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May 2023
Harrogate businesses to vote this week on future of BID
Businesses in Harrogate will begin voting this week on whether to continue to fund a town centre group that aims to increase footfall and boost trade.
Currently 462 town centre businesses with a rateable value above £19,000 pay a levy to Harrogate Business Improvement District.
They agreed to do so for five years after a ballot in 2018 and firms are now being asked whether to fund it for a second five-year term.
The BID spends the money on additional services, such as street cleaning and Christmas lights, to those provided by local authorities.
These planters were funded by the BID.
If businesses vote 'no', the BID will cease to exist at the end of the year.
Matthew Chapman, chief executive of the BID, launched the organisation’s term two business plan in April at the Doubletree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel.
The plan reveals the BID is forecast to have £510,000 income a year, which it would spend on activities such as its street ranger Chris Ashby, street cleaning, Christmas lights, match-funded grants, street entertainment, targeted free parking and floral baskets and planters.
Ripon, York, Leeds, Skipton, Ilkley, Otley, Bradford and Northallerton all have bids but Knaresborough rejected one.
Council to remain neutral
Five years ago, Harrogate Borough Council voted in favour of the BID when it used its block vote for businesses it ran.
But it no longer exists and North Yorkshire Council, which replaced it this month, has said it will abstain as it wants businesses to decide.
Karl Battersby, corporate director for environment at the council, resigned as a BID director on April 28.
The ballot will run from June 1 to 28 and the result will be announced on June 29.
Pic shows: Dan Siddle, the general manager of the Crown Hotel, and Primark manager Andrea Thornborrow who are the current chair and deputy chair respectively of the BID.
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