Vote opens for Chester BID zone
The vote on the creation of Chester's business improvement district has begun, with 509 businesses in the area being asked whether they are willing to contribute a 1% levy on top of business rates.
The BID plan, which is being proposed by the CH1 Chester BID team, is backed by Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Primark, Grosvenor Shopping Centre and the Chester Grosvenor Hotel.
If the plans get the go-ahead, the BID team said that around £2.5m of private sector investment would be created over the next five years and reinvested back into Chester city centre, through initiatives such as better events, marketing, and lobbying for improved car parking rules and later shop opening hours.
To get approval, the ballot requires a 'Yes' vote from at least 51% of all those who vote. In addition, 'Yes' voters must represent at least 51% of the total rateable value of all the businesses who vote. Only businesses with a rateable value of over £18,000 are eligible to vote.
The vote will remain open until 30 June, although as it is a postal ballot votes are encouraged to submit their responses by 27 June. The result will be announced in early July.
The BID area includes:
- Hunter Street
- Princess Street
- Northgate Street
- Watergate Street
- St Werburg Street
- Eastgate Street
- Frodsham Street
- Frodsham Square
- Foregate Street
- Bridge Street
- Pepper Street
- St John Street
- Godstall Lane
- The Forum Shopping Centre
- Grosvenor Shopping Centre
