Ballot to open on ‘one-off opportunity’ for Altrincham

BUSINESSES have the chance to vote on whether to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) in the town centre of Altrincham, near Manchester.

After almost a year of consultation and debate, eligible businesses will receive their voting papers on Friday (October 9) enabling them to take part in the secret ballot. Votes will be cast over a four week period, with the ballot closing on Thursday November 5.
 
If successful, the BID will bring investment of approximately £1.4m into Altrincham over a five year period, which would be used for projects including high profile marketing, a calendar of town-centre events, joint procurement initiatives to reduce business costs and improved safety and security measures.

Full plans were outlined in the BID Business Plan, which was circulated to all eligible businesses last month.

The BID ballot comes at a time when the significant progress made in Altrincham over the past four years has been recognised by a nomination from the Great British High Street awards for ‘a vibrant town centre fighting to transform its high street’.

Martin Duff, owner of Randalls jewellers and Chair of the BID Steering Group is urging all businesses to vote in favour of the project.

“This is a one-off opportunity for the business community in Altrincham to take the lead on how town in managed, and drive improvement to benefit us all,” he said.

“There is no doubt that Altrincham is back on the up, as reflected in the fantastic news that we have been nominated for a prestigious Great British High Street award, and it just shows what can be achieved when everyone works together to achieve a shared goal.

“The BID will enable us to build on that momentum and keep the town moving firmly in the right direction.”

Pamela Macauley, owner of Vintage Angel Home & Gifts and BID Steering Group member said: “We will be voting yes to the BID. We see it as a great opportunity to develop a strong identity for Altrincham, differentiate the town as a fantastic retail and leisure destination and give the business community a powerful voice.

“An enormous amount of work has gone into consulting on and communicating the possibilities of the BID, and we won’t get this opportunity again. I hope all Altrincham businesses will make sure they use their vote and support the BID.”