Birmingham Assay Office backs Jewellery Quarter BID
KAY Alexander, chairman of the Birmingham Assay Office, is urging businesses to vote in favour of a business improvement district (BID) being introduced in the Jewellery Quarter.
The Jewellery Quarter BID, which is being led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) in partnership with Birmingham City Council, aims to attract investment, increase visitor numbers and encourage a more vibrant economy, while making the area a better place in which to work, invest and live.
More than 500 local businesses are being asked to vote to support the initiative, which will see companies with premises with a rateable value of £10,000 and above pay an annual levy of 2% to fund additional investment for the benefit of the area.
The voting ballot, which commenced this week, will run until May 24.
Alexander, a local TV news presenter who was appointed chairman of the assay office in Newhall Street in 2006, said: “In the past there hasn’t been a strong enough partnership between the Birmingham Assay Office and the Jewellery Quarter but, as chairman, I realised that it was vital to be involved with the area.
“The Quarter has the potential to be a top tourist attraction for Birmingham and the West Midlands. There is so much history and heritage to discover but people just don’t know about it.
“I think the improvements outlined in the BID Prospectus will benefit the area massively and make it a cleaner, safer and more attractive environment.
“Allocating some of the levy money for marketing of the area is particularly important as it will ensure more people get to hear about all the wonderful things you can do and visit in the area.”
