BUSINESSES in Newport could soon be helping to revitalise the city centre if they vote to create a Business Improvement District in next month's ballot. BECKY CARR looks at why businesses should vote yes.

A MONTH-long ballot is the only thing now standing in the way of the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) in Newport.

The official launch of the proposal, called Newport Now, took place in the city last week following 15 months of hard work by project manager Tom Evans and his BID team, employed by regeneration organisation The Means.

A five-year plan has been developed which will be put into place if businesses vote yes in November’s ballot.

The plan will then use an annual levy of 1.25 per cent of the rateable value of eligible business units to improve the city.

Chairman of Newport Now, Alan Edwards, said: “We know that Newport is full of potential.

“It is well-connected, boasts a proud heritage and has a strong business community.

“But for too long we have seen our city centre fall behind competing areas, which has resulted in the departure of long established businesses.

“The reasons for this are numerous and some are beginning to be addressed by new developments and growing investments.

“Yet, speaking to fellow businesses, it is clear that our city centre suffers from an image problem and often feels unsafe for visitors and employees.

“To address these issues and deliver real change we are seeking to form a BID – a business-led and business-funded organisation.”

The BID will represent 450 businesses in Newport who will help to generate more than £1 million for the city over five years.

The proposal estimates £200,000 will be collected from businesses in the first year, £206,000 in the second and £212,180 in the third.

To improve safety the BID proposes to introduce a uniformed street ambassador scheme to confront anti-social behaviour, a taxi marshal service and a better CCTV operation.

Gateway enhancements are also proposed to improve locations where visitors will first see the city such as the bus station and the lower end of Commercial Street.

So-called ‘grot spots’ will also be tackled, where the BID would work with the city’s street scene team.

To bring visitors to the city the BID would create a brand and marketing campaign to develop a local loyalty scheme and listings website and deliver a programme of events in the city centre.

The proposals insist funds will be used for projects that add to the services that Newport City Council already provides.

The BID would last for five years before businesses will have to vote again on whether to keep the district in place.

The Means has worked on more than 20 BIDS nationally including one of just two in Wales in Merthyr Tydfil.

Merthyr’s BID, called The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil, was approved at a ballot on July 4, 2012 and focused on welcoming, promoting, engaging and transforming the town.

The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil’s steering group chairman Les Byard said at the time: “This is a tremendous result for Merthyr Tydfil town centre.

“It brings together 250 businesses to attract more visitors, improve the perception of safety and focus on the needs of the town.

“There were many who were sceptical about the idea in the beginning.

“But after engaging with the steering group and discussing the proposal in detail, they came to realise its full potential.”

Swansea was the first successful Welsh BID approved in March 2006.

It represents more than 800 businesses in Swansea city centre and has so far invested £2.3 million into delivering its aims.

At the Newport launch, business owners who spoke to the Argus were supportive of the BID.

Jason Williams, of Specsavers, said: “I’ve been a great supporter of the BID from the very beginning.

“I’ve been working in the city centre for 23 years and we’ve certainly seen it in better times.

“I’m hoping we can make Newport a more welcoming place for people to come and visit and attract more businesses to want to come to the city centre.”

Managing partner of Harding Evans Solicitors Zep Bellavia said: “It’s pushing an open door for us. We’ve been in the city since 1870 and we have 120 people work for us. We’d do anything to encourage them to stay in Newport and spend money here.”

Hairdresser Cliff Hacker, of The Nuthouse, said: “I got involved with this a couple of years ago, Alan [Newport Now’s chairman] was talking to me about a new idea and I thought I’ve got to get involved. From little acorns, great trees grow.”

Insurance giant Admiral has also backed the BID, as well as Monmouthshire Building Society and Charter Housing.

Huw Llewellyn, head of property and facilities management at Admiral, said: “Following Admiral’s warm welcome to the city centre from local businesses, I am delighted to back proposals for the BID.

“The BID has the potential to deliver real change and create a better day to day experience for both our staff and other visitors to the city centre.

“It’s been great to participate in the BID steering group and I look forward to continuing to participate should the upcoming ballot provide a positive vote.”

There are 190 BIDs in the UK, if Newport gets the go-ahead it will be the third in Wales.

Abergavenny and Maindee have also expressed an interest in creating BIDS.

The Welsh Government accepted an application to begin developing a BID in Abergavenny in August and announced funding be used to appoint consultants to help develop a proposal.

Maindee is also to receive £38,200 from the Welsh Government’s town centre partnership fund, some of which will be used to help create a BID.

Cynefin Place co-ordinator Peter Willis said: “This is exciting news for Maindee. The funding will act as a kickstart to bring local people and businesses together to revitalise Chepstow Road shopping district.

“The project will draw in ideas, inspiration and know-how from other high street success stories, but ultimately it puts faith in local people to know what is best for their shopping street and to initiate projects which will help reverse its decline.

“The funding will also help to lever in additional money to complement the projects that are initiated under the town centre partnership.”

The results of the BID ballot will be announced on December 4.

Timeline of Newport's BID

October 2014

BID proposal launched at the Project Space, Newport.

November 2014

Newport City Council will issue voting packs to eligible businesses. The council is running the ballot on behalf of the Newport Now BID Steering Group.

December 3, 2014

Ballot closes.

December 4, 2014

Ballot results announced.

January to March 2015

If successful at ballot, the BID company will be established. The company will have a board of directors made up of representatives from BID levy payers including four large businesses, four small businesses, one landowner, one member of the business club, one community member and one statutory body.

April 1, 2015

BID company goes live and first levy is collected.