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Aug 2020

Last Updated: 13/08/2020

Knaresborough

Plans for a Knaresborough BID take a step forward

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 13 Aug, 2020

The group hoping to form a Knaresborough BID is moving ahead despite the pandemic to complete its business plan by the end of this year. The BID aims to offer further support for town centre businesses.

The number of empty shop fronts has decreased in the town, improving its aesthetic and encouraging more visitors to the town.

A group hoping to form the Knaresborough Business Improvement District (BID) is developing a business plan before moving into the campaign phase next year.

The group has its task force in place and now wants to engage more local businesses.

It has employed consultants to speak to businesses within the town in order to gain support for a ballot in March.

BID organisations work with funds collected from businesses - this is an additional levy to business rates. Knaresborough's BID will use a band structure based on the rateable value of each business to determine how much they contribute.

Treasurer of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and BID representative, Bill Taylor, said:

"We've now got around two thirds of the money we need for the project. We currently have around 30 businesses who are supportive and we need approximately 100 businesses to support us to gain a majority.

"The business plan is based on needs of business but we want them to add to it - we want to give them the platform to express their opinions. Undersold and unknown were two of the words highlighted in a survey of Knaresborough businesses last year and we want to change that. We want to improve the public view of Knaresborough to increase visitors and then encourage business."

Common themes adopted by BIDs include improving marketing, further support for businesses, support for visitors to boost trade and accessibility and sustainability within the town. All of these are being discussed by Knaresborough BID.

Council leader steps down from Harrogate BID.

Criticism over the influence of Harrogate council in the BID is increased as four board members resign.

Harrogate Borough Council has offered its support to the BID, and will be a large contributor. The BID also hopes to work closely with the Knaresborough Chamber of Trade.

Harrogate BID has faced criticism this year - four board members including the chair stepped down stating there was undue influence by the council. More recently the council leader Richard Cooper also stood down.

BIDs across the country can encounter issues when trying to find a common ground for the objectives within its business plan. Bill Taylor says Knaresborough's size is an advantage:

"We have to be careful of getting fractured and disjointed which due to our small size we're hoping to avoid."

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Plans for a Knaresborough BID take a step forward

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