Kingston to become UK's first Business Improvement District

A postal ballot was held between 18 October and 15th November, with 66 per cent of businesses in the area voting ‘yes’ to the conversion, which will generate £4 million over five years.

A BID is a defined geographical area in which business rate payers (BRPs) have voted to invest collectively in local improvements to enhance their trading environment.

Businesses within Kingston will create the extra funding through a collective one per cent supplement on rateable values, doubling the boroughs current spend on town centre services.

The idea has been very successful in business areas in the United States, but Kingston will be the first to translate the idea to the UK.

Nick Raynsford, Local Government Minister, said: "I am delighted to hear that businesses in Kingston upon Thames have recognised the great opportunity that BIDs offer and have voted in favour of a scheme in their area.

“This will have a knock-on effect on the local economy and the competitiveness of the businesses which operate within it, whether they be small or large, retailers or other types of business. This is an exciting day for Kingston and for businesses around England which could soon benefit from similar schemes."

Local small businesses will also be given additional support, with improved access to funding, training and business development, as well as seminars and networking opportunities.

The scheme, entitled Kingston First, will go into operation on January 1 2004, with initial funding from the London Development Agency (LDA) as one of its pilot BIDs for London.

Councillor Barry O’Mahoney, Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: "This is brilliant news for the town centre, its businesses and the local community. Kingston Council can now work in partnership with Kingston First to deliver enhanced services across the board and most importantly to improve Kingston's performance as a retail, business and leisure destination.”

Examples of the kinds of benefits the scheme will create for businesses in Kingston include:

• A cleaner environment – environmental rangers on duty seven days a week to target known hot spots and provide rapid clean ups.
• Safer streets – Community Rangers on duty seven days a week to deter anti-social behaviour with the additional appointment of a Business Crime Reduction Co-ordinator to facilitate a ‘joined up’ response to crime.
• Better transport and access – funding and promoting existing Park and Ride schemes for Christmas/January sales shopping to increase customer use.

• Marketing and promotion – appointment of a Marketing, Events and PR Coordinator, media and advertising campaigns and an annual programme of special events.