We’re currently in ballot until Thursday 24th February, with the results due to be announced on 25th February.
More than 500 levy-paying businesses within the defined geographical BID area in Newbury Town Centre have the opportunity to vote on our future. The result of the ballot will determine whether our work at Newbury BID as an independent, not-for-profit Community Interest Company will continue for a further five years.
Key town centre stakeholders, West Berkshire Council (WBC) and Newbury Town Council (NTC), have both publicly announced they are in favour of a further BID term, which would ensure Newbury Town Centre benefits from over £1.2m of business investment over the next five years to improve the local trading environment.
Furthermore, West Berkshire Council’s recently published Newbury Town Centre Masterplan lists Newbury BID as a key delivery partner on several projects over the next five years, suggesting the council has confidence in a positive BID ballot result.
In addition to the support of the local authorities, we’ve also got the backing of numerous local independent and national businesses, with many claiming the BID organisation provides ‘good value’ for money, and one business stated the BID is ‘a shining beacon of hope’ for the town.
David Marklew, owner of independent store Inn at Home, said:
Inn at Home will be supporting the BID Ballot renewal. The Newbury BID team have worked tirelessly to keep our town alive and to support the small businesses that help to create the vibrancy that makes Newbury such an attractive place to visit and shop.
The BID has been our voice throughout the, at times, impossible trading conditions. They have kept us informed, gone out of their way to make us feel part of the town and have been creative in their approach to delivering compelling events. Newbury BID, well done and a huge thank you from the Innkeepers!
Lynne Doherty, Leader of West Berkshire Council, added:
The BID has done really excellent work over the years in promoting Newbury town centre as a lively and attractive destination for visitors and businesses alike. Newbury is now outperforming many other towns around the country in achieving footfall figures back to pre-Covid rates and that is testament to the hard work of the BID and all the businesses and residents involved in supporting BID events and initiatives.
In the past six months alone, we’ve enjoyed Artisan and Vegan markets, live music in the Market Place, a Food and Drink Festival, Christmas Lights Switch-On Festival and three-day Victorian Christmas Fayre! As a long-time supporter of the BID, West Berkshire Council will be voting “yes” in the ballot, and I can’t wait to see what exciting events the BID has planned for the next 5 years!
Councillor Billy Drummond, Mayor of Newbury, stated on behalf of Newbury Town Council:
Newbury Town Council support the great work of Newbury BID in promoting our town centre and the businesses who trade there. We know that without the support of the BID, our town centre would have suffered far greater losses throughout the pandemic, and we congratulate the BID on the work they do for our businesses. This was clearly evident after lockdown, as our town centre re-opened more positively and vibrantly than many others. We would also like to thank the BID for the extra sparkle and excitement which they brought to town over Christmas.
Newbury BID is committed to making Newbury a great place to live, work, visit, and do business. If you run a levy-paying business, your YES vote can help to secure five more years of funding to retain the BID team and deliver projects such as these. All the information you need about when and how to vote is available here.
Our next Victorian Christmas Fayre is already in the diary, provisionally scheduled for Friday 9th – Sunday 11th December 2022. Though if we’re unsuccessful in our upcoming BID renewal ballot for a further 5-year term, this event and many others, including the popular monthly Artisan Market, won’t go ahead.
To find out more about our Term 3 Renewal Ballot and to read the Business Plan, please click here.
