Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone businesses have voted to create a unique Business Improvement District (BID) that will secure a significant £2m to be spent on improving the area.
The Brentwood Connected BID will be the first in the UK to incorporate three high streets in one Business Improvement District. Over 500 businesses across multiple sectors will benefit from events, projects and initiatives that increase footfall, dwell time and perception of the area.
The positive result follows 18 months of planning by the Brentwood Business Partnership, including in-depth interviews, surveys and workshops and a month-long ballot in which businesses in the area were asked to vote on the proposals. The plans were spear-headed and driven by a steering group of business representatives from across the area, supported by Locus, who develop and deliver Business Improvement Districts across the country.
At the BID ballot held on 29 June, 80% of votes cast were in favour of the Brentwood Connected BID by the total number of businesses. 88% of ballots cast were in favour of the BID by rateable value.
As a result of the yes vote the area’s new Business Improvement District will come into effect on 1 October 2023.
Businesses with a rateable value of £12,500 or above will pay a levy based upon their rateable value, creating a collective fund of £2 million to spend over the next five years.
Kaye Thurgood, Chair of the Brentwood Business Partnership, said: “The Brentwood Business Partnership has been working for the benefit of our town centres in Brentwood, Shenfield, and Ingatestone for a number of years. Our collaborative approach has given us a solid foundation to create a unique BID that brings together our three high streets. We are looking forward to delivering projects and initiatives that will ensure our town centres continue to thrive.”
Councillor David Kendall, Brentwood Borough Council’s Chair of the Finance, Assets, Investments & Recovery Committee, added: “This is great news for Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone. Huge congratulations must go to all the businesses which rallied and joined forces to ensure the Brentwood Connected BID secured a solid yes vote. Our new BID will be led and driven by the businesses themselves and this funding and commitment of collaboration with the Council will enable the BID to build on the area’s unique strengths and assets.”
For more information visit www.brentwoodbusinesspartnership.co.uk
