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A Newry, Mourne and Down District Council committee has now approved a motion to support Business Improvement District (BIDs) expansion across the local authority’s geographic area.
BIDs are formed by a collection of local businesses to take on new concepts and projects with in a defined location under a manager and support team.
Downpatrick councillor, Cadogan Enright’s motion at Monday nights Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee read: “This council recognises the important role that Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) can play in promoting regeneration, leading economic development, and providing a collective voice for local businesses.
“It also recognises the excellent work already being done by Newry BID, and that this can serve as an exemplar for BIDs across the district.
“Council will use its human or other resources to enthusiastically welcome and support plans to establish new BIDs across the district, particularly in our main towns"
He added: “BIDs have proved so successful that 90% of them are re-elected (four year periods).
“Can we now also write to the Department for Communities to ask them to facilitate funding to open doors to any areas wanting to form a BID?”
A council officer stated that the BIDs could only come about if local businesses decided to organise it and pay a rates’ levy of 1.5%.
“The BID area is decided by businesses, it is not done by the council drawing a map,” said the officer.
However, the council’s previous participation in the Newry BID organisation was highlighted in the chamber.
Newry councillor, Gary Stokes said: “With the Newry BID, the council was instrumental in the set up of it.
“It was very pro-active with the launch of Newry BID in 2014/15.
“The council was at the centre of its creation, it was definitely not a bystander.”
The motion to support further BIDs across the district was passed and will go to full council to be ratified.
