Basingstoke businesses are due to consider whether or not they would they would like to join forces with a private sector led Business Improvement District (BID) which aims to help promote the Hampshire town, boost interest in the area and improve the quality of the local environment.
Basingstoke’s Town Centre Forum is working with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council together with local businesses on proposals which will enable businesses and employers to pool resources and efforts to develop the town’s economic prospects, entice new customers to the area and enrich the experience of Basingstoke workers and residents.
Artists impression of what Basing View could look like.
A small levy is being suggested to fund additional activities in line with the requirements and requests of local businesses, such as environmental improvements, business and public events.
The BID is set to encompass Basing View and Basingstoke Town Centre, and will enable local businesses, through the payment of standard business rates, to purchase extra services over and above that which they already receive from the local council.
A preliminary feasibility study is currently underway via economic and regeneration specialists, The Means, to establish business interest.
To establish business interest, an initial feasibility study is being undertaken by economic development and regeneration specialists, The Means, which has over 20 years of experience in the development of inspirational places for people to work and live. The study came about following the Town Centre Summit meeting held in the summer last year during which Top of the Town businesses expressed an interest in moving forward with the BID idea.
Cllr Terri Reid, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, who leads the Basingstoke Town Centre Programme said:
“There are currently 187 BIDs in the UK, with more on the way so it is important to explore whether Basingstoke wants to adopt this model in the future. They have already proved hugely successful in cities such as Winchester and Chichester so I’m really looking forward to seeing the results.”
The Means will be visiting businesses in the proposed areas over the next few weeks, holding workshops to gather feedback and inviting people to complete an online survey. A Steering Group of local employers will then be established, with support from Basing View businesses and the Town Centre Forum, to discuss the finding of the study and take the appropriate measures to implement change.
The survey and further information can be found at www.basingstokebid.co.uk