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27
May 2021
Ripon firms vote on whether to create Business Improvement District
The ballot to decide the future of Ripon’s proposed £800,000 Business Improvement District is underway.
BIDs have been created across the country, including in Harrogate, as a way of increasing footfall to towns and cities. Businesses pay annual levies to fund projects.
More than 280 Ripon businesses have until next Thursday to vote on whether they wish to pay a levy to fund projects to create a safer, cleaner and better promoted city centre over the next five years.
A group of city leaders have been working on the plans since 2019 and will generate £800,000 in funding over five years if they win the backing of businesses through the ballot.
They have already won the support of Harrogate Borough Council, which has agreed to lend £20,000 for start-up costs and will contribute about £30,000 over the five-year period if the BID goes ahead.
Speaking at a meeting last night, councillor Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said:
Majority required
For the BID to succeed, a simple majority of those who vote, representing more than half the total rateable value of all the properties, must be in favour.
Abacus Smarter Accountants, Specsavers, Office Ally, G Craggs Ltd and Sterne Properties are among those to have already expressed support, as well as other organisations including Ripon Community House, Ripon Museums Trust and Ripon City Council.
The results will be announced shortly after the ballot closes.
If the BID goes ahead, a limited company will be set up with 10 directors drawn from the business community to manage the funds.
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A business plan was launched earlier this year and set out the BID’s top priorities, including street cleansing and maintenance, festivals and events, car parking, toilets, landscaping and tourism.
In a statement included in the plan, Richard Compton, chairman of Ripon BID and owner of Newby Hall, said:
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