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The second stage of the consultation exercise with local businesses regarding the Business Improvement District (BID) is proceeding to completion at the end of August.
Stage one saw a telemarketing campaign launched during July to ensure that all the businesses within the BID area were contacted and sent full information on the BID. Stage two, which began at the beginning of August, continues the telemarketing campaign to ensure that these businesses have received the information and to ask them to return the reply paid questionnaire by the 31st August.
There are just over 500 businesses eligible to vote in the BID Ballot due to take place in May /June 2013. These all have a rateable value above £6,000 and fit into the BID area, which covers the town centre, harbour, seafront and Preston areas.
Nigel Reed, Chairman of the BID Steering Group and a Director of Weymouth BID Ltd said: “The results so far are encouraging; the free post questionnaires are starting to come back in and the second stage of the telemarketing campaign is near to completion. I would urge all the businesses in the BID area to take part in this consultation as the results will determine what goes into the BID business plan and this is what people will vote on in the ballot. This is an opportunity for the business community to play a role in shaping the town’s future; although Weymouth & Portland Borough Council is a partner, this is a business led initiative from start to finish.”
The success of other BIDs across the UK is changing the way business communities think. Business led marketing initiatives which lead to new projects and greater footfall are a hallmark of BIDs. In a holiday destination like Weymouth, a BID could significantly help in developing new business projects and events, as well as extending the holiday season.
Brian Cooper, Chairman of the BID Marketing Sub Group said: “The London 2012 Games have handed Weymouth businesses a massive opportunity to tackle future seasonality. The sheer scale of the TV exposure for Weymouth, Portland and the World Heritage Coast will make this one of the area’s main legacies, winning gold for businesses in Weymouth. The Weymouth BID, should it get a yes vote at ballot next year, will take a leading role in capitalising on this unique situation – so we are urging businesses to be a part of it.”
Businesses are encouraged to return their questionnaires before the 31st August: businesses below the £6,000 rateable value limit or outside the BID area can go to www.weymouthbid.co.uk to find all the information they need and fill in the online questionnaire, although they won’t be eligible to vote. An open meeting of businesses will take place on 26th September at the Pavilion Ocean Room, further details to be announced.
by admin