Stockport BID
In 2004 the North West Development Agency (NWDA) invited a
number of local authorities to participate in a ‘Pilot Study’.
Stockport was one of the areas selected and as a result the council
received a £20,000 grant which enabled the authority to employ a
part-time BID Manager between October 2004 and December 2005 to
undertake a feasibility study into a Town Centre BID.
The feasibility study broadly covered 4 key areas:
- To identify and define a potential BID area
- To promote and canvas the views and opinions of local
businesses on the principle of a BID
- To determine the level of support for and viability of a
BID
- To assist the council in its decision on whether to proceed
with a ballot
THE FUTURE OF BID’s AT STOCKPORT
Whilst the council believes that Business Improvement Districts
remain an effective mechanism to support town centre management and
help deliver significant town centre improvements, based on the
results of the feasibility study, advice from the National BIDs
Advisory Service and evidence/feedback from other UK town &
city centres it considers that it would be inappropriate to hold a
formal BID ballot at this time. Resources are currently being
focused into partnership development with the business community
and the examination of alternative business models. To assist this
work the council is working in partnership with the Department for
Communities and Local Government on the 'Business and Town Centre
partnership project' (BTCP).
For further details contact :
Graeme Vout
Team Manager, Town Centre Management, Stockport MBC
Email: Graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk