We do indeed. But the businesses should still be allowed to attend and have their say.
You make that statement as if they are not allowed into the partnership unless they make the right sort of handshake. A large number of your posts seem to present these negative statements which tend to indicate that you know what you are talking about when often, you are dealing out mis information. The chair is Liz Chandler who runs a business in Newbury, Nature's Corner. There is nothing secretive in that. The minutes of their meetings are available and you can clearly see who is involved. If you wish to discuss the TCP then I'm sure she will give you the answers you seem to need. As far as I am aware, but you need to confirm with her, membership is open to anybody who has an interest in developing the town's commercial format and in particular the shopping experience.
In answer to several earlier posts there are over 100 BIDs across the country and all have similar objectives, such as improved marketing and events, enhanced streetscene (seats, hanging baskets, xmas lights), security and town centre management. There will be no surprises in the Newbury BID objectives, but consultation with local businesses will determine what are the priorities.
Whilst the taxpayer funds the initial cost of BIDS they save overall as in most cases Council funding of town centre organisations reduces or ceases following a successful vote. This means that it is local businesses that are contributing funds to improve the town centre - and (hopefully) they will be more engaged as it is their money being spent and not taxpayers.
I would also echo brian's comments that anyone who has an interest in the town centre is very welcome to get involved.
Brian, if I wanted to go along personally I would make the approach. I know of a number of businesses who would like to attend but for whatever reason are unable to attend, and the press / media are also excluded. If the organisation is open to all businesses in the town centre, maybe the details of the next meeting can be published on their website / here and those who wish to attend may do so.
As for the bid process, this has been open and transparent. It's just the examples given so far do nothing for those in Cheap Street / Bart Street (south). It's up to the businesses who will pay the levy to decide if it's worth doing, but for those outside of the Parkway / Northbrook Street / Kennet Centre / Market Place area, it appears to deliver little benefit.
Richard, Any business can attend the Newbury Retail Association where we have been discussing this for about 1 year + you can come along as well, infact all interested parties are welcome, 2nd Tuesday every month.
What seems to happen is that everybody gets excited when these things become public, but, they have been discussed indepth for a long time not in private meeting but in meeting that most interested parties can not be bothered to attend. Looking forward to seeing you.
Ps. To Spartacus, I have used the name "I am Spartacus" as a nod to the film, I had hoped that others would then jump in and say "no I am Spartacus" etc. It has not happened, therefore happy change my name if it annoys you.
Richard, Any business can attend the Newbury Retail Association where we have been discussing this for about 1 year + you can come along as well, infact all interested parties are welcome, 2nd Tuesday every month.
What seems to happen is that everybody gets excited when these things become public, but, they have been discussed indepth for a long time not in private meeting but in meeting that most interested parties can not be bothered to attend. Looking forward to seeing you.
Ps. To Spartacus, I have used the name "I am Spartacus" as a nod to the film, I had hoped that others would then jump in and say "no I am Spartacus" etc. It has not happened, therefore happy change my name if it annoys you.
I do my best to attend all NRA meeting, although I missed the one at the town hall and the one prior to that. Brian made the point that the TCP meetings are open to all. As far as I am aware that is not the case. Oh, and nobody is getting excited about the bid. That is the problem. If it is going to go ahead, people need to be excited about it, rather than apathetic. A number of people on here are merely echoing the views of many business owners in town, and that is there appears to be no real plan for what the money would be used for (that isn't already provided) and that most of it will simply be eaten up by salaries and marketing.
That is fine if that is the stated intention, but the reason those around the edges of the BID are getting worried is that they are unlikely to see any real benefit.
Richard, I can see your point with regard to businesses on the fringes of the BID area, although the actual area as far as I am aware has not been finalised yet. The BID cannot cover every square inch of the town so some people will be dissapointed initially - but if the BID can deliever real improvements that attract more new customers and retain more of our current customers then everyone will benefit.
I for one hope that a good proportion of the income does go on marketing (including events) as Newbury needs to shout louder about the attractions of the town as opposed to the neighbouring competition.
Salaries and costs to administer the BID will have to be closely monitored by the BID committe as this is always a contentious area.
Richard, I can see your point with regard to businesses on the fringes of the BID area, although the actual area as far as I am aware has not been finalised yet. The BID cannot cover every square inch of the town so some people will be dissapointed initially - but if the BID can deliever real improvements that attract more new customers and retain more of our current customers then everyone will benefit.
I for one hope that a good proportion of the income does go on marketing (including events) as Newbury needs to shout louder about the attractions of the town as opposed to the neighbouring competition.
Salaries and costs to administer the BID will have to be closely monitored by the BID committe as this is always a contentious area.
Let's see what the BID team put forward, hopefully they can pull a rabbit out of a hat and save the situation. My own view is that if we are to have a bid, the zone should be the Kennet Centre, Market Place, Northbrook Street and Parkway only.
Let's see what the BID team put forward, hopefully they can pull a rabbit out of a hat and save the situation. My own view is that if we are to have a bid, the zone should be the Kennet Centre, Market Place, Northbrook Street and Parkway only.
So Cheap Street should be excluded! I thought you wanted to encourage people to use this area!
So Cheap Street should be excluded! I thought you wanted to encourage people to use this area!
Exactly. By taxing the businesses more, how does that keep them trading when they will see little or no additional benefits from the increased rates???
Exactly. By taxing the businesses more, how does that keep them trading when they will see little or no additional benefits from the increased rates???
It's not increased rates though - it is to market the town. Perhaps the marketing should suggest ways of avoiding Cheap Street!!
Alternatively they could contribute and advertise the fact that they are there - something that many visitors might not know.
Let's see what the BID team put forward, hopefully they can pull a rabbit out of a hat and save the situation. My own view is that if we are to have a bid, the zone should be the Kennet Centre, Market Place, Northbrook Street and Parkway only.
Make up your mind.
You are really just full of wind and piss really, aren't you? - but obviously like the sound of your own voice!!
It's not increased rates though - it is to market the town. Perhaps the marketing should suggest ways of avoiding Cheap Street!!
Alternatively they could contribute and advertise the fact that they are there - something that many visitors might not know.
It will be an increase in business rates, that is what the BID ultimately is. Yes, the businesses should advertise, but do you think ay generic adverts on TV / Radio / print about shopping in Newbury will ultimately lead to somebody shopping at Banjo Cycles for instance?
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