BUSINESS improvement districts will receive the Government’s backing as part of its ‘localism’ agenda, a Tory Party Conference fringe meeting heard.
Bob Neill, parliamentary under secretary of state for communities and local government, also said that the business-led groups fitted in with the new coalition’s pledge to reduce red tape.
A BID is defined as a precise geographical area within which businesses invest collectively in local improvements and additional services.
These are financed through extra levies made to its local authority by occupants based on their standard business rates.
Mr Neill told delegates: “They have a part to play in the mix of a region. We are committed to getting rid of bureaucracy, that’s why we are looking at things like quangos.
“BIDs have a definite dynamic, localist identity and the localism agenda has to be encouraging dynamism and entrepreneurship with proper collaboration between local authorities and their business communities.
“We’re giving local authorities incentives to build new homes and develop new businesses. I am happy to come along and support the BID concept.”
Around 40 delegates attended the conference fringe event in Birmingham’s Mailbox which was addressing the question ‘What role can BIDS plan in preparing for the upturn?’.
Guests also heard about from leaders of the three BIDs currently operating in Birmingham city centre: Colmore Business District, Broad Street and Retail Birmingham.
The trio were asked what successful projects their BIDs had produced as examples of why they believed they were successful.
Gary Taylor, chairman of Broad Street BID which was the first ever launched in the UK in 2005, cited the Walk of Stars which had become a popular spot for visitors and the subject of many media stories.
Retail Birmingham chairman Alan Chatham said the BID had launched the Style Birmingham Live event which last month saw TV presenter George Lamb host a series of fashion and catwalks shows.
Finally, Colmore Business District chairman Gary Cardin highlighted the wealth of pubs, bars and restaurants in its area which the BID brought together for its food and drink guide.
Birmingham also has two BIDs outside the city centre in Erdington, near Sutton Coldfield, and Kings Heath in the south. These were not represented at the meeting.
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