Southport’s Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a manifesto that it hopes will enable the continuation and development of its work to bring investment into the town, deliver an exciting events programme and provide a voice for the business community.

BIDS have become an essential part of some of the most successful towns and cities around the UK, each operating on the basis of a five-year term.

This would be the second term for Southport’s BID, which if agreed, would run from 2019 to 2024.

As one of the largest in the country with 950 current members, the levy businesses contribute would bring around £2million across the five year term to be invested directly into the town, in addition to the investment that the BID would proactively attract into Southport.

With a board made up of local independent businesses and on-going consultation with levy-payers, the direction of the BID is always in line with what is important to the retailers, restaurateurs, attractions and accommodation providers of Southport.

Rob Uffendell, Chair of Southport BID, says, “We know that increasing footfall and expenditure is key to the businesses that we represent, that the creation of business opportunities is critical, as is securing investment opportunities for the town.

“The way that we will achieve success in these areas is through strong collaboration and partnership work, vibrant and colourful plans for our events programme and an ambitious belief in the inward investment that we can achieve.”

The launch of its manifesto also gives the opportunity to highlight some of the major achievements made since 2014, all of which have laid foundations for the coming years. These include over £250,000 investment as the sole funders of Southport’s Christmas (and all year round!) lights, funding Lord Street’s famous floral displays, and the launch of a Southport Independents Marketing Campaign, which gave vital exposure to the town’s incredible small businesses.

The BID has also worked closely with core local organisations as the voice for Southport’s businesses, including Sefton Council, Merseyside Police and Marketing Southport. Accomplishments have included the BID’s work to secure £2million from the Coast Community Fund in conjunction with Sefton Council and its on-going leadership role in a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid that focuses upon the historic properties between Lord Street and the Promenade and aims to complement the restoration of King’s Gardens.

It is also currently working on plans to submit an application to the Government’s recently launch High Street improvement fund.

The Southport BID Ballot papers will be dispatched to businesses on 6 May 2019, with the result being announced on 4 June 2019.

All Southport Businesses within the BID district with a ratable value threshold of above £7,000 will be eligible to vote.

For further information visit www.SouthportBID.com or contact the Southport BID office on 01704 538 382.