This week in Rye News we’re looking at plans for a business improvement district in Rye. Silvia Shinn, the co-owner of Plaristo on Rye High Street, explains why she is in favour of what it could achieve.
About Plaristo
We are a family firm – two daughters, one granddaughter, my husband Nick and me. We are now back on the High Street though we have also been on the Mint and Rye Harbour Road. We started Plaristo 15 years ago and now concentrate on making and selling beautiful candles in lots of sizes and colours, along with glowing glasses featuring our own designs. We’re about to start giving candle making lessons again which are a lot of fun.
How’s business at the moment?
It’s really tough, probably the worst economic climate for businesses in years. I don’t believe anyone who says they’re doing really well! The economy isn’t good and people don’t have any spare money which is hard as some consider what we sell are luxuries. The new candle-making classes will help as they were very, very popular when we did them at the Harbour Road site and we’ve got some brilliant new ideas.
Yes to a business improvement district
I’m in favour of what Rye BID could achieve, especially as it’s about businesses coming together for the benefit of visitors and customers. Clean streets, clean toilets, nice Christmas lights, a bit of marketing – it’s a no brainer. If it helps people get a really good experience in our town, I think it’s worth it and it’s something businesses should feel responsible for.
I understand people’s concerns but most seem based on a number of misunderstandings
about how the process works. All the relevant businesses within the BID area will have a vote, whether they are chamber members or not. We all need to work together for the benefit of Rye.
It’s not about big businesses against small businesses either, which is also what some people are arguing. Two thirds of the businesses who will have to pay are small like ours – 185 out of 277.
How much would a small business like Plaristo pay?
Between £100 and £300 a year, a weekly cost of between £1.92 and £5.77. If it attracts more people to our lovely town and leads to one more sale a week in our shop, we are already ahead. It’s value for money.
If the majority of business owners in Rye, don’t want the BID to happen they can vote against it. If it does go ahead and we all get just £10 or more income a week as a result, it will have paid for itself. I think it’s worth the risk.
Is there an alternative?
I can’t see one. Where do you think the money is going to come from? Councils have less and less and if you do a voluntary thing, it’ll never happen properly. With things like the Christmas lights the volunteers do a crazy amount of work to get them up. I can’t help them with that but I can contribute some resources. So no, I don’t think there is an alternative.
Image Credits: James Stewart .
As a visitor to Rye it is so important to retain its character which attracts all visitors, bringing business to the area. That character featured recently in the “you” magazine, read on Sundays nationally.
It is important that The Town Council works with business, promoting the Town and visa versa.
Also the inclusion of District Council. Being mindful that District will disappear when the new County system becomes reality.
Rye must retain its beautiful self created by you the people and the shops around.