BID for a better future - use your vote!
The Chief Executive of Winchester City Council has cast his vote in the Business Improvement District (BID) ballot. Showing the council's support for the project, he put an 'X' in the 'yes' box of his voting slip, due back to the returning officer by 26 July.
Every rateable property within the proposed BID boundary has been sent a ballot paper. This is the business community's chance to vote on whether they agree with the BID business plan, and if they want to see the plan put into action. Projects in the BID business plan will benefit all city centre businesses and employers, by making the city a cleaner, greener, safer place to do business. Being associated with a prestigious location
Cllr George Beckett, Leader of Winchester City Council, and portfolio holder for economy and tourism is encouraging all city centre businesses to use their vote: "This is real democracy in action. Members of our business community have a chance to vote for what they want to see happen in the city centre - projects that will make a real difference to their future success. If you have a vote, make sure you use it!
"It is a real benefit to businesses to be associated with a prestigious business location. The BID will help to put Winchester on the business map, bringing benefits to every enterprise based here. With the BID in place, Winchester will be cleaner with less graffiti and fly posting, greener with more floral decorations, and safer with more visible with Police Community Support Officers on the street."
For the BID to be successful, more than 50% of the businesses who vote must vote positively and this must represent at least 50% of the total rateable value of the BID area. A winning vote could see more street decorations, more community policing, a hit squad for graffiti and a marketing campaign to raise awareness of Winchester as a shopping destination.
If your business is in the city centre but you have not received your ballot paper, contact the council's elections team on 01962 840 222. The ballot is the deciding moment for the BID which has been developed in consultation with businesses over the last six months.
Businesses in the city centre are all urged to back the BID as a way to make Winchester a cleaner, greener and safer place in which to live and do business.