final stockton bid proposal

stocktonBIDBusiness Improvement District

Ballot Open 22 April - 19 May 2016

www.stocktonbid.co.uk

Ballot Open 22 April - 19 May 2016

www.stocktonbid.co.uk

hlc0038 Photograph on page 3 by Chapman Brown Photography

Contact InformationThe Rediscover Stockton Shop

134b High Street, Stockton Town Centre, TS18 1LPTel: 07900 608 085

Email: [email protected]

Proposal for a

Stockton Business Improvement District

VoteYes!

VoteYes!

stocktonBIDBusiness Improvement District

2

Contents

Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May | 3

What could the Business Improvement District do for Stockton? 5

What is a Business Improvement District (BID)? 11

Why is there a need for a BID in Stockton? 11

What you told us are your priorities for the town. 12

Where is the area covered by the BID? 13

How will the BID be funded? 14

Who will manage the BID? 18

How will we know if its working? 19

Who will decide whether or not there will be a BID? 19

When will the decision be made? 20

How much would it cost you? 21

What happens after the vote? 23

This is a summary of the Stockton BID Proposal. For more information please refer to the Stockton BID Business Plan 2016 - 2021 available to view and download at: www.stocktonbid.co.uk or you can request a copy by writing to:

The Stockton BID Co-ordinator, The Rediscover Stockton Shop, 134B High Street, Stockton Town Centre Stockton TS18 1LP

[email protected] ( 07900 608 085

Stockton is an exciting place to be right now. We have a fabulous town centre with a fantastic choice of shops and businesses and some of the regions most attractive public spaces. The high street, the riverside and the historic yards and lanes linking them together should be the envy of our competitors. We have huge potential in Stockton but to release it we need the businesses to work together and be part of this initiative. Its time to stop talking about what we could do and put our resources together to make it happen right now! Jemma Radestock, Store Manager, Marks and Spencer and Chair of Stockton BID Steering Group

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What could the Business Improvement District do for Stockton town centre?

Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May | 5

6 good reasons to support the BID:

1 Business Leadership - local businesses will run the BID.

2 New investment - 400+ businesses collectively investing over 1million.

3 Action - the ring-fenced fund means business priorities will be addressed.

4 Economies of scale - more can be achieved for less by working together.

5 Additional - BID activities will not duplicate existing public services.

6 Influence - the BID can be a significant business voice with real influence.

1 To market and promote Stockton as one of Englands premier market towns, with a distinctive offer of shops, markets & events, as well as some of the best entertainment, leisure and recreation in the region;

2 To make Stockton town centre an accessible and convenient destination for residents, visitors and workers throughout the day and in the evenings;

3 To encourage enterprise in Stockton, filling empty units with new or expanding businesses

to grow the towns offer and to continue to improve its overall appeal;

4 To develop the town centre as a customer-friendly environment where shoppers and visitors can feel relaxed and enjoy themselves during the daytime and in the evenings;

5 To build, through the BID, an effective partnership between the towns businesses, organisations and the local authority for the benefit of Stocktons businesses and wider community.

The Stockton BID will deliver on 5 objectives. These are:

4 | Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May

Convenient

Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May | 76 | Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May

Businesses working together for StocktonThe Stockton BID will fund a programme of projects and activities with clear purpose to generate more footfall and improve trading conditions across the town centre, but the BID will do much more than fund new activities. The BID will deliver its aims and objectives by bringing businesses together to make better use of the resources already in the town, influencing the decisions that affect their businesses and services, and being proactive in selling all that is good about the town.

The priorities and programme for Stocktons Business Improvement District can be described in summary as 5 Cs: Confident, Convenient, Competitive, Customer-friendly and Co-ordinated.

ConfidentThe impression that people have of a place can be significant to its economic success as people make decisions on what they see, what they hear and what they read. Peoples perceptions of Stockton as a place to live, work or visit can be influenced by images seen in the media, by conversations between friends, and the experiences they have when visiting the town centre.

The businesses in Stockton town centre want to be in a place with a clear identity and to project a positive image that promotes all that the town centre offers in a smart and professional manner that shows growing confidence.

The BID will implement a comprehensive multi-media campaign to publicise and promote the shops and services in Stockton town centre, to be delivered in 3 parts:

i) Identity and brand Creation of distinctive identity and brand for the

advertising and place marketing of Stockton town centre.

ii) Stockton online Development of a consumer website and dedicated

town centre App including directory of shops, services, live promotions, incentives, discount vouchers, etc.

The development of a digital marketing strategy and co-ordinated social media campaign including promotions, incentives & discounts to raise awareness of the town centre offer and encourage more visits.

iii) Events & street entertainment Sponsorship and promotion for specific events &

street entertainment where these raise the profile of Stockton town centre in the media.

The businesses in Stockton town centre want their customers to arrive at their doors as conveniently as possible, whether they arrive by car, by public transport or any other mode. Town centre businesses need to be able to compete on more of a level playing field with the supermarkets and the retail parks where customers take advantage of the free parking. With the choices available, the convenience and price of visiting Stockton town centre may determine where customers choose to go for their goods and services.

As an important part of the BIDs aim to increase footfall in the town centre, the BID will introduce schemes to encourage customers to rediscover Stockton by increasing awareness of the relatively low cost of parking in the town, and where the best deals are for discounts and offers on car park charges, and bus and rail fares.

Making it easier for residents, visitors and workers to access Stockton town centre throughout the day, and in the evening, will be delivered in 2 parts:

i) Car parking incentives

Working closely with Stockton Borough Council, and cooperating with the shopping centres, the Stockton BID will introduce more incentives for people to visit and use the town centre. The BID will devote a part of its budget to increase the frequency of specific car parking promotions and offers, using local knowledge of the type of initiative that has proved successful, such as Free After 3, First Hour Free, or Buy One Get One Free to encourage visitors to come to the town centre, to park and to stay longer.

The promotions will need to be flexible, to allow the BID to draw on the lessons learned from successful car parking initiatives tested elsewhere and the freedom to negotiate the best possible deal for the businesses of Stockton town centre.

ii) Public transport information and incentives

Stockton BID will also raise awareness of the public transport options, as well as encouraging and incentivising people from across the surrounding area to visit and use the town centre. The BID will work with the service providers to promote greater patronage of public transport into the town centre, and seek to influence the level and frequency of services into the centre.

Customer-Friendly

Competitive


The BID will deliver a three-pronged approach to drive forward the competiveness of the town centre by improving the appearance and viability of the businesses and the place.

Firstly, it will address the concerns about empty shop units and vacant premises by sponsoring a new initiative to encourage new and expanding businesses to grow and thrive in Stockton. This can combine the need to stimulate new entrepreneurial activity in the town centre with the need to change perceptions about the towns future. Filling shops and offices with people who just need a helping hand to try out their ideas will extend Stocktons retail and services offer and create a more attractive destination for local shoppers and visitors.

Secondly, the BID will continue the work to improve the appearance of the town centre by encouraging new and expanding businesses to fill the vacant premises and consequently extending Stocktons retail and services offer.

Thirdly, the BID will create the opportunity for businesses to make potential cost savings through bulk purchase, using the BID as a means to co-ordinate a brand new scheme that could save on the costs of running a business in the town centre.

Helping the town centre to become more competitive will be delivered in 3 parts:

i) Filling empty premises

Devise and implement a shop-filling strategy, cooperating with landlords, their agents and the local authority to match businesses to vacant premises and, where practical, to assist with their initial set up such as facilitating new pop-up shops through purchase and loan of equipment or other practical means to allow new and expanding businesses to trial their business idea in the town centre.

ii) Taking pride in our town

A new initiative between businesses and the community, sponsoring projects and activities that contribute to brightening up the town centre, with a specific focus on the yards and streets surrounding the High Street.

iii) Improving business viability

Create opportunities for businesses to benefit from bulk purchase by establishing a scheme for businesses in the town centre to pay for trade waste, recycling, insurance, advertising, decorating and other essentials as part of a group.

A common complaint arising during consultations in Stockton referred to the harmful consequences of anti-social behaviour and the damage to the towns reputation arising from incidents of petty crime and public nuisance.

The BID will contribute to efforts to promote a customer-friendly environment, helping businesses to be vigilant and aware of any potential problems. The BID will do this by enhancing existing networks and helping to equip them to respond to any concerns, thereby reducing the risks and potential harm to businesses in the town centre.

This will be delivered in 3 parts:

i) Awareness raising

Plan and implement a campaign to make businesses, their staff and customers aware of activities already in place in Stockton town centre to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.

ii) Training

Support the delivery of a deterrent training scheme for staff and volunteers operating across Stockton town centre.

iii) Support Network

Work with partners to extend and enhance the security system across the BID area, in addition to the existing CCTV and Community Safety Officers, to deliver a safe and customer-friendly environment for everyone.

Working for a local charity which has been serving the people of Stockton for over 30 years, I believe that anything that improves the local environment, and helps local people to use and enjoy the towns facilities is very important in strengthening the community spirit and pride we all have in this place. By working together under a BID structure, businesses, independents and nationals, charities and others can combine our collective energies and drive to return Stockton back to its rightful place as one of the most iconic and popular high streets in the North East, a Business Improvement District has the potential to be a key element in that goal.Chris Butler, Five Lamps

What is a Business Improvement District (BID)?

Co-ordinated


Stockton town centre can make more of its potential to be a vibrant town centre into the evening, particularly as a place for food, drink & entertainment catering for a variety of age groups and tastes.

Working towards a safe and welcoming town centre, where shoppers, visitors and workers can feel relaxed and enjoy themselves in the evenings will be delivered in 2 parts:

i) Food & Drink Week

A new collaboration between the businesses to promote all that the town centre offers in the evening.

ii) Alive After Five

Co-ordinated programme of regular events, live music and entertainment to bring Stockton town centre to life.

The implementation of these 5 Cs represents a package of projects and activities that on their own would have only limited impact. By delivering these together the impact could be expected to be more substantial, not least because the projects and activities proposed are mostly connected and inter-dependent. The co-ordinated approach of the BID is designed to address the priorities set out by the towns businesses and address them in a way that can create a real buzz and excitement in the town, to generate enthusiasm and make Stockton a place that even more people will want to come to.

The Business Improvement District (or BID) is a business-led initiative that takes advantage of government legislation giving local businesses the power to raise their own funds to spend on their priorities in order to improve their trading environment.

As the name suggests, the BID must be a precisely defined geographical area of a town, city, or commercial district where the business ratepayers are invited to vote on a proposal to invest collectively in local improvements that are additional to those currently provided by local government.

Why is there a need for a BID in Stockton?Several challenges facing businesses in Stockton town centre can also be found in many other town and city centres across the UK. A variety of social, economic, technological and political factors seem to be conspiring against the places we have traditionally used for our shopping and services. An increasing number of those places are recognising that the customers that many once took for granted will diminish in number unless there is a concerted effort to keep hold of them.

There are now over 200 BIDs across the UK, and their numbers are growing, reflecting a trend towards a well organised, professionally-managed trading environment that should be better equipped to compete and prosper.

In Stockton town centre the businesses owners, managers and other key stakeholders have shared their thoughts and perspectives on what are the main challenges facing their particular businesses and organisations. They have also set out several shared priorities that demand immediate attention. These priorities provide the basis for this proposal and they are used to set the agenda for the Business Improvement District.

I think this really does give the business community, if we all pull together, a real opportunity to help make Stockton the thriving and bustling environment it deserves to be. Jason Maxwell, The Buttery

The BID initiative shows a fantastic appetite for local businesses to work together to maximise the potential of Stocktons existing assets, further increasing the social, economic and cultural health of the town.Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive, ARC

The BID will help to unite independents with chains so that we all have a say in what happens in the town centre.Amey McGrogan, Mini Munchkins


What you told us are your priorities for the town centre Where is the area covered by the BID?

Over 100 written submissions have been received from businesses in Stockton during the summer and autumn of 2015. The most common points are summarised below and illustrated with just some of the actual comments received.

The Stockton BID area will focus on the town centre.

The Challenges The Positives The Priorities for Actionhow we can work together to improve Stockton.

Stockton businesses need more advertising.

Town is empty on an evening or late afternoon.

a busier, happier place to visit.

rebrand is needed to promote Stockton as a quality shopping experience.

Make it easier and cheaper to park.

Giving customers at least 1 hour free parking.

Difficult bus journey from Ingleby Barwick & a massive amount of people who live here.

Tidying up and smartening areas in and around the town such as old shop fronts.

Aim to fill empty units.

Cheaper rent/rates to fill shops.

Work together for a safe night life in Stockton.

Deter beggars, nuisance behaviour, etc.

Zero tolerance with begging, crime, people on bikes, litter.

Focus on what great shops we have, not what we havent got.

Widest High Street in England!

The market.

The riverside.

Stockton is small enough to give good quality customer service and something different.

The fountains are a big attraction to all. The Stockton flyer - when it arrives.

Pleasant, friendly, great history.

Flat accessible shopping for those with mobility difficulties.

Marketing & promotion of Stockton town centre and what it offers.

All retailers to come together in a shared approach to marketing and business promotions.

Better advertising of whats available in the town.

Convenient & affordable access to the town centre throughout day & evening.

Try promoting the free hour parking.

Filling empty units and brightening the appearance of the town centre.

Biggest priority is filling vacant units to entice shoppers in.

Creating a pleasant, welcoming town centre throughout the day & evening.

[welcome] any initiatives that reduce/discourage the low level anti-social/aggressive behaviour evident during the day on and around the high street.


The BID will be funded in two ways:

i) BID Levy Income

The BID Levy will be calculated at one and a half percent (1.5%) of the current Rateable Value (using latest available Valuation Office Agency survey data) for each property. There will be no annual inflation increase. The BID levy once calculated will be charged as a flat rate i.e. the amount will not change, for the 5 years duration of this Business Plan.

The BID Levy will apply to all properties (hereditaments) within the defined BID area with the exception of hereditaments with a Rateable Value of less than 5,000 and premises categorised as community centres or non-trading charitable organisations in receipt of charitable relief. For instance, charities with shops and/or cafes on the premises are trading and will be charged because they are expected to benefit from marketing and improvements to the town centre and it is expected that the majority will want to play an equal role in the local business community.

The Stockton BID area includes 440 hereditaments with a Rateable Value of 5,000 and over. Their combined Rateable Value (RV) is a calculation based on the existing RV survey information. The combined Rateable Value is 14,137,450. The levy can raise 212,062 gross per annum or 1,060,309 over the 5 year term of the Stockton BID.

How will the BID be funded? ii) Other funding The Stockton BID will not be limited to income

derived from the BID Levy and can expect to raise further funds from:

voluntary contributions;

grants;

sponsorship & advertising revenue.

The Stockton BID can attract these other funds towards specific items or activities identified within the programme of projects as part of the delivery of the Business Plan. In particular, businesses within the town and surrounding borough will be encouraged to support the implementation of the Stockton BID and its considerable potential to deliver wider benefits both to the town and to the Tees Valley area. Voluntary contributions can help to ensure that the benefits of activities such as marketing extend to areas beyond the defined BID area.

Stockton BID creates a significant fund that has the potential to draw in further investment, including grant assistance from government as well as other sources such as the National Lottery and other grant distributing bodies.

Some of the projects can also expect to attract sponsorship, again for specific items or activities that bring corporate benefits e.g. the sponsorship of the towns festivals or online applications.

The total income for the delivery of this 5 year programme based on income both from the BID Levy and from other contributions will be at least 1 million.

The programme budget aims to achieve around 80% of resources being spent directly on the project outputs and activities as described above, although there will inevitably be some initial setting up costs in year one. The costs of administering the BID will include:

BID levy collection administration fee;

Setting up (including registering and insuring) the Stockton BID Company;

Professional fees such as an accountant;

Advertising for, and contracting, the services of a part-time BID Manager to commission and manage the delivery of projects and activities set out in the BID business plan (Refer to the 5 Cs).

We aim to provide a shopping experience that showcases our great community spirit, convenience for locals and good value, as well as easy and enjoyable for all. The proposal for a town centre BID clearly shares these aims and that is why we will be voting YES.Karen Eve, Manager, Castlegate Shopping Centre

Stockton International Riverside Festival 2015

A Business Improvement District will give businesses and organisations in Stockton-on-Tees the opportunity to share with a wider audience what a great variety of shops, markets and events we have to offer. No one understands the needs of our customers and clients more so than the local business community. Working together on this 1million investment gives us an opportunity to change public perception of Stockton-on-Tees, so it becomes their first choice town. Janice Auton, Owner, Poppys Hairdressing

The costs of collection, are estimated by Stockton Borough Council to be 15,000 per year. The forecast expenditure plan has been calculated using the Non-Domestic Rates data, correct at 1 September 2015 and summarised below:

BID budget forecast for the 5 year term INCOME 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Total

BID Levy 212,062 212,062 212,062 212,062 212,061 1,060,309

Other Funding 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 40,000

TOTAL 220,062 220,062 220,062 220,062 220,061 1,100,309

EXPENDITURE 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Total

1.Confident 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 350,000

2. Convenient 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 200,000

3. Competitive 20,000 30,000 32,000 33,000 35,000 150,000

4. Customer- friendly

6,000 12,000 13,000 14,000 15,000 60,000

5. Co-ordinated 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 70,000

BID Running Costs*

40,412 41,412 42,412 43,413 44,645 212,294

Start-up costs 5,000 0 0 0 0 5,000

Contingency 5%

10,603 10,603 10,603 10,603 10,603 53,015

TOTAL 182,015 206,015 222,015 237,016 253,248 1,100,309

Balance c/f 38,047 52,094 50,141 33,187 0

* with annual uplift for inflation.

Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May |1716 | Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May

Budget Year 1: September 2016 to August 2017 INCOME EXPENDITURE

BID Levy 212,062 1.Confident 50,000

Voluntary contributions & grants 8,000 2. Convenient 40,000

3. Competitive 20,000

4. Customer-friendly 6,000

5. Co-ordinated 10,000

SUB-TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 126,000

Administration (Project delivery) 25,412

Administration (Levy collection) 15,000

Start-up costs 5,000

SUB-TOTAL RUNNING COSTS 40,412

Contingency 10,603

TOTAL 220,062 TOTAL 182,015

Santanders support for the Stockton BID is entirely consistent with our commitment to the healthy high streets initiative, to breathe new life into our town centres and revitalise the high street.Tony Grainger, Local Business Manager, Santander Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May | 1918 | Vote YES! | 22 April - 19 May

Subject to the outcome of the ballot, the Stockton BID will be implemented through the creation of a Stockton BID Company. This not-for-profit body will be registered as a company limited by guarantee with a board of directors drawn from, and representative of, the diverse business and organisational interests within the BID area. All businesses eligible to vote in the BID ballot will be invited to nominate themselves or other eligible persons to be considered for directorship and to be part of the BID company board. This is planned to be a board of 10-16 members to be representative of the diverse business interests across the town - to be specified in the BID Companys Articles of Association.

The Stockton BID Company and Board of Directors will be accountable to the BID levy payers for the delivery of the Stockton BID business plan and proposed arrangements.

The Stockton BID Company Board of Directors will meet regularly. Every levy-paying business will be eligible to be a member of the BID and vote at Annual General Meetings on the activities of the Stockton BID. The Board will appoint a person to manage operations and work with businesses and the appropriate agencies to oversee the delivery of the programme of projects.

The Stockton BID area and the levy percentage cannot be altered without an alteration ballot. However, the BID projects, costs and timescales can be altered subject to the Stockton BID Company Board of Directors approval and providing that changes fall within the income of the BID and do not compromise the efforts to achieve the BIDs stated aims and objectives.

Who will manage the BID?The performance and effectiveness of the BID will require careful monitoring to ensure that the money from the BID levy payers is being used productively in the delivery of the BID Business Plan throughout the 5 year term. The Stockton BID board will use a toolkit of key performance indicators to monitor and review progress, using the information to make adjustments and allocate resources between the budget headings where there is a sound business case to do so.

Key performance indicators will initially include the following:

Total number of commercial units - rateable properties within BID area

Number of vacant units - regular survey by number and business use

Number of markets/traders - regular survey

Footfall - regular footfall survey

Car parking - availability and usage survey

Business confidence - regular survey

Town centre users/customer survey - regular survey

Shoppers origin - postcode survey

This list is not exhaustive and may be added to at the discretion of the BID company board.

I welcome the opportunity to work with my local business community to collectively agree what we need to do to compete and grow Stockton as a destination. I believe a BID with specific shared objectives can make a measured difference to all businesses in Stockton. Louise Knapton, Store Manager, Boots

How will we know if its working?

The ballot will be conducted through a confidential postal vote. Ballot papers will be sent to all persons entitled to vote, defined as Non-Domestic Ratepayers for hereditaments within the defined Business Improvement District (refer to map) where the Rateable Value of the property is 5,000 and above, and who are ratepayers on the day of the publication of the formal 42 days notice of ballot.

Where a person has more than one hereditament within a BID area, that person will get a vote for each hereditament. A proxy vote is available and details will be sent out with ballot papers.

The BID levy will not apply to hereditaments with a Rateable Value below 5,000 and those hereditaments occupied by non-trading, charitable organisations such as community centres. These hereditaments will be exempt from the BID levy and will not be eligible to vote.

For the BID to be established there must be a majority vote in favour of the BID Proposal. This must satisfy two tests:

A simple majority by number of those voting and;

Those voting in favour must represent a majority of the aggregate rateable value.

Who will decide whether or not there will be a Stockton BID?

Stockton is a key location for Darlington Building Society and the investment in our Branch means that we have excellent space to share with our Members and organisations in the Town.Colin Fyfe, Chief Executive, Darlington Building Society


The final date of the ballot is scheduled for Thursday 19 May 2016. The postal ballot papers will be issued to eligible voters at least 28 days in advance of this date. The result of the ballot will be announced on Friday 20 May or whenever is practicable thereafter.

Stockton High Street is full of enterprising and established businesses. Working collaboratively across all sectors will strengthen links and we can be a stronger force working together for the future of our High Street.Helen Simmons, Hewitts Solicitors

When will the decision be made?

A BID levy, calculated as 1.5% (one and a half percent) of the Rateable Value of each property (hereditament) will be charged to each qualifying ratepayer. The BID levy will be set by 1st August 2016 based on the most current Non-Domestic Ratings list and will, thereafter, be charged annually at a flat rate for the full 5 year term of the BID. The levy may only be updated for changes in ratepayer, appeals, additions or removals.

The BID levy will be charged to any new ratepayers where they will be occupying properties (hereditaments) within the BID area (map refers) and within the five year term of the BID, even though they did not vote on the initial proposal. Likewise, any new rateable property created during the lifetime of the BID will be obliged to pay the levy provided they are within the BID boundary and do not meet the exemption criteria. If a business ratepayer occupies premises for less than one year, the amount of BID levy payable will be calculated pro rata on a daily basis.

The BID levy will not be payable for the first three months that a property is empty; this is extended to six months for industrial premises such as warehouses, factories, distribution centres, thereafter the full BID levy will apply regardless of changes of ownership/tenant.

The BID levy will not be affected by the Small Business Rate Relief or Charitable Rate Relief schemes and businesses who already pay service charges to landlords will not receive any discount. The registered business ratepayer will be entitled to vote and also obliged to pay the BID levy with no void period.

The BID levy will not apply to hereditaments with a Rateable Value below 5,000 and hereditaments occupied by non-trading, charitable organisations such as community centres.

For the majority (62%) of businesses above the 5,000 threshold, the financial contribution to the BID will be equivalent to less than 1 per day, or the cost of a small snack bar. Only 14% of levy paying businesses will be expected to pay an amount that exceeds the cost of a daily cup of coffee (2.20).

How much will it cost you?

We opened our new venue, the Wasps Nest bar, in Stockton Town Centre in June 2015. Since then trade has been steadily growing, but there are times when it is quiet, particularly midweek evenings. These kind of initiatives helping to bring families and new customers into the town, creating a family friendly environment, are just what is needed.There is always a big increase in trade when events like SIRF, Fireworks night, and Christmas markets are on, so more activity will be very welcome!Shaun Crake, Owner, The Wasps Nest

The comparisons above are used to illustrate one of the benefits of businesses working together in large numbers. The Stockton BID is a formal arrangement where all businesses can be required to pay but, in so doing, the financial burden is shared or spread and this keeps the contributions of each individual business to a minimum.

Rateable Value (RV) Annual cost @ 1.5% RV Weekly cost equivalent Daily cost equivalent

< 5,000 Nil Nil Nil

5,000 75 1.44 20p

10,000 150 2.88 41p

15,000 225 4.33 62p

25,000 375 7.21 1.03

50,000 750 14.42 2.06

75,000 1,125 21.63 3.09

100,000 1,500 28.84 4.12

250,000 3,750 72.11 10.30

500,000 7,500 144.23 20.60

What happens after the vote?During the period from the declaration of the result on or around 20 May 2016 to the commencement date on 1 September 2016, the Chair of the BID Steering Group (the BID Proposer) will liaise with Stockton Borough Council to put in place the administration and billing systems for collecting the BID levy and its transfer to the BID Company accounts (via an Operating Agreement). The Steering Group will also run the recruitment process to appoint the first Directors for the BID Company. Details of this, including the nomination papers, will be sent out to all those eligible for the BID levy.

It will be a vital, and landmark moment in Stocktons future if we become a Business Improvement District. It provides a unique, and extremely empowering opportunity to our businesses, to decide, and action a continual growth plan. There is a reason why BIDs are successful worldwide, and although weve come a long way as a town, in my eyes, this is the last push. There is an incredible amount of insight, knowledge and passion within our town businesses, a BID will bring all of that together and march us forward, with the ultimate aim of growing how we should, and deserve to as a town.Joanna Wake, Managing Director, RAW Digital Training


The BID can make a positive difference to many businesses, including ours, by introducing a co-ordinated and managed programme of promotions and events to encourage more people to enjoy an evening out in Stockton town centre.Wendy Sayers, Owner, Mohujos