in how the town is managed and the arrangement is put to the vote every five years.

The outcome of the 28 day ballot period saw a majority of businesses voting for the BID renewal proposal.

There was a 34 per cent turnout with a 94 per cent vote in favour, representing 97.55 per cent of the rateable value of votes cast.

All businesses in the BID area with a rateable value of £10,000 or above had the chance to vote.

BID bosses said despite Covid-19 resulting in lockdowns the number of votes cast held strong. The result of this ballot will see a direct investment from the Town Centre businesses of over £2.5m from April 1 to March 31, 2026.

The positive result follows 18 months of planning, completion of in-depth questionnaires and face to face business liaisons visits with members. The BID’s business plan, which businesses were being asked to vote on, had been designed to address the priorities for the next five years analysing questionnaires from small independent to large national businesses.

Its aim is to promote Blackpool as a safe, clean place to do business, work, visit, shop and dine.

Ryan Skyrme, operations manager said: “The result couldn’t have come at a better time given the Governments announcement of a four step road map to recovery for the businesses.”

Michael Williams chairman of Blackpool Town Centre BID Board said: “This is welcome news for Blackpool Town Centre BID and the dedicated team of employees, and I am delighted with the strength of support shown by the result of this ballot.

"Businesses of all sizes have confirmed their confidence in the Town Centre BID, which provides us with the opportunity to build further relationships with our new and existing members.

"This result has given us a strong mandate to push ahead with our ambitious plans for the next five years as we all navigate our way out of the Coronavirus pandemic. We need businesses to be successful and the continuation of the BID in its vital role is now even more important.

"We will also continue to support businesses through the lifting of lockdown, helping them prepare for reopening”.

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