Businesses in Staines-upon-Thames have voted yes to renewing the town’s Business Improvement District (BID).
Turnout in the ballot was 54% with 84% of businesses by number voting in favour and 89% in favour by rateable value size. The vote was independently managed by Civica Electoral Services.
The successful ballot means that the Visit Staines BID will remain in position until March 2027, with a projected £1.8 million of levy payers’ money being used to attract shoppers and visitors to the town centre over the next five years.
Steven Harvey, Chair of Visit Staines BID and owner of Oasis Estate Agents said “We are delighted with the strength of support shown by the result of this ballot. Businesses of all sizes have confirmed their confidence in Visit Staines BID and delivered us a strong remit to push ahead with our ambitious plans for the next five years. I would like to thank all 300 local businesses who form part of the BID and also the Visit Staines BID Board for their continued support and commitment to the town. Nominations will shortly open for the BID Board and this is an opportunity for business owners and managers to help to shape the future of Staines.”
Spelthorne Borough Council Deputy Chief Executive, Terry Collier, who also sits as the Council’s nominee on the BID’s Board, said: “It is fantastic news that businesses in Staines-upon-Thames have again voted ‘yes’ to the Business Improvement District. Since its creation the BID has delivered high quality events and initiatives to draw people into Staines-upon-Thames, made the town’s streets safer and more attractive, and acted as a voice for the town’s businesses. As we begin the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic it will play a pivotal role in securing a successful and prosperous future for the town and the Borough Council look forward to working alongside BID members for a further five years.”
Business Improvement Districts are based on the principle of charging an additional levy on all business rate payers in a defined area, following a majority vote by those ratepayers. Visit Staines BID was first established following a successful vote in 2017.
The BID operates on a levy paying system where business ratepayers who lie within the BID area and have a property with a rateable value of £15,000 or more, contribute a levy. This money is then spent on projects and initiatives to increase footfall in the town. This includes BID Rangers, hanging baskets, Christmas lights and free Wi-Fi.
It will now continue to work with the town’s business community to provide services over and above those already provided by the local authorities and set out in their new term delivery plan.
Michelle Baker, Visit Staines BID Manager worked with the Board to secure the successful BID ballots in both 2017 and 2022 and managed the BID during the 5-year term. “The positive vote today demonstrates the excellent work of the BID and the appetite from local businesses to build on this over the next 5 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working in Staines over the last 5 years and I am immensely proud of the work achieved to date, from the Open Air Cinema by the river to the installation of the digital screens on the High Street and much more”.
Michelle Baker is stepping down from the role having secured the positive mandate for a second time and the BID will now commence recruitment for a new Visit Staines BID Manager. Please check the Visit Staines website for details on how to apply.