As you may be aware we have been reviewing the City Central BID following the vote in March. Although a majority of businesses voting were in favour, a majority by rateable value was not achieved and so the BID did not go ahead. The clear reasons for a business controlled BID investment [not a tax] in Liverpool in 2005 have become even more pressing:
- The influence of 500 businesses working collectively
can protect our interests, reducing any disruption from
the major £2bn, three year programme of developments and
transport improvements. We need this now.
- Paradise Development for 2008 next to existing city centre, retail element larger than the Trafford Centre, threat of trade deflection but a big opportunity for the BID, working with other initiatives, to benefit from increased visitors if BID area is ready to compete.
- We have secured some £1.4m of funding for the BID over the 3 years,
matching the BID levy and meaning that all levy
funds would be spent directly on new activities.
This includes over £300,000 p.a. from Liverpool City Council
[LCC] for the comprehensive BID team staffing costs which
LCC have established in advance of the BID. Whilst support
for the BID by LCC is strong, there is a real danger that
the team, and its benefits to all of us, could be lost if
we do not establish a BID during 2005.
Liverpool's City Central Business Improvement District (BID) was launched on Monday 10 November 2003.
Throughout the two year pilot stage, the City Central BID ran activities, financed through funding from the Northwest Development Agency and through voluntary contributions from businesses in the BID, to demonstrate the value of a BID.
In the run up to Christmas 2004, City Central BID delivered an integrated high quality press, radio and TV advertising combined with unique events, children's small fairground rides and the funding of 5 extra dedicated street sweepers in the BID area.
The British Retail Consortium reported a decline in retail sales in the UK during December of 0.4% on a like-for-like basis, compared with a year earlier.
Stores in the City Central BID area performed significantly better than like for like stores nationally and on average were 2.2% up in December. Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, Lewis's and both multiples and independents in the four shopping centres all reported an increase in performance compared with the previous year.
Liverpool's strong steady performance is felt to have been aided by loyal shoppers, Merseytravel's 50p return offer and, in particular, the new programme of events and media campaigns organised by Liverpool City Central BID as part of its 'pilot' activities.
Customer perception of cleaning quality as 'good' increased by +52% in February 2005 compared with February 2004.
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