New business plan for city centre proposed

'We would like to see the high street more vibrant and more events going on,' BID Manager Charlotte Wickins said when asked about the future of Chichester.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Oct 2016, 16:08 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:38 BST

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Chichester BID is responsible for a range of events including the Christmas lights. Picture: Tobias KeyChichester BID is responsible for a range of events including the Christmas lights. Picture: Tobias Key
Chichester BID is responsible for a range of events including the Christmas lights. Picture: Tobias Key

Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the business plan for its second term, which will be voted on by members this month.

Chichester BID is a private sector initiative used to enhance business prospects and economic activity in the city. The not-for-profit organisation is funded by an annual levy of one per cent of members’ rateable value, expected to rise to 1.25 per cent.

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This is used to fund things like the annual Christmas lights and festivities, improved safety and security through Chichester Businesses Against Crime (ChiBAC), and 100,000 maps to promote the city.

“Most city centres created BIDs because councils no longer have the budget to focus on city centre management and promotion and so businesses are doing it for themselves,” Miss Wickins said.

The money raised through the levy is spent against a business plan voted on by members.

Chichester BID has spent the last year consulting with more than 350 businesses to see what has worked well during BID1, which ends in March, and what they want to see in BID2.

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The new BID term will focus on private sector representation, working more closely with Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry to provide business opportunities to the professional services sector, and with Visit Chichester to raise Chichester’s profile at a national level.

The deadline for votes is Thursday, November 3 and the result will be announced on Friday, November 4th.

For more informtaion, visit the Chichester BID website.

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Related topics:Bids