Proposals for the Southside Business Improvement District (Southside BID) have been launched at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Representatives of the businesses eligible to vote in the BID ballot, which will be held during October and November 2010, received an overview of the proposed BID from Stuart Griffiths, Chair of the Southside Steering Group and Chief Executive of the Hippodrome.
Commenting on the Launch, Stuart said, “I and many others believe that now is the right time to build on what has been achieved and realise Southside’s full potential as a contemporary urban village set within Birmingham’s wider city centre. This BID Proposal sets out plans that we have developed in consultation with the local businesses.
“Southside needs to be more accessible and welcoming, more vibrant and attractive both during the day and in the evening and better organised to promote the district and the interests of its businesses. No single organisation currently represents all of the business interests in the area with the capacity to promote and champion this diverse market mix. With an annual budget of £350,000 and £1.75 million over five years, a Southside BID could do just that.”
The Proposal, which was distributed to all guests, lists the ten BID pledges, the key actions to be undertaken, the first year’s budget and explains the voting process for the forthcoming official ballot of businesses.
The 10 Southside BID Pledges
o Improved visitor experience
o Safe and welcoming environment
o New and repeat customers
o Positive brand and profile
o Proactive local management team
o Effective business ‘voice’
o Added value
o Sustained additional investment
o Support from other Birmingham city centre BIDs
o Business led, local and inclusive decisions
The promoters of the BID, the Southside Steering Group formed in 2008, when businesses came together to consider the issues and opportunities for the area and to develop the BID. The Group consists of business and community representatives in the area, together with the West Midlands
Police and Birmingham City Council and supported by the Birmingham City Centre Partnership.
Councillor Timothy Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Regeneration said; “The City Council gave its full backing to the Southside BID at the Cabinet meeting in July when a package of financial support was agreed together with nine ‘yes’ votes in relation to the City Council property interests in the proposed BID area.”
Commenting on the importance of Southside to the emerging Big City Plan, Councillor Huxtable continued; “Southside has the potential to attract more investment, employment and visitors over the coming years. It is a key component of the Big City Plan and in particular, is well placed to benefit from the New Street Gateway and the redevelopment of the Wholesale Markets site.”
Southside has rightly emerged as a distinctive quarter within Birmingham’s expanding city centre, driven by a unique mix of developments including those restaurants, bars and clubs which characterise the area’s Chinese Quarter and Gay Village, the Arcadian Centre, the Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Radisson Blu Hotel and O2 Academy. The Electric Cinema, Old Rep Theatre and the National Trust Back to Backs also add to the area’s eclectic mix.
Southside is also home to a wide range of city living developments, retail, commercial and offices.
Centre City House in Hill Street is home to Legal and General, with over 600 staff. Operations Director for Legal and General, Andy Webb attended the launch of the Proposal and commented; “Having worked in and visited many parts of the UK, I can see first hand that Southside has many unique opportunities ahead and the ‘one voice’ of a BID will ensure that these are exploited to their full potential. I am confident that the combined investment and additional resources will be good for our business, staff and customers and Southside as a whole.”
The BID will be financed by an annual levy being collected by Birmingham City Council. All business sectors will be included and a 2% levy of rateable value will be charged on 300 properties with a rateable value in excess of £10,000 per annum.
Editors’ Notes
1. A Business Improvement District is a precisely defined geographical area within which the businesses have voted to invest collectively in local improvements and additional services to enhance their trading environment.
2. For information on the proposed Southside BID, visit www.southsidebid.co.uk
3. There are currently three BIDs operating in the City Centre, collectively bringing in over £10 million of additional private sector investment over their five year terms:-
Broad Street BID www.broadst.co.uk
Retail Birmingham www.retailbirmingham.co.uk
Colmore Business District www.colmorebusinessdistrict.com
4. The ballot for the Southside BID will take place between 4th October and 11th November 2010 and the result will be known on 12th November.
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