Downtown Wants BID Review

Private Sector lobby group, Downtown Liverpool in Business (DLIB) have called on the city council to revise its plans to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) in the city centre.

The proposal for a Liverpool BID was recently rejected in a ballot of local businesses, and another vote is set to be organised.

However, DLIB chairman Frank McKenna is urging a review of how the project will be funded:

“We welcome the idea of a BID, that will give city centre businesses a bigger say in what happens locally. Indeed, it is an initiative we proposed twelve months ago. However, to ask businesses to pay to have a say is outrageous.

“The proposal to introduce an additional charge to the business rate for companies within the BID district is daft. These companies are being asked to provide their time, expertise and resource to make the initiative a success, and then being asked to pay for the privilege!

“Detailed consultation with local business to improve the quality of city centre life should be a given, and this extra tax is totally unacceptable.

“The council ought to bend their current mainstream budgets to deliver on the priorities identified by local business, and thank those businesses for taking time out to offer their help and guidance.

Mr. McKenna concluded:
“If the BID initiative is strapped for cash, then why not seek private sector sponsorship for clean up campaigns, or additional security. Or perhaps ring fence the car parking revenue that is raised in this part of the city to support the BID. These are more realistic and fairer ways of financing what is a good idea.”

ENDS
For further information contact Frank McKenna Tel.0151 227 1633

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