BID: new town centre marketing initiative

Hastings town centre could see £1 million of improvements if local businesses agree to become a ‘BID’ (Business Improvement District). The town centre partnership is working with consultants Revive & Thrive to explain the benefits of becoming a BID, which will be voted on in autumn next year.

If agreed, businesses would pay an additional amount of their rateable value for a period, which would then be invested back into improving the town centre, as well as being used to secure other grants, etc. The improvements would be up to the businesses themselves, but might include business support, a better environment and improved security.

There are already over 200 BIDs across the country, improving shopping centres, industrial areas, etc, which are using local skills and local passion for the areas to make improvements benefiting the local community, including residents, workers, shoppers and visitors.

The local partnership will be carrying out work to prepare for the important vote next autumn to ensure that the plans being developed are what Hastings town centre wants and needs. They will be working with the businesses themselves, local residents, shoppers and visitors and are keen to hear from anyone else who wants to improve the town centre.

Competition to brand the BID

As part of this work, the town centre businesses leading the work are running a competition to ‘brand the BID’, inviting local people to help look for a name and a logo which explains what the BID means for Hastings.

Local businessman Dave Padmore, who chairs the group organising the BID, explained, “We think the Hastings BID will really help all of us with an interest in the town centre, helping local businesses, the local community and indeed everyone who works or shops here.

“And we really want local people to get involved in the project from the beginning, which is why we want help in developing a name and an idea for a logo for our BID. They should reflect what is special about our town centre and capture its uniqueness.

“The winner of the best name and logo will each win a hamper worth over £100, provided by local businesses, which will be especially welcome at this time of the year! But the main prize will be seeing your entries representing an organisation that will be taking Hastings Town Centre into an even brighter future.

“Entries should be sent to hastings@reviveandthrive.co.uk by 15 January – and the winner will be announced on 1 February.

“This is really exciting for our town centre, and I’m looking forward to working with businesses and the local community over the coming few months to develop improvement plans that we all want. Getting our name and logo right is an important first step.”

Revive and Thrive

BID employment opportunity

Revive & Thrive are recruiting a BID development assistant in Hastings. For further information, check out the link here.

Government information about Business Improvement Districts

Revive & Thrive

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