BUSINESSES will have their say on a second term for the Northwich BID from next Thursday, May 30.

The ‘BID 2’ proposal has been put forward for a renewed five-year scheme, aiming to carry on the work done since 2014.

Ballot papers will be sent out on or after May 30, with a return deadline of June 27 for eligible businesses.

‘BID 2’ promises nearly £1 million of investment for the town centre between 2019 and 2024, with themes covering ‘a unique shopper and visitor experience’, ‘a safer town centre’, ‘business support’ and ‘project management and administration’.

BID manager Jane Hough said: “When I look back over the last five years, when the business community voted ‘yes’ to the first town centre retail BID in Cheshire, I take a real sense of pride in what the BID has delivered over that period.

“We now have an enviable events and festivals annual calendar, which many visitors take pride in, an ambitious destination marketing profile along with a fantastic social media presence in Visit Northwich and Northwich BID.

“Many businesses often tell me that the town centre is cleaner, greener and more accessible to our visitors and they take pride in the floral arrangements and town dressing initiatives that the BID has funded since 2014.”

In feedback from almost 150 businesses, 94 per cent of respondents rated the Northwich BID team as good or excellent.

Jane also highlighted the BID’s training services, working relationships with bodies such as the town and borough councils, and the boosted night-time economy.

She added: “We all know the extent of the challenges we face – lack of public funding, Brexit and the recent effect on retail – but I think with the backing of a successor BID, Northwich is ready for those challenges and we can continue to develop into a vibrant town centre.”

BID chairman Mark Thomas added that there is ‘no plan B for the future management of Northwich town centre’ without a ‘yes’ vote.

If adopted, the BID would be supported by a 1.5 per cent levy on all eligible town centre businesses with a rateable value above £6,000, encompassing Barons Quay, Weaver Square, Witton Street, High Street and more.

The BID projects a total income over five years of £993,330, compared to expenditure of £976,852.

See the full plan online at

northwichbid.co.uk