Businesses will discuss final plans for £1.3m BID dream
FINAL details of plans to inject at least £1.3million over five years directly into the heart of Torquay town centre will be outlined to business people tomorrow.
Torbay Town Centres Company is to present proposals for Torquay to become the first Business Improvement District in the Bay at a meeting at the Imperial Hotel, Torquay.
Following the huge success of the Plymouth BID, the company is looking to roll out this initiative across the town centres of Torbay.
Torquay businesses will decide in March if they want to support the BID via the ballot box following lengthy consultations on what they want from it.
The business plan outlines the four key priority areas to be tackled through the plan by increased spending in areas which are in addition to services already delivered by the council and police.
They include increased marketing, town centre events and Christmas lights for the whole town centre, coordinated and additional policing and security, chewing gum removal and dressing up empty shop windows as well as the opportunity for businesses in the town to influence how Torquay town centre develops and is managed.
Annie Roberts, Hoopers store manager, said: "The BID is an extremely valuable tool for the businesses of Torquay. It will enable us to decide and prioritise the needs of our town centre.
"Torquay needs to attract more quality retail. The BID will help us to achieve this."
If Torquay businesses vote yes, they will contribute 1.5 per cent of their rateable value (based on 2005 values) per year as a statutory levy for the next five years.
The Torbay Town Centres Company will be accountable for delivering all the initiatives set out in the BID business plan.
Neil Scott, from the Truro BID, will be at tomorrow's meeting where he will outline his city's scheme and what it has done to raise the profile and improve the prosperity of Truro.
The meeting starts at 6pm and is open to anyone, but book a place by telephoning Torbay Town Centres Company on 01803 212270 or email torbaytowncentres@btconnect.com
Comments
by richard, torquay
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 10:00AM
“PAIGNTON NEXT PLEASE.
Paignton has been patiently waiting for its turn to get involved with its own bid. I feel sure that paignton businesses will have lots of good ideas to revitalise their town to benefit the whole bay”