The latest plans for a Business Improvement District (BID) in Rye are being delivered to firms in the town centre this week. The proposals are also being discussed by Rother District Council on Monday October 6.
Consultation on the controversial scheme has been extended with no firm decision taken on whether it will proceed. If it does go ahead, there will be a ballot of affected businesses to make the final verdict in January.
Under the plans, firms in Rye would each pay towards a fund that would contribute to town centre improvements, for example better signage, marketing or Christmas lights. The levy would be imposed on all qualifying town centre firms for five years and could raise over £100,000 annually.
Sarah Broadbent from the Rye BID Task Group says the latest consultation document began to be to delivered on Thursday October 2. “The draft BID plan is now being circulated to eligible businesses within the proposed BID area for a further round of consultation. A decision on whether to proceed to ballot will not be made until the end of this round.”
At the same time, the proposals are on the agenda for Rother District Council’s cabinet meeting on Monday October 6. Councillors are expected to approve a draft plan to ballot local businesses no later than February next year.
The report for the cabinet meeting includes details on how any money raised will be spent, with £15,000 allotted to improving signs, toilets and bins each year.
£60,000 would also be set aside annually to pay for an AI tourist information service, Christmas lights, events, promoting the Strand, social media and marketing. Full details of the spending plans are already published on the Rye BID website.
Sarah Broadbent says the council discussion is separate from the consultation process. “The Task Group needs to ensure it is following regulatory procedure. RDC approval is not an indication that the Rye BID is going to ballot, simply that due process is being followed and permissions sought in advance of the point of perhaps needing them. This is necessary so as not to conflict with the timings of the mayoral election next spring.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Rye BID .
What is a “Business Improvement District”?
Surely ” improving signs, toilets and bins each year” is already one of the basic tasks of councils, not something new.
Would this scheme, to raise extra money on top of extortionate rates, fund wage increases for council management ?
Hello Mark,
It is something new to Rye. There are both general set of FAQs on the Rye Bid Website https://www.ryebid.co.uk/faqs and also a more detailed Rye specific document that you will find at the begining of that page will be useful and answer most of your questions.
As someone who owns a business in Rye I have not once been contacted about the BID proposal.
The only information I’ve had about it has been via word of mouth at my pub from fellow business owners, who I would note are all opposed.
I’ve emailed twice to ask for details but have been ignored.
There hasn’t been any consultation as far as I’m concerned.
This BID will result in what amounts to a compulsory extra tax on small businesses. It’s only fair that everyone who will have to pay it is at least spoken to before they force it on us.
Why is it down to business owners? Who already pay huge business rates, already contribute to a thriving high street and town, already employ people, create opportunity, donate to local events and school fetes, upkeep the buildings, attract tourists and take care of locals. Why is more pressure being put on business owners… ?
If this was a compulsory levy being imposed on residents who live in Rye as an extra tax, I am sure the response would be ‘well that is what I pay council tax for!’
Do some research on BIDs around the country and around the world. If you can find evidence of a successful BID, what it actually offers, what the investment payback is and how Rye could really benefit then please let us all know.
Do we need a private company, run by a self appointed task force, collecting a compulsory levy (tax) from all business owners for this?
I am not against community coming together to make better, I am just not sure if this concept and the way it has been rolled out is the way forward. I feel that the general consensus among many business owners, is that communication has not been strong or transparent.
It will also give a false impression to local people and visitors that the council are doing a good job, when actually it is the incredibly diverse and wonderful independent businesses that exist in Rye matched with the rich history and the beautiful town and scenery that make it such a great place for people to spend a few days and make for a thriving local economy.
As a business owner, i want to be able to choose directly who, when and what i donate to as a good cause to make sure the money is being used appropriately and carefully.