Stockport is a good town! Let’s make it a great town, for everyone.
By Helen White: Marketing Stockport / supporting a BID for Stockport
“As a co-founder of Marketing Stockport, it will come as no surprise that I am the campaign to have a Business Improvement District in Stockport. Read on to find out more and take Stockport from good to great!”
What can a Business Improvement District do for Stockport?
Throughout October, businesses in the town centre will have the opportunity to vote YES for a Stockport’s Business Improvement District. Over a 5 year period, a BID can raise over £2m and generate monies to make Stockport a safer, more attractive, prosperous town centre.
Like countless towns and cities throughout the UK, Stockport faces many challenges to retain its identity as an attractive destination for residents, workers and visitors.
We already have much to be proud of: a stunning historic market place in the Old Town; we are home to one of the UK’s oldest independent family of brewers; we have an attractive array of High Street and independent shops and, centre stage sits the beautiful art deco Plaza theatre.
There are already great things happening in the town: Stockport Council are investing £1 billion by creating a fantastic new gateway to the town at the rail station and a new leisure complex of restaurants and cinema. A new transport interchange and a plan to make it easier to access the town is complementing new housing developments attracting more residents, including young professionals, into the town.
A Business Improvement District will help to make Stockport even better!
We want Stockport to become a vibrant town that has something for everyone, every day – a Business Improvement District for Stockport can make that happen.
How will a Business Improvement District – BID – help a town like Stockport?
Over the next 5 years, we have the opportunity to raise £2million that will deliver projects chosen the business owners, that will help their businesses to thrive. More events, more choice, better parking, better marketing – projects that will attract more visitors and offer a wider choice.
How is a Business Improvement District funded?
A BID is funded by a BID levy – that is 1.25% of a business’s rateable value for those businesses whose rateable value is equal to or exceeds £10,000 per annum.
When does the BID vote happen?
Until October 27th, businesses within the BID area of the town will have the chance to vote YES to make a BID happen. There are already over 200 UK towns & cities already benefiting from BID status, including Altrincham and Manchester. We want to get a YES vote to make Stockport one more.
What happens next?
Following a YES vote, BID levy payers will elect a Board of members who will ensure that requests for projects are all carefully considered, best ideas implemented and create a sustainable town, for everyone.
For more information about the BID, visit the website