BID company takes off for small town up and running

THE newly-formed Altrincham BID (Business Improvement District) in Greater Manchester has launched after several months of behind the scenes activity.

It follows 18 months of consultation, a five-week ballot and a strong yes vote with businesses in town centre voting resoundingly in favour of the concept.

Members of the original BID Steering Group, with assistance from the team at Heart of Manchester BID, have been hard at work setting up the new Altrincham BID Company.
 
Representatives from a range of business sectors across the town have come together to form an interim BID Board supported by two interim advisory groups, which will develop projects within the specific areas of marketing and events and business and finance.

Over the next five years, Altrincham BID will have a fund of approximately £1.4m to spend on improving Altrincham for businesses, investors, workers, visitors and residents.

The new BID Company will be based at 17 The Downs, in offices above estate agency Jameson & Partners, and will initially have one full-time member of staff, plus part-time support.

Martin Duff, Chair of the interim BID board and owner of Randalls Jewellery said: “The beauty of the BID is that it will be run by people who experience Altrincham on a daily basis and understand the town’s challenges, but also its huge potential.
 
“We have a genuine vested interest in driving improvement in the town and as owners and employees of Altrincham-based businesses we are extremely excited to have the opportunity to start work on initiatives that will have a tangible benefit in Altrincham.”

Charlotte Atkinson, chair of the marketing and events advisory group and Boots Store Manager said: “Marketing and events is one of the areas where the BID will have real impact in raising Altrincham’s profile both locally and regionally, and increasing footfall to the town centre.

“We have a committed group of people who are full of great ideas about how to achieve this, and our first job will be to identify priority projects for year one that will attract more visitors, and give them reasons to keep coming back to Altrincham.”