NORTHAMPTON
TOWN CENTRE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
This is the proposal to create a
Business Improvement District
which would mean more Promotion
for your business, improvements in
the Management of your town
centre & good Value for Money.
NORTHAMPTON BID PROPOSAL 2011 TO 2015
“
6 Reasons to
support a BID
The BID is set up by business for the
benefit of business
All businesses will pay a small sum into
a ringfenced fund to spend locally
Collective investment will enable cost
savings to individual businesses
All projects will be additional to
existing public services
The BID will be governed by a local
business board
A real business voice will be created
to influence change
”
The purpose of this Proposal is to:
• Outline the need for a town centre BID in Northampton
• Describe the projects and services to be delivered by
the BID
• Show the Northampton town centre BID area
• Explain the management arrangements, finances and
the BID voting arrangements
2
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Welcome to the Proposal for
NORTHAMPTON
TOWN CENTRE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
We have consulted businesses over recent months and have incorporated your
views into this Proposal that outlines a five year programme of improvements to
Northampton Town Centre through a Business Improvement District (BID).
A BID is a business-led initiative that gives businesses the power to manage and
improve their own operating environment so it directly benefits their business, their
employees, clients and customers. Together, businesses identify projects and services
BUSINESS
they
consider areIMPROVEMENT
needed to add value toDISTRICT
existing services and agree, through a formal
ballot process, to a level of investment to ensure the delivery of these projects. There
are currently 104 BIDs around the UK, of which 64 are in town and city centres.
TOWN CENTRE
BIDs are designed to suit the needs of businesses in a local area and provide an
opportunity to focus on:
• Improving the trading conditions for businesses;
• Increasing the competitiveness of the local area; and
• Reducing the operating costs for businesses.
From 1st to 28th October 2010 you will be asked to vote on this proposal. If the
majority of businesses support the proposal then a Business Improvement District will
be established in Northampton town centre and will commence on 1st January 2011.
“
The Northampton BID will support
and promote our town centre with
positive improvements, events and
marketing. The key to economic
success is creating a better
experience for our visitors,
customers and employees.
STEPHEN CHOWN, CHOWN COMMERCIAL
BID STEERING GROUP CHAIR
”
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
“
The BID is an opportunity for town
centre businesses to gain a collective
benefit, to see improvements within
the immediate vicinity of their
business and to gain buying power
with issues such as waste
management and business
insurance.
NEIL BARTHOLOMEY, PUBWATCH
BID STEERING GROUP VICE CHAIR
”
3
Why do we need
a BID in Northampton?
Northampton has a lot of to be proud of....
But it also has opportunities that it could capitalise on ......
• The largest town and commercial/business centre in the county and the 4th largest in
the East Midlands
• A growing diverse population and increasing commuter footfall with varied
expectations and requirements for social, recreational and commercial services
• As a long established county town and commercial centre, Northampton has a rich
and interesting social, architectural and commercial heritage
• What is needed is a catalyst that stimulates the regeneration of Northampton’s town
centre
“
BIDs are proving to be of significant
benefit to town and city centres across
the country and their positive impact is
borne out in the 100% track record of
renewal ballots.
BRITISH BIDS 2010
“
”
Northampton is a town with a great
history and we are strongly
supporting local businesses in every
way we can to make sure that it has
a vibrant future as a commercial
centre. We have a great example of a
successful BID in Brackmills and it’s
encouraging to see the level of
enthusiasm that has already been
generated among town centre
businesses. This is their chance to
grab the initiative and really get
involved in delivering the
improvements in the town centre
that we all want to see.
CLLR BRIAN HOARE, LEADER OF NBC
CHAIR OF THE TOWN CENTRE PARTNERSHIP
4
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
”
Northampton
Town Centre
The Town Centre Partnership has supported and/or been an active partner in
delivering the following projects.
• Northampton in Bloom
• Pride of Northampton
• Market Square Events
• Market Square Lighting Project
• Market Square Fountain and Gateway
• Christmas Lights and Campaign
• Introduction of a Community Toilet Scheme
• Work to utilise empty shops for community
projects
As a result of the various events and
improvements in the town centre,
footfall figures show an increase of
around 15% in the period April July 2010 in comparison
with 2009 figures.
In the future the BID
will play a major
role in the
ongoing
improvements
of the town
centre.
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
5
%
Consultation
We consulted local businesses in a number of ways over recent months to develop this BID
Proposal.
• BID breakfast briefing attended by many local businesses (Spring 2010)
• Business consultation questionnaire hand delivered to all businesses in the BID area
with 50% response rate (Spring 2010)
• Consultation summary produced and distributed to all businesses within the BID area
(late Spring 2010)
• BID Steering Group set up and ongoing meetings (Spring/Summer 2010)
• One to one consultation and BID campaign (Summer 2010)
You told us you wanted to see....
Management
Uniformed Officers 68%
“
It is important that the Town
Centre works together to bring in
the public. This is a real opportunity
Events
Festivals
toand
seize
the75%
collective power of all
business within the BID to make
Directional
Signageimprovements
43%
dramatic
from the
street
scene,
events
and
the
profile
of80%
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
the town centre enabling and
promoting greater public interest
and footfall.
Managing Chuggers 41%
Council Contract Monitoring 51%
Dedicated Cleaning Team 44%
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Promotion
RICHARD CLINTON
ROYAL ANDGreen
DERNGATE
THEATRE
Initiatives
56%
Events and Festivals 75%
Business Networking 41%
Directional Signage 43%
70%
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Value for Money
Green Initiatives 56%
Business Networking 41%
0
80%
6
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
”
60%
Management
Proposed spend
£170,000 p.a.
To improve the daily management of the town centre including cleanliness,
safety and general ambience.
Clean-up
To make a very visible difference to the town centre by deep-cleaning including
hot-washing pavements, cleaning and re-painting street furniture, and replacing old
and damaged litter bins.
Town Centre Hosts
A highly visible uniformed presence to enhance the
experience for visitors and to manage and deter
unwanted on-street activity.
Vacant Shop Window Displays
Brightening up vacant units by measures such as
designing and providing vinyl cover-ups for windows
focused on cleaning up unsightly locations whilst also
promoting town centre activities.
Retail Crime Initiative
Addressing the perception of crime and anti-social behaviour by assisting and
enhancing the existing initiative by providing a 50% discount for all NRCI members
paying the BID levy in year 1 of the BID.
Town Centre Improvements
Longer term enhancements to the public realm including lighting, cleaning and seating.
“
From our experience to date, IBRF
members consider that BIDs are quickly
becoming a "must have" as a means of
delivering added value to the business
environment.
INTER BANK RATING FORUM 2009
”
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
“
As a business, we are always looking
for economies and the opportunity
to make efficiency savings by having
joint purchasing power with other
local businesses in the BID area
would be a really big plus.
PATRICIA KEMPSON
HEWITSONS
”
7
Promotion
Proposed spend
£100,000 p.a.
To make the best of Northampton by raising its profile through coordinated
marketing and promotion efforts.
Branding and Marketing
Providing a coordinated approach to branding and marketing for both daytime and
evening through advertising, marketing literature and special promotions; thereby
reducing the costs to individual businesses and adding a ‘wow’ factor to the town
centre.
PR
Devising a town centre communications plan for the BID to actively work
with the media to increase positive coverage and raise awareness of
events and activities.
Events
Making the best of events in the town centre by raising the profile of
existing activities and organising new events to attract visitors to the
town centre.
Wayfinding and Signage
Providing innovative signage to the town centre including the main gateway locations
to help navigate in and around the centre for pedestrians and from car parks.
Value for Money
Proposed spend
£20,000 p.a.
To act as the strong and influential voice for businesses to develop and procure
services to deliver cost savings and carbon savings.
Collective Procurement Initiative
The aim of the Value for Money element of the BID
is to create a return on the levy-payer’s investment
by developing a range of collective procurement
projects including insurance, utilities and waste
management, stationery and printing. This will
reduce the net cost to the levy-payers.
“
The BID has a two pronged
approach on value for money, with
the opportunity to increase takings
and the chance to reduce overheads;
both of which businesses are
constantly striving to achieve.
JOHN GAMMIDGE
GAMMIDGE GROUP
8
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
”
BID Area
If successful at ballot, the BID for Northampton town centre would
run for five years from 1st January 2011 and would cover the area
shown in the map below.
For a full list of streets included in the BID area please visit
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
9
Governance
Following a successful vote, a not for profit company will be set up. These arrangements
will be governed by the Company’s Articles of Association and will be lodged with
Companies House. The BID company will have a board of directors made up of
representatives from all sectors and sizes of BID levy payers. The existing steering group
will remain in place as an interim board to get the BID started. During the first year the
new board will be elected.
Proposed Board Structure
Large retail 3
Large retail 3
Small retail 3
Small retail 3
NORTHAMPTON
Leisure
Leisure
4 4
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Office 3
TOWN CENTRE
Office 3
Landlords 2
Landlords 2
Local Authority 1
Local Authority 1
Measuring Performance
The BID will be transparent and accountable to the levy payers. It will measure the
performance and impact of the BID through a health check process together with
business surveys, a 360 degree review and reporting to an Annual General Meeting.
Management
There will be a management team to run the day to day
operations of the BID. The management team will
report to the BID board.
Legal Agreements
It is important the activities of the BID represent added
value over and above the public services already
provided in the BID area. For this reason, Baseline
Agreements exist between the BID and Northampton
Borough Council which clearly define the level of
services provided by the Council.
There will be an Operating Agreement between the BID
and Northampton Borough Council that will define the
contractual arrangements including the collection and
enforcement of the BID levy.
A copy of these agreements can be viewed at
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
10
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
“
"For me the BID is an opportunity
for the many businesses in the
Northampton BID area to get
together and really have some direct
influence on how the town looks,
how it is managed and how it is
promoted."
SHERIDAN NEW
GROSVENOR SHOPPING CENTRE
”
BID levy rules
The BID process is governed by Government Legislation and Regulations. As such, once
a majority vote has been achieved, the BID levy becomes mandatory and enforceable
on all defined ratepayers.
The rules for the BID levy are as follows:
• The levy will be fixed at 1% of rateable value using the 2010 rating list as at 1st
January 2011
• The term of the BID will be for a period of 5 years from 1st January 2011
• The BID levy will be applied to all ratepayers with a rateable value of £15,000 or more
• All new hereditaments entering the rating list after 1st January 2011 will be levied at
1% on the prevailing list
• All hereditaments with charitable status and in receipt of
mandatory charitable relief will be fully exempt from the BID levy
• Shopping centre tenants paying a service charge will be given a
25% discount on the levy rate
• When a hereditament is empty, the eligible ratepayer will be
liable for the BID levy with no void period, except in the case of
listed buildings which will be exempt
• The BID board will agree on an annual basis whether the levy will
assume a growth rate for inflation of up to 3%, and if so this will
be applied in the following financial year.
• There will be no VAT charged on the BID levy
* Hereditament means a rateable business unit
BID Steering Group Membership
Albion Properties Stephen Parrot
Aspers Nigel Hartland
Berrys Andrew Tompson
Caliber Cleaning Services Ben Lloyd
Chown Commercial Stephen Chown - Chair
Churchs Stephen Church
Debenhams Gail Chandler
E Halford and Sons Peter Nock
Gavin Willis Art Direction Gavin Willis
Grosvenor Centre Sheridan New
Hewitsons Patricia Kempson
House of Fraser Jinny Shoosmith
John Gammidge Group John Gammidge
Mailcoach Sue Roberts
Outcast Victoria Bradford
Papa Cinos Stewart Wright
Pubwatch Neil Bartholomey - Vice Chair
Raymond Martin Raymond Everall
Richardson Events Colin Richardson
Royal & Derngate Richard Clinton
Sheinman Opticians John Sheinman
thebestofnorthampton Alison Pate
Voni Blu Yvonne Spence
Watts Furnishers Alan Harland
BID Support Team
Town Centre Manager Derrick Simpson
BID Officers Julie Thorneycroft, Katie Nial
Partnership Solutions Dr Julie Grail
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
11
Financials
The BID will raise approximately £2m to be spent exclusively in the BID area over its five
year life.
A levy of 1% will be applied to the rateable value of each defined ratepayer in the BID
area with a rateable value of £15,000 or more, of which there are approximately 550
raising in the region of £400,000 per year.
rateable
rateable
rateable
Rateable
Value by Property Type
Retail 51%
Retail
51%
Retail
51%
Offices 18%
Offices
18%
Offices
18%
Leisure 16%
Leisure 16%
Leisure 16%
Other 15%
Other 15%
Other 15%
The approximate cost to individual
businesses would be:
Small business (rateable value of £15,000)
£150 per annum/£12.50 per month
Medium business (rateable value of
£50,000) £500 per annum/£41 per month
Large business (rateable value of £150,000)
£1,500 per annum/£125 per month
To calculate your proposed BID levy, simply multiply your rateable value by 0.01.
management
management
rateable
rateable value split for the pie chart amend
Following a successful
BID ballot, all eligible ratepayers will be required to pay
the levy.
rateable
value split for the pie chart amend
management
to – retail 51%; offices 18%; leisure 16%;
–rateable
retail
51%;
offices
18%; the
leisure
The BIDrateable
levy will be due on 1st January 2011 for the first part year and then other
onto1st
April
value
split
pie16%;
chart am
15%.
Expenditure
piefor
chart split
as
other 15%. Expenditure pie chart split as
follows
–
Management
£170,000;
Promoto
–
retail
51%;
offices
18%;
leisure
16%
Management
£170,000
thereafter each year and will be collected
by Northampton Borough Counciltion
on
behalf
follows
– Management £170,000; PromoManagement £170,000
£100,000;
ValueExpenditure
for Money £20,000;
other
15%.
pie
chart split
tion
£100,000;
Value
for
Money
£20,000;
Retail 51%
of the BID Company. The levy income
will
be collected into a ring-fenced BID
BIDRevenue
Running Costs
£90,000;
Promotion
£100,000
– Costs
Management
BIDfollows
Running
£90,000; £170,000; Prom
Promotion £100,000
Management
£170,000
Contingency£20,000
tion
£100,000;
Value for Money £20,000
Account and these funds will beValue
regularly
to the BID Company.
Contingency£20,000
Retail
51%
Offices
18%transferred
for Money
£20,000
Value for Money
£20,000
Promotion
£100,000
18%
BIDOffices
Running
Costs £90,000
Leisure
16%
BID for
Running
Costs
£90,000
Value
Money
£20,000
Leisure
16%
Contingency
£20,000
Other
15%
Contingency
support
the BID £20,000
by providing
BID Running Costs £90,000
Other 15%
Voluntary contributors
BID Running Costs £90,000;
Contingency£20,000
Partner organisations will
financial contributions and
grants. Services including event delivery, technical guidance/advice and administrative
Contingency £20,000
back up will be provided to the value of at least £60,000 per annum in cash and/or inkind.
Expenditure management
management
The expenditure of the BID levy will be divided in the following ways:
Management£170,000
£170,000
Management
Promotion£100,000
£100,000
Promotion
Valuefor
forMoney
Money
£20,000
Value
£20,000
rateable value split for the pie chart
rateable value split for the pie chart amend
to – retail 51%; offices 18%; leisure 1
to – retail 51%; offices 18%; leisure 16%;
other 15%. Expenditure pie chart sp
other 15%. Expenditure pie chart split as
follows
– Management
£170,000;
follows
– Management
£170,000;
Promo- Pr
tion
£100,000;
Value
for
Money
tion £100,000; Value for Money £20,000; £20,
BID Running
Costs £90,000;
BID Running
Costs £90,000;
Contingency£20,000
Contingency£20,000
BID
£90,000
BIDRunning
RunningCosts
Costs
£90,000
Contingency
Contingency£20,000
£20,000
The BID board will have the responsibility for agreeing and managing the budget. The
board could decide to vary the budget by up to 10% for each area of expenditure. If a
variation greater than 10% was required, the board would need to present this to an
EGM/AGM for approval.
12
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
BID Budget
BID Budget for the five year term 2011 to 2015
INCOME
2011
BID Levy Income
340,000
Voluntary Contributions 60,000
TOTAL INCOME
400,000
2012
346,800
60,000
406,800
2013
353,600
60,000
413,600
2014
360,400
60,000
420,400
2015
367,200
60,000
427,200
EXPENDITURE
BID Projects
Management
Promotion
Value for Money
BID Running Costs
Contingency c.5%
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
173,400
102,000
20,400
91,800
19,200
406,800
176,800
104,000
20,800
93,600
18,400
413,600
180,200
106,000
21,200
95,400
17,600
420,400
183,600
108,000
21,600
97,200
16,800
427,200
170,000
100,000
20,000
90,000
20,000
400,000
Assumed 2% annual inflation uplift
Northampton BID Budget Year 1 2011
INCOME
BID Levy Income
Voluntary Contributions
TOTAL INCOME
£
340,000
60,000
400,000
EXPENDITURE
BID Projects
Management
Clean-up
Town Centre Hosts
Vacant Shop Window Displays
Retail Crime Initiative
40,000
80,000
20,000
30,000
Promotion
Branding and Marketing
PR
Events
Wayfinding and signage
30,000
10,000
30,000
30,000
Value for Money
Collective Procurement Initiative
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS
20,000
290,000
BID Running Costs
Management and overheads
Levy collection
TOTAL RUNNING COSTS
Contingency c. 5%
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
84,000
6,000
90,000
20,000
400,000
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
13
What’s in it
for me?
If you moved your business to a new building on a modern office or retail estate
you would, quite rightly, expect an Estate Manager to maintain and promote the
environment you have invested in. Being in the town centre should be no different.
Someone should be looking after your patch, offering an inviting and dynamic
environment for your customers.
The BID will accomplish this and build on the investment in the town over the last 18
months. In the years ahead the BID will ensure Council baseline agreements are met
and that opportunities for improvements are taken. The BID board will identify
advantageous opportunities that levy-payers can benefit from as members of a BID
buying group. To date, opportunities for cheaper recycling, waste management,
insurance, electricity, gas and stationery have been investigated.
In summary, the BID is an opportunity for businesses to have more say in a better
run town centre, increased promotion and improved value for money.
“
Further enhancements from the
BID will raise the profile and
perception of the town centre
leading to increased footfall and
more customers to enjoy the diverse
leisure and retail offer.
JINNY SHOOSMITH
HOUSE OF FRASER
” “
The BID will attract shoppers by
supporting independent retailers
providing variety and choice.
Alongside improved signage the
BID will provide a human presence
on the street to enhance the visitor
experience, and encourage repeat
visits.
ALAN HARLAND
WATTS FURNISHERS
14
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
”
The BID Ballot
From 1st to 28th October 2010, businesses will be asked to cast their vote in a formal
ballot. To ensure neutrality, the ballot will be administered by Northampton Borough
Council and will be a secret ballot in accordance with the statutory BID legislation.
Eligible voters
All defined ratepayers will be entitled to one vote per hereditament. Those businesses
who occupy more than one hereditament within the area will receive a ballot paper for
each premises.
Ratepayers that are exempt from paying the BID levy will not be eligible to vote.
It will be possible to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Proxy applications will
need to be made to the ballot holder by 5pm on 18th October 2010.
a yes vote
To establish a BID, the ballot will need to satisfy two tests
as follows:
1. A majority in number of those voting
2. A majority in Rateable Value of those voting
“
We believe that BIDs can be an
important tool in co-ordinating collective
investment to improve the trading
environment.
BRITISH RETAIL CONSORTIUM
”
“
Part of the Northampton BID will
be to support, promote and better
communicate our town centre trade
with some positive marketing
throughout the year. This can have a
big impact on attracting people to
the Town Centre and creating a
better experience for customers,
visitors and our employees.
GAVIN WILLIS
GAVIN WILLIS ART DIRECTION
www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
”
15
your vote
counts
Steps in the ballot process
Your notice of ballot will be sent on 16th September 2010.
Your ballot paper will arrive on 1st October 2010.
You will need to cast your vote by 5pm on 28th October 2010.
The ballot result will be announced on 29th October 2010.
For further information about the Northampton BID, please contact:
• Email your comments to info@northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
• Discuss your comments by phoning 01604 838428
• Visit www.northamptontowncentrebid.co.uk
Stephen Chown
BID Chair
Neil Bartholomey
BID Vice Chair
Derrick Simpson
Town Centre Manager
Remember you need to cast
your vote to make a difference
to Northampton Town Centre
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
NORTHAMPTON
TOWN CENTRE
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT