Does any one know.  Apparently Newbury might be one.

Quoted from Greenham Common

Does any one know.  Apparently Newbury might be one.

A Business Improvement District is a precisely defined geographical area within which the businesses have voted to invest collectively in local improvements to enhance their trading environment.

BIDs do not affect the level or quality of service provided by the local authority to the area. A BID is initiated, financed and led by the commercial sector, providing additional or improved services as identified and requested by local businesses, to the baseline services provided by the local authority in that area.

Thanks Brian.  On the NewburyToday site (boo hiss I know), there was some detail posted about this and for some reason it was subsequently removed.  I wondered if it was a sensitive subject.

Quoted from Greenham Common

Thanks Brian.  On the NewburyToday site (boo hiss I know), there was some detail posted about this and for some reason it was subsequently removed.  I wondered if it was a sensitive subject.

Have a look at this website for Dorchester, which has a BID: http://www.dorchesterdorset.co.uk/

Just to chip in, Spalding in Lincolnshire recently took a vote on the system and voted against it. Nearby Sleaford is a BID and it has practically killed off the town. They can work, but it really does require a group of people to really get behind it and make it work. I think the one in Spalding failed because a big chunk of the money would be used on paying somebody to run it. If it was run by the traders as a collective and all money went into events and improvement, it would be good for the town. Possibly a good way to regenerate the southern part of town, but isn't that what the traders pay their rates for?

This topic is arousing a lot of interest on the NWN forum. I will endeavor to compile some factual information on the Newbury BID to allay some of the unfounded assumptions. As usual Richard Garvie is charging in like a bull in a china shop. If anyone has any specific questions, I will do my best to answer them or find a man who can.

The reports that Newbury is thriving have stemmed from a BBC Television programme called "Inside Out", which was broadcast at 7.30pm on Monday 6th December. Unfortunately, this is no longer available on the BBC Iplayer.

Apparently there are two towns in the south defying the recession. Dorchester and Newbury.

Dorchester is thriving for two reasons.
1. It has a very successful BID in place.
2. Dorchester is picking up the trade that Weymouth is losing because of extensive roadworks.

The independent traders in Newbury haven't noticed that Newbury is thriving.

I only saw a news item linked to the Inside Out programme.  It named Newbury and Romsey as towns where there had been more shop openings than closures, Brighton and Reading were given as the opposite extremes.

I didn't get the message that Newbury was thriving, just that it was weathering the recession far more successfully than most.

Not at all Brian, I think it's just right that we know the full facts. In Plymouth, the BID system has worked very well and if Newbury is run in a similar manner, I will support it. But in so many cases, the whole project has failed from the word go, and has been used as a way to get a couple of people high paid jobs. I have some questions:

Who is paying for the research and study into the feasability of the proposed BID scheme?

Who will be appointed to run it, what is the selection process and how much will they earn?

What are the benefits to smaller traders and businesses / independents?

Will all nationals have to pay the levy? If not, why not? TESCO have already said they won't be part of any BID scheme in the UK, how many other nationals won't take part?

Just some questions to start the ball rolling, and is there a place we can see the plans?

As this is an apolitical topic, it's nothing to do with party politics or personal gain or even me steaming in like "a bull in a china shop". I just think it's right that the important questions are answered at the start of the process. If it can be done properly and benefit the town centre as a whole, great, I'm behind you all the way. Having witnessed some of these schemes being set up around the UK and knowing a little about the inner workings of such projects, it is key that the small traders are on board.

In my view, we need to be looking at CCTV, PCSO's, improved signage for visitors to the area and such like. All of which should be included in the business rates already.

Quoted from richard.garvie

In my view, we need to be looking at CCTV, ........

WBC have already sorted that one out.

Quoted from brian

WBC have already sorted that one out.

By arranging not to look at most of the CCTV.

Quoted from blackdog

By arranging not to look at most of the CCTV.

Exactly, they have confirmed that CCTV has been cut by half, with otger people telling me we may end up with as few as 25 cameras.

Quoted from richard.garvie

Exactly, they have confirmed that CCTV has been cut by half, with otger people telling me we may end up with as few as 25 cameras.

...and monitored thirty miles down the road.

Quoted from brian

...and monitored thirty miles down the road.

that isn't a problem.

Quoted from 78

that isn't a problem.

It has the potential to be a problem, but my biggest concern is the reduction in the number of cameras by half (if not more). BrianB, did you have a change to pass on my questions to the relevant people?

Quoted from 78

that isn't a problem.

Phew, that makes me feel better.

Quoted from 78

that isn't a problem.

I'm glad that is sorted then!

According to another thread, it would appear that there may well be problems with the move? These of course will be ironed out, the real issue being the severely reduced number of cameras in the town centre.

Quoted from richard.garvie

According to another thread, it would appear that there may well be problems with the move? These of course will be ironed out, the real issue being the severely reduced number of cameras in the town centre.

...and also the fact that over the years we have paid for all the cameras, controlled from a local control centre and used by the town centre bobby (PC Eyles) who was a regular visitor. His replacement no longer has that facility.

Quoted from 78

that isn't a problem.

Oh, yes it is.