Vote for the BID for a better future
On the eve of the postal ballot that will determine whether Winchester will become a Business Improvement District (BID), a special reception was held for local businesses at the Mayor's residence.
The BID proposals were the subject of lively discussion at the event hosted by Mayor of Winchester Cllr Chris Pines at Abbey House on Tuesday 19 June. The evening was arranged to help encourage businesses within the proposed BID boundary to use their vote - which gives them an important say on the future of Winchester city centre.
Twenty representatives of businesses and organisations from Winchester city centre attended the reception to discuss the BID proposals and guests had the chance to discuss plans in more detail with the Winchester City Centre Partnership who have led the project to this point.
The Mayor was delighted to host the reception at Abbey House, and said: "The BID project has reached a critical time and its fate is now in the hands of our business community. I hope that those with whom I spent an enjoyable evening will seize the opportunity to make their voices heard, and will encourage others to do the same."
Paul Morgan of Warrens Commercial Office Supplies remarked that the evening was "an excellent chance to meet new people and discuss their views on the BID", and Jennifer McNeill of South East Employers agreed that it was a useful forum to thrash out the benefits of the BID. "Our thanks go to Cllr Pines for hosting the evening", she said.
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. Businesses have until 26 July to cast their vote.
The Business Improvement District proposals cover Winchester city centre, and include plans for a cleaner, safer and better promoted city. The details of the proposal may be viewed in Winchester City Council offices, or online at www.winchester.gov.uk/CouncilandDemocracy , or they can be viewed at Winchester City Centre partnership offices in The Brooks shopping centre, or online at www.wincity.uk.com/wccp/bid .
Notes
For further information, contact Graham Love, Winchester City Centre Manager, Winchester City Centre Partnership, 1st Floor The Brooks Shopping Centre, Winchester, SO23 8QY or telephone 01962 850390.
Alternatively, contact Kate Crawford, Economic Development Officer, Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ or telephone 01962 848563.
The photo shows Paul Morgan of Warrens Commercial Office Supplies, and Jennifer McNeill of South East Employers, toasting the BID with Cllr Chris Pines, Mayor of Winchester.