Knutsford’s town centre businesses are being invited to attend a meeting later this month to help decide if a Business Improvement District (BID) would be suitable for Knutsford.
The meeting is due to be held at 6pm on Wednesday 25th April at The Courthouse, and will include presentations from Elizabeth Faulkner (BID manager for Altrincham) and Grenville Kelly (business director at Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside).
Knutsford’s town centre manager Sandra Curties explained: “This meeting is about engaging as many local businesses owners as possible in a discussion to help decide if a BID is for Knutsford.
“We urge as all Knutsford town centre businesses – shops, restaurants, bars, pubs and professional services – to attend as possible, so this discussion is inclusive.”
A BID is a defined area in which a levy is charged on business rate payers. This levy is used to develop projects which will benefit businesses in the local area.
In Cheshire, there are existing BIDs in operation in Chester and Northwich, and there are almost 300 across the UK.
They can be a powerful tool, allowing the business community and local council to work together to improve the local trading environment.
The meeting in Knutsford will finish with an open discussion and a mock ballot to gauge the local business community’s response to this potential initiative for Knutsford.
Knutsford town centre business wishing to attend the meeting are asked to email Sandra.curties@knutsfordtowncouncil.co.uk.
More information about BIDs can be found on the government website:
www.gov.uk/guidance/business-improvement-districts
