Liverpool BID Company sets out business plan ahead of ballot

Liverpool BID (Business Improvement District) Company today launched its Business Plan ahead of the campaign for a further five-year term of the Retail & Leisure BID in the city centre.

If backed by businesses in the postal ballot later this month the BID says a further £5m will be invested into the area to improve safety and cleansing and boost footfall through events and animation.

Following consultation with its levy payers the BID has drawn up a business plan for the area, which incorporates well-known locations such as Bold Street, Cavern Quarter, Church Street, Williamson Square, Clayton Square, Queen Square, St Johns and Metquarter.

If successful in its proposal for a fourth term, running from November this year, to May 31, 2023, the BID says it will deliver a variety of services for the more than 600 BID levy payers in the Retail & Leisure BID area.

On safety it says it is continuing to work alongside Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council and levy payers to tackle anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and street dwelling to ensure the BID is a safe place to visit and work in.

This will include the ongoing funding of the BID Safety Partnership which involves a dedicated police presence to deliver a responsive policing service, enhancements to the BID Radio Link service, and further provision supporting the Evening and Night Time Economy (ENTE) levy payers and City Watch’s responsiveness.

Regarding cleansing it says it will actively work alongside Liverpool City Council in creating a cleaner district, whose environment actively encourages businesses to thrive and visitors to return. This involves the proposed introduction of three extra cleaning machines.

This will be through added investment for a dedicated on-street team to clean public and private areas, improved public realm schemes and enhancements to street lighting and green spaces.

The BID also says it will facilitate a programme of events that animate and populate the streets throughout the year – attracting local, national and international visitors, and raising the profile of the area to encourage repeat visits.

These will include, among others, Celebrating Bold Street and continued partnerships with city-region partners on seasonal and Christmas campaigns.

And addressing business support and connectivity, it says it will continue to champion the voice of its members and proactively work with its levy-paying businesses to develop employee skills and encourage high standards in customer service through its Mystery Shopping programme.

It will also continue to support the full exemption from the Late-Night Levy for its Evening and Night Time Economy (ENTE) levy payers, and improve accessibility, wayfinding and free Wi-Fi.

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, endorsed the BID, saying: “We really value our long-term partnership with the Liverpool BID Company and the role it plays in supporting and promoting the city centre economy. I urge all businesses to back the BID.”

Liverpool BID Company chief executive Bill Addy said: “Liverpool’s retail and leisure sector has transformed over the last 10 years – what with the arrival of Grosvenor’s Liverpool One, and the tourism boom following Capital of Culture. Now more than ever is it imperative that we do not lose momentum.

“As set out in the BID Business Plan, the Liverpool BID Company has a key role to play in supporting our levy payers in the rapidly changing landscape of the high street, providing additional services to support cleaner and safer streets, along with a well-promoted and animated city centre that encourage repeat visitors.

“This is now more important than ever when in this current climate difficult austerity measures have been placed upon our local authority and police service. We must all work together to improve our city.”

The Retail & Leisure BID was established in 2005 and has successfully been through three ballots. The latest postal ballot opens on May 29, until June 28.