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28
Oct
Ripon businesses to be balloted on whether to continue BID
Ripon firms will be balloted early next year on whether to grant a second term to the city’s business improvement district.
There are about 340 BIDs in the UK. Each one is funded by a levy paid by members to provide additional services to those undertaken by councils to increase footfall.
Every five years, businesses vote whether to grant their BID another five-year term.
Ripon BID, which was set-up in 2021 when 70 of 87 businesses voted in favour of creating it, is approaching the end of its first term. Harrogate businesses voted in favour of granting its BID a second term last year; Knaresborough businesses rejected the idea in 2021.
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, said at the organisation’s annual review meeting last night (October 27) at the Ripon Inn that its second term ballot will take place between February 11 and March 12.
She added:
Ripon BID is an organisation that consistently delivers events, promotion and business support to the benefit our businesses.
Without the BID, and your support, crucial initiatives like Visit Ripon, our main body of work, street cleaning, funded radios, premises improvement grants, floral provision, seasonal events, like trails and the pumpkin patch, just will not happen.
If you abstain from voting your voice will not be counted.
BID chair Richard Compton
About 30 people attended last night’s meeting, which heard there had been a 46% increase in city centre footfall since the BID’s inception.
The BID’s activities over the last year included the Big Sky Wheel, street cleaning, an augmented reality trail, support for Christmas lights, 80 hanging baskets, sponsoring Ripon Theatre Festival, festoon lighting in Spa Gardens and publishing 30,000 Ripon at Christmas brochures.
Festoon lighting in Spa Gardens is funded by the BID. Credit: Ben Colson Photography
The organisation generated £225,000 income last year, of which £167,000 was from levy payers.
The BID charges a two per cent levy on the rateable value. Only businesses with a rateable value above £5,000 in the BID area contribute.
The BID area, seen below, extends as far as Lightwater Valley, Grantley Hall, Markenfield Hall and Newby Hall.
A map showing the Ripon BID area.
Besides Ms Bathurst, it has two part-time staff members — communications executive Layla Martin and business liaison officer Juliet Hawkins.
After the meeting, Ms Bathurst said the organisation had “delivered meaningful improvements that make Ripon more welcoming, visible and connected”.
She added:
Our partnerships — with North Yorkshire Council, Visit North Yorkshire, Ripon City Council, Ripon Together and many others — have been instrumental in securing over £180,000 in additional funding for Ripon over the life of the BID and delivering projects like the Spa Gardens lighting and improved wayfinding.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to build on this momentum with new initiatives including a Magical Christmas Market, heritage trails and further premises improvement grants. With continued support, Ripon BID will keep driving forward a thriving, attractive and collaborative city centre.
Board member Stephen Craggs, who owns electrical retailer G Craggs, told the Stray Ferret the BID provided a “cohesive vision for businesses to get behind” and urged more traders to get involved.
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