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27
Apr 2023
About 500 Harrogate firms set for ballot on whether to keep BID
Businesses in Harrogate will begin voting on June 1 on whether to continue to fund services such as street cleaning and Christmas lights.
Currently 462 town centre businesses with a rateable value above £19,000 pay a levy to Harrogate Business Improvement District.
The BID spends the money on additional services to those provided by local authorities to attract footfall into the town centre.
But its first five-year term is ending and it will cease operating if a majority of businesses vote 'no' to another five-year term.
BID chief executive Matthew Chapman at last night's event.
Last night Matthew Chapman, chief executive of the BID, launched the organisation's term two business plan at the Doubletree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel.
The plan reveals the BID is forecast to have £510,000 income a year — down on current £554,000 a year — because of a recent re-evaluation of rateable values on town centre businesses.
Mr Chapman said the BID, like many businesses, would have to "do more with less" but he maintained the organisation provided a valuable service through activities such as its street ranger Chris Ashby, street deep cleaning, Christmas lights, match-funded grants, street entertainment, targeted free parking and floral baskets and planters.
Street ranger Chris Ashby
Locally, Ripon, York, Leeds, Skipton, Ilkley, Otley, Bradford and Northallerton have bids although Knaresborough rejected one.
The business plan says:
Council to abstain in vote
However, the BID won't be able to call on the local authority to support its bid — unlike five years ago.
Harrogate Borough Council previously used its block vote for businesses it ran to vote in favour of the BID.
But North Yorkshire Council, which replaced it this month, has said it will abstain.
Asked last night how he felt about this, Mr Chapman said:
Mr Chapman added he wasn't aware of any other councils that abstained in BID votes.
The ballot will run from June 1 to 28 and the result will be announced on June 29.
Read more:
- Harrogate BID to launch campaign for second term
- Crime commissioner's office to move to Harrogate Police Station
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