Buxton mulls town centre BID plan
The Derbyshire town of Buxton could make plans to establish its own Business Improvement District (BID).
The board of Vision Buxton has announced that it has appointed place management consultants The Mosaic Partnership to carry out a feasibility study to determine whether a BID would be right for Buxton town centre.
A BID is a formal arrangement where businesses decide what improvements they would like to make to their trading environment, put it together in a detailed business plan along with how much it would cost, and what they would be prepared to pay to see it happen. This five year plan would then go to an independent vote of all businesses. If the majority vote yes then it would go ahead. There are over 250 BIDs already in place in the UK.
Vision Buxton director, Philip Barton, said: “We are excited about looking at the BID model and absolutely delighted to be working with The Mosaic Partnership. Having seen several other consultants, we felt they were the right choice with their unrivalled knowledge, extensive experience and a successful track record in this field. We feel they can help us to build on all the splendid work carried out so far, and help us realise the full potential for Buxton.”
Supporters of the BID concept include the developers of The Crescent and Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Heritage Trust. James Berresford, former Visit England chief executive and current chair of the Heritage Trust, said: “Investment into the Crescent project is significant and, without doubt, it will be transformational.
“As the Trust, however, we fully recognise the wider potential of Buxton. I and colleagues have first-hand experience of how a Business Improvement District can empower partnerships and allow a place to develop and evolve into a thriving destination for business and tourism.
“I believe Buxton has an exciting future ahead, and at the Trust we look forward to supporting this development.”
The Mosaic Partnership was originally involved in helping write the UK legislation as part of the National BIDs Pilot, and more recently has been involved in introducing BIDs in Northern Ireland and international destinations such as Singapore.
Mo Aswat, founder and director said: “We are incredibly excited to be working with Vision Buxton and to look at the potential of developing a BID.
“There are so many opportunities for a place like Buxton and we will try our best to ensure that our experience, knowledge and commitment can work with the priorities and passion that people have here to make sure the future of the town centre and its place as a destination for locals and visitors alike is prosperous and successful.”
The BID Feasibility Study work will start over the next few weeks, and businesses will be invited to put forward their views on what projects they feel will benefit Buxton town centre.
