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04
Apr
Knaresborough BID to be hot topic at business meeting this weekend
Representatives from across Knaresborough’s business community will gather on Sunday evening to discuss the town’s economic future.
The meeting, which is open to all businesses in the Knaresborough district, has been called by a group that describes itself as “independent and proactive”, but whose members have not yet revealed their identities.
They aim to provide a platform to explore ways to attract further investment into the town, and one of the main items on the agenda will be the potential for creating a business improvement district (BID).
When a BID is created, town-centre traders pay an annual levy to support schemes that boost footfall. Harrogate, Ripon, York, Leeds and Skipton are among more than 400 places around the UK that have already established BIDs.
But it is a contentious issue in Knaresborough, where a previous proposal to create a BID in 2021 was voted down following an acrimonious battle between supporters and sceptics.
It is understood that Matthew Chapman, chief executive of Harrogate BID, has been invited to speak at Sunday’s event.
A spokesperson for the group that has called the meeting said:
We want to be very clear, this meeting is no way looking to force or influence a BID. The meeting will explore all options to invest into Knaresborough, hear from other groups and look to create a transparent and accountable steering group that will then look at the BID model further which could include the potential area, threshold, levy percentage, objectives through open consultation etc.
The discussions on these next steps have not yet begun or anywhere close to being decided and the whole reason for this meeting is to start that exact exploration.
But again, if at the first hurdle a BID is not feasible or supported that’s where things will stop. But from our experience, Knaresborough business owners are keen to explore again for the good of our town and we as a group see many positives in joining other North Yorkshire places with BIDs.
The meeting will be held on Sunday, April 6, 5pm, at 1858 bar and restaurant on Knaresborough High Street.
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