Businesses in Liverpool have backed a £5m masterplan to make the city centre safer and cleaner.

Liverpool BID Company secured a resounding 66% yes vote on the month-long postal ballot from its BID levy payers for a further term of the Retail & Leisure BID in the city centre, which incorporates well-known areas such as Bold Street, Cavern Quarter, Church Street, Williamson Square, Clayton Square, Queen Square, St Johns and Metquarter. The BID now includes new areas such as Renshaw Street, Victoria Street and the Bluecoat.

Set up in 2005, the Retail & Leisure BID, formerly City Central BID, will continue working for a fourth term, from November 1, 2018 – May 31, 2023, with the Liverpool BID Company delivering on the business plan to improve safety and cleansing and boost footfall through events and animation in the city centre.

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said:

“We have one of the best BIDs in the country and it is fantastic news to hear that businesses have recognised the huge role Liverpool BID Company plays in supporting and promoting the city centre economy by voting yes for another term of Retail & Leisure BID. I look forward to working with Liverpool BID Company in our shared vision to enhance the city centre’s reputation as a great place to work, visit and live.”

Ian Strettle, centre manager at Clayton Square and chair of Retail & Leisure BID, said:

“This is a fantastic vote of confidence from our levy payers in the retail and leisure community for the work Liverpool BID Company has done over the past 13 years and for our ambitions for the next term. We will now begin to roll out our business plan, working with our partners at Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and the private sector, to make the city centre a safer, cleaner and more thriving place.”

Jennina O’Neill, centre manager at Metquarter and deputy chair of Retail & Leisure BID, said:

“This is not only a brilliant result for businesses in the city centre, but for customers and visitors who frequent our shops, restaurants and bars. We’re now in a strong position to drive the city centre forward together with the support of the Liverpool BID Company.”

Bill Addy, chief executive, Liverpool BID Company, commented:

“We always listen to our levy payers, and never take their vote for granted. We are delighted that they have voted yes for another term of the Retail & Leisure BID and promise to deliver on the business plan we set out – representing a £5m investment to support their trading environment. We have a big job to do and now we are going to get on and do it.

“A thriving city economy relies on the success of its high street. We will continue to play a key role in supporting our levy payers in this rapidly changing sector, providing additional services to create cleaner and safer streets, along with a well promoted and animated city centre that encourages visitors to return time and again. In this current climate where austerity measures have been placed upon our local authority and police service – it is more important than ever that we all work together for the future growth of our city.”

After the successful ballot among its levy payers, the Liverpool BID Company will be able to deliver the business plan for Retail & Leisure BID, focusing on the following:

Safety

  • Continuing to work alongside Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council and levy payers to tackle anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and street dwelling to ensure the BID is a safe place to visit and work in. This will include the ongoing funding of the BID Safety Partnership which involves a dedicated police presence to deliver a responsive policing service, enhancements to the BID Radio Link service, and further provision supporting the Evening and Night Time Economy (ENTE) levy payers and City Watch’s responsiveness.

 

Cleansing

  • Actively work alongside Liverpool City Council in creating a cleaner district, whose environment actively encourages businesses to thrive and visitors to return. This will be through added investment for a dedicated on-street team in addition to the city’s baseline in a coordinated manner; improved public realm schemes and enhancements to street lighting and green spaces.

 

Animation and marketing

  • Facilitate a programme of events that animate and populate the streets throughout the year – attracting local, national and international visitors, and raising the profile of the area to encourage repeat visits. These will include, among others, Celebrating Bold Street and continued partnerships with city-region partners on seasonal and Christmas campaigns.

 

Business support and connectivity

  • Continue to champion the voice of its levy payers. Proactively work to develop employee skills and encourage high standards in customer service through its Mystery Shop programme. Continue to support the full exemption from the Late Night Levy for its Evening and Night Time Economy (ENTE) levy payers. And improve accessibility, wayfinding and free Wi-Fi.

 

For more information about Liverpool BID Company’s business plan for Retail & Leisure BID, please visit http://www.liverpoolbidcompany.com/ballot

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