Beckenham businesses have voted for YES in the Business Improvement District ballot.
The ‘Beckenham Together’ BID will give Beckenham businesses a greater say in how the town centre is managed. It follows the outcome of the 4 week ballot which saw a majority of businesses voting for the BID proposal. The total number of votes cast was 112, representing a turnout of 32%. In total, 74% voted in favour, representing 76% of the rateable value of votes cast.
The interim Chairman of the Steering Group behind the BID campaign, Jackie Groundsell of the Beckenham Business Association, said, “We are delighted by the news but this is where the hard work starts. We have spent over a year speaking to local companies and traders to come up with a business plan to provide services that are designed to ensure our town centre continues to thrive. Beckenham already has much to offer and we will be looking to build on this.”
“This is excellent news for Beckenham and our congratulations go to all concerned. The Council is committed to working with the Beckenham Together BID team to make sure that the town centre is as successful as it can be. There is no doubt that it is a challenging period for town centre businesses but this vote will allow for innovation to come forwards and bring further investment into the town, which will be good for business, shoppers and visitors alike” said Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal and Recreation.
The ‘Beckenham Together’ BID team includes representatives from a range of local businesses, such as The Beckenham Bookshop, Burger and Bubbles, AAA-MiniCabs, Creases and Gallery 17, and large businesses in the town centre such as Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, The Spa, Barclays and Link Asset Services. ‘Beckenham Together’ are looking to deliver services such as a local loyalty scheme, a comprehensive place marketing offer for Beckenham, an expanded programme of events and will introduce Street Ambassadors to be the friendly face of the town centre.
Beckenham will now join the likes of Bromley and Orpington town centres who have both benefitted from having successful BIDs and with neighbouring Penge BID ballot also indicating approval for a BID, more businesses than ever will have the opportunity to get involved in helping to improve their local town centre.