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Newry Business Improvement District has formally launched its revote campaign, asking eligible city centre businesses to vote on whether the BID should continue for a further five-year term from 2026 to 2031.
The revote is scheduled to take place next month with ballot papers to be issued and administered by Civica Election Services on behalf of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, in line with BID legislation.
Since its establishment in 2016, Newry BID has delivered a wide-ranging programme of activity focused on marketing the city, supporting local businesses, improving safety and cleanliness, and representing the interests of the business community on key issues such as business rates, parking, flooding and regeneration.
Ahead of the ballot, Newry BID has undertaken extensive consultation with its membership to shape the priorities for the next term. This included face-to-face interviews, online surveys delivered by independent research company CARD Group, personalised email invitations and follow-up discussion groups across a range of sectors.
Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager, said the revote is an important moment for the business community. "It gives businesses the opportunity to decide whether they want the BID to continue and to build on the work delivered over the past ten years. If the vote outcome is 'no', the BID would cease to exist with immediate effect," he said.
He added that the focus over the coming weeks is on providing clear, factual information on what the BID has delivered, what businesses have told them they want to see next and how the BID operates. "Ultimately, it is for businesses to decide whether the BID continues to represent value for money and a strong collective voice for Newry city centre."
The revote proposal sets out priorities for the next term, shaped directly by feedback from businesses. These reflect ongoing challenges facing the city centre, including rising costs, changes in consumer behaviour, safety, infrastructure and flood resilience.
Peter Murray, Chair of Newry BID, said the organisation exists to support businesses and to advocate for the city centre at a time of real change. "The revote allows businesses to have their say on whether they want that collective approach to continue," he said. "Over the past term, the BID has demonstrated its ability to be agile, to respond to crises such as Covid and flooding, and to deliver practical support alongside long-term lobbying. We would encourage all eligible businesses to engage with the revote information and to use their voice to vote Yes."
All eligible ratepayers will receive ballot papers directly as part of the statutory process, and Newry BID will continue to engage with businesses ahead of the vote to explain the proposal, answer questions and provide supporting information. Further information on the revote, including key dates and the full proposal, is available at newry.com.
