9th November 2021: Businesses across Sutton Coldfield Town Centre have voted in favour of renewing their status as a Business Improvement District (BID) - securing a significant £1.3 million to be spent on improving the area.
This positive result follows several months of planning, in-depth interviews, surveys and a month-long ballot in which hundreds of businesses in the area were asked to vote on the proposals.
An impressive 67% of votes cast voted in favour of the BID Renewal Ballot by total number of businesses, and 62% of votes cast voted in favour of the BID by Rateable Value.
As a result of the ‘Yes’ vote, the renewal of Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID will commence on the 1st January 2022 and businesses with a rateable value of £7,500 or above will pay a levy based upon their rateable value, creating a collective fund of more than £1.3 million to spend over the next five years.
The plans were spearheaded and driven by the Board of business representatives from across the town, supported by pfbb UK, who develop and deliver Business Improvement Districts across the country.
Speaking about the ‘Yes’ vote, Angela Henderson, manager of the Gracechurch Shopping Centre and Chair of the BID, said:
“This is fantastic news for Sutton Coldfield Town Centre and a huge congratulations must go to all the businesses which rallied and joined forces to ensure we secured a yes vote in our renewal ballot. Thanks must go to all those businesses that engaged in the process by sharing their ideas and opinions on how we can work together to improve the area and who, ultimately, voted in favour of the plans to support each other in these challenging and uncertain times.
“The renewal takes us into the BID’s third term and we can now build on the work already done by the BID and take its next term into the future at an exciting time for the town alongside Sutton Coldfield’s Town Council’s Masterplan.
“The BID’s business plan, which businesses were being asked to vote on, has been designed to begin addressing the issues which came up during the lengthy consultations with many of the businesses in the BID area, from the small independent businesses to large national businesses.”
“The money will now be spent through the three key strategic objectives and their related activities”.
Councillor Simon Ward, leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Chairman of the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership added:
“I am absolutely delighted that the members of our Royal Town’s BID have voted so decisively for renewal. The BID plays such an important role with both its practical support for businesses but also as an authoritative voice for business locally.
“The Town Council values its partnership with the BID across so many projects. As we embark upon the next stages of the ambitious regeneration of our Town Centre it is great to have the BID working with us as a key partner”.
The Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID vision is to work with others to define, develop and promote the identity of Sutton Coldfield which reflects its strengths, attributes and heritage, whilst ensuring that the town remains vibrant and safe for all who visit, work or shop in the town. The town’s businesses, stakeholders and local residents are already proud of their town and the BID intend to build on this pride working with Birmingham City Council and Sutton Town Council and other organisations to promote what the town has to offer.
The new BID’s Business Plan:
Angela Henderson, said, “The way forward for Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID is working in collaboration with Royal Sutton Coldfield’s Town Council and Birmingham City Council in delivering the proposed Masterplan. The BID will also be the voice of business lobbying on topics which affect businesses. The overall aim will be to ensure that businesses are listened to and promoted alongside ensuring the town remains relevant and flexible in an ever-changing environment.”
For more information, please visit https://suttoncoldfieldtowncentre.co.uk/
