Jewellery Quarter businesses urged to back BID for a second term

Businesses in the Jewellery Quarter are being encouraged back moves reappointing the area’s Business Improvement District for a second term.

The BID said it could deliver an additional £2.9m in investment for the area over the next five years.

Improvements to the public realm, expanding the dedicated cleaning team, boosting recycling facilities for businesses and free public Wi-Fi are among the projects the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) wants to deliver between 2017 and 2022.

The current term of office is about to come to an end and the BID is encouraging businesses to back its work and vote for a second term.

The voting is now under way and the deadline for the ballot is July 5.

In the last five years, the existing BID has invested more than £2m into the Jewellery Quarter arranging projects, events and initiatives to benefit businesses. This includes the annual Jewellery Quarter Festival, public realm improvements in St Paul’s Square and Caroline Street and participating in key city initiatives including The Big Hoot and Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival.

Luke Crane, Jewellery Quarter BID director said: “Working with Birmingham City Council and other partners, the BID has been integral to supporting and facilitating a large number of projects that have supported our aim to; regenerate the Jewellery Quarter, attract more footfall, support existing businesses and attract new investment.”

For its second term – if successful, the BID area will be expanded to reflect the natural footprint of the Jewellery Quarter as identified by the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan. This would increase the eligible BID levy-payers to approximately 700 businesses. Businesses on both sides of Great Hampton Street and the south-eastern side of Constitution Hill would benefit from the BID’s services and initiatives.

“Our second term is even more important and our proposals for the next five years incorporate the feedback received during our consultation process over the last six months. We have some exciting, bold ideas for the Jewellery Quarter and we want to expand on the projects that are so important for nurturing business growth in our community,” added Mr Crane.

Nicola Ridler, Jewellery Quarter BID Chair and property manager at The Big Peg said: “We are very fortunate to have a BID in the Jewellery Quarter. The BID not only delivers additional services to local businesses but is the single voice representing the Jewellery Quarter particularly allowing us to engage directly with partners such as the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP.”