Resounding yes vote for second Colmore BID term

COLMORE Business Improvement District (BID) will continue to a second term from April 2014 following a resounding Yes vote from businesses in Birmingham’s commercial quarter.

To secure a second BID term, yes voters needed to make up the majority of the ballot turnout by number and rateable value. Those in favour of Colmore BID made up 94% of the ballot turnout and 96% of the aggregate rateable value represented by the businesses voting.

The turnout was 61%, said to be one of the highest turnouts for a renewal BID ballot in the country.

The second five year term will see Colmore BID invest a budget of approximately £4m to continue to deliver improvement projects and services to the business quarter.

These include schemes focused on the public realm and environment, such as the enhancement of Cornwall Street and the space outside Snow Hill station.

Other priorities include improving actual and perceived safety of the area, making the district more accessible and connected and implementing events and activities.

During its first term, Colmore BID invested more than £3m on projects and services to enhance the district. These included public realm improvement projects such as the creation of Church Street Square.

It also introduced street wardens and the BID’s own police community support officer and an events programme that has included the annual CBD Food Festival, film festivals, arts markets and photographic exhibitions.

Gary Cardin, chair of Colmore BID, said: “We are delighted to have had such a positive response from our levy payers and look forward to building on the successes of our first term to continue to make a positive and valuable impact on the area.”