Businesses back BIDs as deadline approaches for Hull voters
Jim Harris speaking at the HullBID ballot event at The Deep in January.
THE boss of one of Hull’s biggest retail sites is urging city centre colleagues to continue the revival of the business community by voting yes in the current HullBID ballot.
Jim Harris, manager of St Stephen’s Shopping Centre and chair of HullBID, said the work of the organisation is vital in helping the city build on the potential presented by City of Culture and the growth of the renewables sector.
He also highlighted the growth of BIDs elsewhere in the country as evidence that Hull needs to become ever more competitive to avoid losing out to rival cities and towns.
Figures released by BritishBIDs reveal that nine BIDs across the UK were successful in ballots which concluded during February. Five were in London, where Euston became the 50th BID in the capital. Swansea and Pontypridd were successful in Wales, Great Yarmouth was the most easterly BID to win a ballot and Hexham the most northerly.
When HullBID was set up in 2006 it was the first in Yorkshire. Leeds and Sheffield both launched BIDs last year and York is due to go live next month following a successful ballot last November.
Distribution of voting papers for the HullBID renewal ballot took place last month. The 780 member businesses – those with a rateable value on their premises of more than £5,000 – must return their completed forms by 5pm on Thursday 17 March to make sure their votes count. The result is likely to be declared the next day.
To continue its work HullBID must secure a simple majority of votes cast and majority rateable value of businesses that have voted. If it fails to achieve more than 50 per cent of votes and rateable value the BID, a not-for-profit organisation, will be wound up.
Businesses eligible to vote were sent a prospectus and a link to a video highlighting HullBID’s work which is funded by a levy of one per cent of rateable value. Duties include operating a radio system which gives businesses direct access to Humberside Police, the BID Support Officers and the Civic1 CCTV service.
The levy also funds a cleaning patrol which removes graffiti and gum, discarded needles and other dangerous and offensive waste. BID also works to increase footfall in the city centre with activities including HullBID Fashion Week, the Yum! Festival of Food and Drink and Hull Trinity Festival, a showcase for top local bands.
Voter turnouts during February ranged from 38 per cent in Great Yarmouth and Hexham to more than 60 per cent in some of the London boroughs. The smallest majority in favour by number was 66 per cent in Hexham and the highest 91 per cent in Waterloo. The lowest majority in favour by rateable value was 64 per cent in Swansea and the highest 94 per cent in Great Yarmouth.
Mr Harris, who became the HullBID chair in early 2013, urged voters to deliver a high turnout in Hull and to back the BID to continue the success which has seen it became a major player on the business scene.
He said: “It is important in any ballot that people use their vote. We want the businesses to vote and obviously we want them to vote for HullBID to continue its work.
“I was involved in business before I became involved in BID and I would endorse the view that HullBID is making significant and positive differences for businesses in Hull city centre. The results from ballots elsewhere in the UK show that BIDs are seen as an essential supporter of the business community. The fact that Leeds, Sheffield and York now have BIDs underlines the value of what we have in Hull.
“It takes new concepts such as BIDs a certain amount of time to gain credibility but we came through one ballot in difficult times five years ago and what we did after that was refocus our efforts and put ourselves in a position where we could work more closely with the businesses.
“There are other business groups but the difference is that the LEP, Chamber of Commerce and Bondholders have a pan-Humber remit whereas we are unashamedly Hull-centric with a particular voice, a particular role and a particular goal.
“BID is a lobby group for the businesses and provides access to such decision makers as the City Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner. That role of business conduit is unique in the city centre.
“BID has experienced organic growth during its 10 years and has been at the forefront of the improvements that the city centre has seen, from better security to the Purple Flag initiative, which has helped the city gain recognition nationally. BID has also been plugging some of the gaps created by cuts in public funding to meet the needs of the business community.”
