Sheffield BID goes to ballot

SHEFFIELD BID Champions and guests marked the first day of the postal ballot for 500 businesses in the city centre to vote to create the first Business Improvement District.

Meeting at The Crucible theatre, BID Champion chairman and managing director of John Lewis, James Prince, led the pledges of support of the initiative to raise money to deliver projects that would boost the economy of the city centre.

He said: “External investors are investing in Sheffield’s city centre as they see its potential, but the changes they are making could take longer if things stay as they are and the city doesn’t do something for itself. We need to demonstrate we can all work together to make a difference and that we care enough about our city centre to invest in it ourselves. Other cities have already benefited from a BID and they are now are reaping the rewards of increased footfall and greater spend.”

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “The University of Sheffield takes a keen interest in the development of Sheffield and we are delighted to work closely with local businesses of all kinds to strengthen our city centre. The university employs 7,000 staff and has 26,000 students from across the world who want to enjoy and contribute to a vibrant city.”