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Overview | News | Corporate | Publications | Events Broad Street BID Set to Continue for Further Five YearsNovember 20 2009 Broad Street and Brindleyplace businesses have voted a resounding 'yes' in a ballot to decide on the renewal of the highly successful Business Improvement District (BID) initiative for the area. Results announced today showed that 94 per cent of those who voted backed the BID to continue as the driving force behind regeneration in the area for the next five years. This sets a new record for the biggest mandate achieved in a renewal ballot in the UK. The Broad Street BID was established in 2005 after an initial ballot saw 92 per cent of businesses vote for the scheme. The vote gives the go-ahead for the BID, working with Birmingham City Council and other partners, to take forward a business plan which will directly deliver over £2 million of investment to directly benefit local business over the next five years. The BID is funded by a levy collected alongside Business Rates. The BID levy will fund a range of initiatives to improve the physical environment and the experience for businesses, employees and visitors in the area with clear priorities and action for: • Further enhancement for the area, taking forward the success of the initial BIDs ‘brighter, safer, cleaner’ agenda Gary Taylor, Chairman of the Broad Street BID, said "Today’s announcement is a fantastic vote of confidence in the achievements of the BID to date and our ambitious plans for the future. It goes to prove that what we do works for the area and most importantly for the people in the area. “BIDs represent a very significant advance in how local areas are run and managed, enabling businesses to play a more central role in maintaining their local environment and developing its future. The Broad Street BID has seen much success and significantly improved the area for the good of the businesses and those that visit and enjoy the location. BID2 will see this success continue and I would like to thank the businesses for their invaluable support over the last four years”. Mike Olley, Broad Street Manager, added: “It’s very gratifying to know that the businesses that we have represented for close to five years appreciate the transformation that we have all achieved. I personally feel very touched by the positive response and solid endorsements given to us from the business community. “I know we’ve made Broad Street a better please, we talk a lot about the massive reduction in crime rates, about how we’ve made the area a lot safer, a lot cleaner and a lot brighter but to know the businesses really believe this to the extent that they put their vote behind us is terrific. The reality of course is that it is not just the BID that has made the difference, but the BID is the driver behind the family that makes Broad Street the great place that it is”. The latest ballot to renew the BID follows a review and consultation process with businesses and partners to shape future priorities. During its initial four years, the BID has delivered a range of initiatives to improve the environment and perception of the area. Initiatives to reduce crime have resulted in a fall in the level of crime of 50% by introducing street wardens and working proactively with partners to make the most of initiatives such as taxi marshalling and bringing together door supervisors with a radio system to share intelligence. The most high profile initiative introduced is the popular Walk of Stars that celebrated its 13th award to actress Julie Walters on the 27th October. The Walk of Stars has seen worldwide and UK media attention. The media value of Ozzy Osbourne’s star presentation was independently assessed at a value of £1.72million. A total of 287 voting papers went out to businesses in the area in October, and the ballot closed on Thursday 12th November.
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