26 Nov It’s a YES – Halifax BID businesses celebrate positive BID result
Businesses across Halifax have voted in favour of renewing their status as a Business Improvement District (BID) – securing a significant £2.2 million to be spent on supporting businesses and working with Calderdale Council to develop Halifax even further.
This positive result follows several months of planning, in-depth interviews, surveys and a month-long ballot in which hundreds of businesses in the area were asked to vote on the proposals.
55.6% of votes cast voted in favour of the BID Renewal Ballot by total number of businesses, and 64.7% of votes cast voted in favour of the BID by Rateable Value.
As a result of the yes vote, the renewal of Halifax BID will commence on the 1st April 2022. Businesses with a rateable value of £6,000 or above will pay a levy based upon their rateable value, creating a collective fund of more than £2.2 million to spend over the next five years.
The plans were spearheaded and driven by the Board of business representatives from across the town, supported by pfbb UK, who develop and deliver Business Improvement Districts across the country.
Speaking about the ‘Yes’ vote, Leigh-Anne Stradeski CEO of Eureka! The National Children’s Museum and Chair of the BID, said:
“This is fantastic news for Halifax and a huge congratulations must go to all the businesses which rallied and joined forces to ensure we secured a yes vote in our renewal ballot. Thanks must go to all those businesses that engaged in the process by sharing their ideas and opinions on how we can work together to improve the area and who, ultimately, voted in favour of the plans to support each other in these challenging and uncertain times.
“The BID’s business plan, which businesses were being asked to vote on, has been designed to build on the work we have done to date and address the issues which came up during the lengthy consultations with many of the businesses in the BID area, from the small independent businesses to large national businesses.”
“The money will now be spent through the 3 key strategic objectives and their related activities”
The Halifax BID vision is to ‘‘Develop Halifax into a quality destination and a great place for business, leisure and culture with a profile which is recognised regionally and nationally, for being family friendly, welcoming and inclusive to all and which builds upon its heritage and looks to the future.”
The new BID’s Business Plan Objectives are:
- Objective 1 – Vibrant and Promoted – To create a vibrant Halifax town centre and develop and promote the Halifax identity and the business, cultural, leisure, and social offer locally and regionally.
- Objective 2 – Welcoming and Safe – Enable a welcoming and safe environment to increase positive visitor perceptions and of those who live and work in Halifax.
- Objective 3 – A place to grow and Invest – Encourage growth, development and investment of businesses which complement and build on the strengths of Halifax.
Leigh-Anne Stradeski, said,
“The way forward for Halifax BID is to work even more closely with Calderdale Council in representing the business interests of the town. The BID will be the voice of business by lobbying on topics which affect them ensure that the town remains relevant and flexible in an ever-changing environment.”
