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Do you want to see a BID in Bognor Regis?

Do you want to see a BID in Bognor Regis?

 

Bognor Regis Town Centre Manager Toyubur Rahman, is taking the first steps to creating a Business Improvement District (BID) in the seaside town.

Businesses working together to combat the challenging economy, the development of online trading, a reduction nationally of public sector funding and growing competition from nearby has led to a BID in Bognor Regis being considered.

Toyubur Rahman, said: “BIDs are owned and driven by town centre businesses and what they deliver is up to businesses to decide.

“They are designed to improve the economic performance of an area and can help to increase footfall and improve the overall perception of the town centre.

“BIDs can create significant sums of investment in an area and participating businesses use the money they gather through a small levy on top of the Business Rates to pay for improvements to benefit these businesses.

“These can include such items as improved public realm, Christmas lighting, events, security, town marketing and loyalty schemes which all provide a better environment and attraction for shoppers, employees and business visitors.”  

There are plenty of opportunities for businesses to be involved in the BID: being a BID board member; responding to a survey or public consultation; learning more about the BID and explaining it to friends and business contacts and submitting ideas on how BID funds could be spent.

A working group with local organisations will be set up to develop the BID concept if sufficient support is received from the survey.

Councillor Mrs Gillian Brown, Leader of Arun District Council and Cabinet Member for Council Strategy, said: “I am delighted to see both large and small businesses are choosing Bognor Regis as a place to locate to.

“The benefits of becoming a BID will see businesses having a say on how money is spent, giving everyone a stake in Bognor Regis’ success.”

Businesses can share their views on the BID by completing a short online survey by visiting the survey website

The deadline for comments is Friday, July 15.

For more information or to meet with Toyubur Rahman please email T.Rahman@chi.ac.uk or call 07467145922.