VISITORS to Northallerton are being urged to give their views on how it can be improved.
Business owners will also be surveyed as part of the next stage of a process investigating a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) for the county town.
A well-attended meeting to get the BID off the ground was held recently, with almost 50 interested parties and businesses represented at an event held at Barkers High Street store.
The meeting was opened by Conservative MP for Richmond Rishi Sunak. Speaking afterwards, he said it was encouraging to see so many of the town’s businesses represented.
“There is plenty of evidence available to show that business improvement districts can make a real difference to high streets and town centres,” he added. “The BID steering group did an excellent job in outlining the potential benefits of what a BID could mean in Northallerton. It is now up to the business community in Northallerton to decide if it wishes to take the next step.”
Steering group chairman Lindsay Judd said: “The level of support for the proposal is really encouraging and we hope to be ready to ballot businesses in the BID area in October. This means we have a lot of work to do with our local supporters to ensure we put together a great proposal to drive Northallerton forward.”
At the meeting, Mr Judd, who manages the town’s branch of Bettys, gave an overview of the proposal and introduced Stephen Patterson, director of communications for NE1 – Newcastle’s BID project.
Mr Judd said: “The presentations were well received and a there were lots of good, positive questions from the audience – we’re incorporating comprehensive answers to these questions on the BID website.
“The next stage will see us surveying businesses within the proposed BID area – as well as visitors to the town. This will be carried out as part of a new Retail Centres Study being undertaken by Hambleton District Council over the next few weeks.
“The questions will allow all interested parties to help shape the BID proposal.”
Every business within the BID area should now have had either a letter or a visit in person from a member of the committee. Follow-up visits planned for April will encourage people to come forward with ideas, questions and feedback. In the meantime, people are urged to register their interest via the www.northallertonbid.co.uk, where they will also find a comprehensive list of questions and answers about the BID.
Businesses can also contact any member of the BID committee direct to discuss any matters of interest. A full list can be found on the website.
Retailers and other small and medium-sized businesses have been working with local authority representatives and others with an interest in building on the county town’s strengths.
If approved by a majority vote among business owners within the Business Improvement District, centred on the High Street, all businesses within the BID would pay a levy based on rateable value (the smallest businesses are exempt). This levy would fund a BID group run by local businesses for local businesses that would determine – through consultation – how the funds are used for the benefit of all.
Key proposals include marketing to sell the town’s strong offering further afield and support existing and new events that draw visitors in; providing better business support; enhancing the town’s appearance and environment and taking steps to make visits to the town even more safe and secure. A manager would be employed to lead these ambitious plans.
