If they deliver a ‘Yes’ vote (more than 50% needed) then the democratically elected, not-for-profit, independent company controlled by the businesses that fund it, would have a five year period in which to invest funds raised, manage the BID area and improve the city centre and trading environment. It would allow all business sectors - office, retail, leisure, entertainment and culture - to work with the public sector and have a greater say in making change happen.
Jeremy Symons, Director at Cooke & Arkwright who sat on the BID committee for Newport comments, “The proposal for a BID in Newport was discussed at some length with local traders before being decided upon by a vote. The vote approved the BID’s creation of ‘Now Newport’ and since then, its conception has created a number of initiatives to improve the retailing experience within Newport city centre. I believe a similar arrangement in Cardiff will have an equally positive impact.”
Extensive consultation has shown that businesses in Cardiff would want the BID to deliver on a wide range of factors affecting the city, its inhabitants, visitors and traders. They want it to:
- Focus on encouraging people to visit more often, stay longer and invest more in the city centre
- Provide cleaner, safer streets – including around major events
- Provide a ‘softer’, safer environment through more attractive displays
- Provide more focused and frequent street entertainment
- Provide more support for existing events and establishment of new events, as well as a world-class Christmas season
- Provide better publication of events
- Provide more support for independent businesses, which add to the character, charm and diversity of the city
- Forge closer links between business and universities to encourage students to stay once qualified
- Establish a strong and viable evening economy
- Make it easier to navigate around the city
- Seek national recognition
- Communicate progress
- Influence and inform decisions
- Undertake independent research to support key decisions
- Lobby the council and regional agencies
- And negotiate discounts on business costs.