Businesses Vote Yes to BID 2
St Ives businesses have voted ‘yes’ to a second term as a Business Improvement District (BID) with a strong mandate from its business community.
A total of 191 St Ives businesses took part in the ballot, a turnout of 60% (14% above the national average turnout for BID ballots). Of those voters, 121 were in favour, representing a 63% majority by number and 71% by rateable value.
The ballot results were far higher than in the first term demonstrating that the BID has made a big difference to the town through schemes including funding the popular Christmas lights and New Year fireworks, supporting the introduction of a CCTV system, new wayfaring signage, and annual summer seagull awareness campaigns.
The new five-year term began on June 1st and will generate approximately £127K a year to be spent on delivering projects and services in the thriving seaside town. Each of these priorities have been highlighted by the businesses as outlined in the St Ives BID Business Plan.
Alex Ward, recently elected Chair of the BID2 said: “It is fantastic that businesses have come together to recognise and support the efforts of the BID to help keep supporting St Ives to flourish and grow. This emphatic yes vote will benefit businesses, local people and visitors and we look forward to another term of exciting opportunities to promote and enhance this wonderful town.”
She added that for the next term, the BID levy has also been reduced from 2% to 1.5% in recognition of a separate recent rise in rateable value.
Steve Cross, Owner of Cross Estates on Tregenna Hill said: “Going forward, our focus will be subtly different to the first term in that we will be working more closely with partners to improve the environment of St Ives, concentrating our marketing on the off season and making sure that we promote our town as a hub for the local community and not just visitors.”
The new five-year business plan will deliver projects and services under four key themes; Town Appearance and Facilities to create a clean and welcoming town; Marketing and Events during the low and shoulder seasons to drive footfall and to enhance the profile of St Ives through a PR and Marketing Campaign; Accessibility and Security to tackle anti-social behaviour and petty crime and ensure St Ives is accessible for local people, visitors and businesses; supporting levy paying businesses and representing their interests.
Please take a look through the BID renewal information below:
Baseline – Services provided by statutory organisations within St Ives that have a correlation to the projects that the BID will deliver have been documented. The purpose of this it to ensure that St Ives BID is adding value to current service provision and supporting businesses rather than replacing or duplicating existing services.
An agreement in principle has been reached with Cornwall Council, Devon and Cornwall Police and St Ives Town Council that these baselines will be reviewed each year. Cornwall Council issues will be reported through the localism team at Cornwall Council as and when they occur. View the St Ives Town Baseline Documents.
