St Peters Quarter BID Launches Renewal

St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District has launched its renewal  to continue the work underway in the area of the city centre between the Cathedral Quarter and Intu Derby shopping centre.

The 400 businesses included in the St Peters Quarter BID area are currently being canvassed for their views on the work that has already been completed during the five-year programme and the work needed in the next five years.   Their views and research collated will be compiled into a business plan which will be put to the vote at the end of June.
For the BID ballot  to be successful, more than 50% of the number of businesses and more than 50% of the rateable value of the businesses who vote have to say yes.  The results will be announced at the end of July.

Businesses then pay a percentage of their rateable value which raises around £200,000 a year.  This has enabled a further £3 million to be directly invested into the area over the past five years to deliver projects in line with the BID’s objectives. Stephen Jeffery is chair of St Peters Quarter Board which includes representatives from businesses across the area.
He said: “BIDs have a maximum life of five years before they must be renewed and we are now at a point where we need to build upon what we have achieved and consider what we need to do to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities which will emerge over the next five years. “Over the next few weeks, businesses will be asked for their views and ideas for the future so that we can formulate the BID proposal and business plan which will goto the ballot in June.“As a BID, we act as an effective and influential voice to address the challenges and develop St Peters Quarter to the benefit of all our businesses.”

Management Group member Helen Wathall continued: “Much has happened since St Peters Quarter BID started on 1st September 2011.“By bringing businesses together we have achieved a great deal to create the St Peters Quarter brand, promote the area improve the visitor experience and encourage inward investment. In fact before the BID, this area had no name and no sense of business community or identity. “However, there is no denying that there is still a great deal to be done and without a further five-year BID programme, I firmly believe that St Peters Quarter will miss out on the opportunity to secure a positive future for the area and the businesses who operate here.”

Key achievements over the past five years have included:
-    Creating the St Peters Quarter as a destination supported by promotions and marketing
-    Recruiting Rangers who are the important conduit between businesses and statutory agencies
-    Tackling crime and anti social behaviour in the area
-    Improving the appearance of the area from reducing litter to expanding Christmas lights
-    Staging street entertainment and events
-    Encouraging inward investment and reducing vacancy rates
-    Advocating for public realm improvements including the creation of St Peters Cross, the development of the Spot which is earmarked to start in March 2016 and securing £700,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the renovation of frontages in the Green Lane area

Mr Jeffery concluded: “Town and city centres and, in particular, traditional high streets across the UK have seen unprecedented change and St Peters Quarter has been more exposed than most. “Changes in shopping trends have reduced the need for high street shops and prompted a shift in the focus to leisure and the experience of the visitor with places to eat and drink and be entertained. “Although we have seen some major retail names disappear, we have seen a growth in financial services and new retailers moving in who provide something unique and different. “We also face the challenges of the derelict Duckworth Square, the reduction in footfall in the Green Lane area and the uncertainty surrounding the Eagle Market. “However, new opportunities are emerging for these locations and it is important that we continue to develop the sense of identity and direction for St Peters Quarter as an entity through a new BID programme of support for businesses.”

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