Dorchester's BID for improvements

The Dorchester Chamber of Commerce's town promotion sub-committee invited Dr Julie Grail, the Director of Partnership Solutions to address three meetings during the day about BIDs (Business Improvement Districts). Alistair Chisholm made the original suggestion to invite Dr Grail and acted as Chairman for the meetings.

Dr Grail's consultancy has unique experience of BIDs in the UK, having been involved in more of the 16 successful ones started so far than any other organisation. First Dr Grail made a presentation to members of the Chamber of Commerce, then to Councillors and Council Officers from all over Dorset. The final meeting was held at 6pm in the Old Crown Court and was open to the public. Local businesses had received an invitation to this meeting together with a brief outline of what a BID is.

The idea started in America and had a powerful effect in rejuvenating run down city centres and restoring civic pride to areas blighted by petty crime and vandalism. The power of a BID is that it features a plan for improvements put forward by local businesses and voted on by them. All businesses involved in the BID area have a say.

If the businesses vote in favour, a levy is raised on the business rate. Businessmen voting to pay more rates! It sounds like that but the reality is that as little as 6p in the pound taken in business rates finds its way back to the District Council which collects it, the rest being kept by central government.

The small proportion returned to the District Council has to pay for a whole range of services. However, with a BID, every penny of the extra levy is spent locally and is only spent on the programme of improvements mentioned in the BID plan.

This is why it is a powerful tool for making improvements to an area. Once a successful ballot has been held it is collected by the District Council from every business rated premises in the area defined in the BID plan. Thus it is fair and enforced but the Council plays no part in the spending of it. This is organised in accordance with strict rules by a BID company set up for the purpose.

Response to the meetings was very positive and the local paper, The Dorset Echo, reflected this in its comment and reporting. The idea will be followed up by the Chamber of Commerce