BID secures five more years with ‘incredible endorsement’
Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) secured an overall ‘Yes’ vote for a second five-year term.
The Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID received a 93.9% majority of participating voters and by aggregate rateable value of 96.34%.
BID CEO Richard Buxton said: “This is an incredible endorsement for the work that Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID does for our businesses!
“No-one denies that our High Street is under massive pressure, but my team and our directors have worked tirelessly to improve our City Centre for those who do business, work, visit and live here.
“Over the next five years we will redouble our efforts in delivering a business plan for the benefit of all.”
BID chairman Jonathan Bellamy added: “With 94% in favour of keeping the BID running for a second term, it clearly shows that those businesses who voted know the vital importance and value of having a BID working on their behalf – to get things done, and also to lobby and advocate for the interests and wellbeing of this central core to our local economy and shared heritage.
“In truth, like overfishing or deforestation, so many forces both local and national have raided or not stood up for the high street over decades. Our city centre deserves much better than this! It should be a thriving shared space that we are all proud of; we shouldn’t complacently allow it to decline.
“I know this BID had a good first five years. We laid a foundation of action, we’ve developed fresh vision, and after five years living and breathing this city centre we know it better than anyone else. We are ready to go for another five years. We will be louder and more proactive than ever on behalf of our city centre. Whether its local businesses, local authority or local people, only together we can make the beating heart of this community strong once again. I hope you will share in this with us.”
