BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019 I OUR PLEDGE TO CHESTER

One City. One Voice

£2.5 MILLION

YOUR VOTEYOUR BIDChester is a unique city for many reasons including its architecture, history and heritage as well as its wonderful shopping experiences. But while it has many advantages and strengths, its economy has suffered in the recession and the time is right to work together as one voice to improve the city’s economic prospects.

Chester’s retail ranking has slipped in the last 15 years and through the work of CH1ChesterBID and its board members, the aim is to ensure that Chester will be the retail, business and leisure destination of choice for our residents, investors and visitors.

In February 2013, Groundwork Cheshire was commissioned to undertake an independent Chester City Business Improvement Consultation, with the aim of providing an evidence base on which a step change could be made to improve Chester city centre as a trading environment.

All businesses within Chester city centre were encouraged to take part in the consultation and over 400 businesses provided comments and opinions back to Groundwork Cheshire, representing over 7,000 employees. Responses were received from a range of businesses in the city centre with 61% of the responses being contributed by retailers, 13% by restaurants, and 12% from the professional and business services sector.

Hotels, clubs, pubs, bars, tourism and third sector organisations also contributed responses. One particular question – “how important is it for your business to have a single, independent, dedicated body responsible for managing improvements in Chester city centre?” – received an overwhelming 72% positive response, stating it was ‘important’ or ‘very important’. Further consultation led to the creation of a private sector, business-led board committed to implementing a Business Improvement District (BID) within the city centre subject to a successful vote in June 2014.

A ‘YES’ vote will generate over £2.5m of new money to be reinvested into the heart of this great city over the next five years.

Vote ‘YES’ to improving our city centre, vote ‘YES’ to improving our visitor welcome VOTE ‘YES’ for action!

SECTION ONE

Paul Daniels | CH1ChesterBID Chairman

2 3

CONTENTS03 Section One CH1ChesterBID Chairman’s introduction

04 Section Two CH1ChesterBID Initiatives

05 Section Three Member benefits

13 Section Four Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

15 Section Five BID facts

16 Section Six CH1ChesterBID area map

17 Section Seven Putting Chester into context with the rest of the region

18 Section Eight Delivery timeline

19 Section Nine CH1ChesterBID Company governance and structure

20 Section Ten CH1ChesterBID finances

22 Section Eleven Current service levels delivered by CWaC

23 Section Twelve BID ballot rules and facts

25 Section Thirteen Who is CH1ChesterBID?

26 Section Fourteen BID logos

27 Section Fifteen Why vote ‘Yes’?

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CH1ChesterBID IS ALREADY WORKING IN THE CITY...

SECTION THREESECTION TWO

MEMBER BENEFITSThe CH1ChesterBID Company board is represented in the main by business owners, managers and entrepreneurs who all fully understand the need to drive sales and boost the bottom line, without red tape.

Whilst a successful BID will only cost 1% of businesses rateable value, being a member of the CH1ChesterBID will bring a number of benefits, all of which have been selected to deliver members a significant return on their investment. These are tangible benefits and savings that should far outweigh any additional costs that the BID member will incur by paying a BID levy of 1%.

Building and strengthening

relationships across the city and with

the local authority, Cheshire West and

Chester (CWAC)

Full time City Centre Manager (for the first time

since 2008)

# Chester Kissmas

social media campaign

Roman-themed visitor welcome programme for coach visitors

Additional Street

Pastors

Improved dedicated Chester

social media campaign

Brand new CH1 Website

4 5

Business savings through a CH1ChesterBID group procurement and discount scheme

SECTION THREE I BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019

CH1ChesterBID understand that being asked to pay 1% of your rateable value has to deliver a significant return on that investment and CH1ChesterBID are committed to demonstrating this by saving businesses money wherever possible. We will secure cheaper tariffs on all utility bills as well as other business related costs. We will work on your behalf to ensure the deals presented to you through CH1ChesterBID will put money back into your business and we will commit to reviewing those deals on an annual basis to ensure they remain competitive for you and your business.

Maximising the real advantages of economies of scale CH1ChesterBID will offer a FREE service to all BID members in identifying better deals on:l Energy (electricity/ gas/ water)l Telecoms (phone and broadband)l Waste/recycling costs l Printing and stationery

This major CH1ChesterBID initiative will offer REAL SAVINGS to BID members. It will provide a ‘ONE-STOP SHOP’ with simple and immediate access for all CH1ChesterBID members. This simple process in accessing better deals will be fully explained in a BID members’ information leaflet following a successful vote.

At the heart of every successful BID is a dedicated marketing, promotion and communications plan using a range of media and communication tools including radio, press, leaflets, promotions, guides, apps, and social media. CH1ChesterBID will commission an annual high-quality marketing plan focussed on bringing increased footfall and spend to Chester city centre.

An area that will deliver a significant return on members’ investment will be through business-to-consumer contact.

CH1ChesterBID has gathered data from many of the city’s leading businesses and organisations to build a ‘CH1 Super Database’ of consumers. This database has been built to benefit every single business within the BID area: imagine as a business, being able to communicate with 100,000+ (and growing) people who live in, or visit Chester.

Imagine how much it would cost in time, effort and money to have access to such a huge number of potential customers. A YES vote on June 30th will deliver just that: a fully integrated, cost-effective, shared marketing tool for all BID area businesses.

THE MARKETING CAMPAIGN WILL BE DELIVERED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS, INCLUDING:-l Power to market – using over 100,000+

consumer records, the ‘Super Database’ to promote the city, its events & festivals, promotions and offers

l Social media campaigns, including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn

l Regular E-Newsletters / E-Blastsl Marketing and PR strategy – local, regional,

national and international using a variety of marketing tools and techniques

This will be the first time in the history of Chester that its city centre Businesses will have access to a database of over 100,000 consumer details built exclusively for CH1ChesterBID and members, managed and maintained by the CH1ChesterBID team.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BID MEMBERS?For the first time ever, the city will use this coordinated single database of potential customers to communicate regular information on events, festivals, themed and targeted marketing, promotions and offers. This database will grow as the BID term develops with data capture forming an important part of the overall marketing and events strategy.

Promotion of Chester city centre and its Events and Festivals

CH1ChesterBID will commission an annual high-quality events and festivals programme focussed on boosting footfall and spend. Activity will include:

l Marketing and PR – local, national and international awareness-raising of Chester city centre and its events and festivals

l Dedicated CH1ChesterBID website – a ‘One Stop’ portal for all events and festivals information

l Increase in the number and quality of events particularly at key calendar times, Christmas, summer holidays, Easter, etc.

l Regular, accurate and up-to-date information to all BID members in

advance of key events and festivals in order that city centre businesses

can prepare for them and derive maximum benefits from them for their business.

CH1 Power to Market

6

PROPOSED SPEND 2014-2019

£507,000

PROPOSED SPEND 2014-2019

£498,000

31

2

7

THESE 5 KEY DELIVERABLES ARE:

The 5 KEY DELIVERABLES that will be the main focus of the CH1ChesterBID will bring the most benefits to the BID members and to the city centre.

We are committed to supporting a Business Improvement District as a private sector led forum, essential to deliver tangible improvements and benefits to enhance and protect the future prosperity of the city of Chester.GROSVENOR ESTATE

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There is nothing more important than being made to feel welcome wherever you go. CH1ChesterBID is committed to giving visitors to Chester a world class welcome like no other, giving them reason to return and stay longer and encouraging them to spread the word about how welcoming Chester is as a destination for shopping, business and leisure.

If the welcome is right, people will return and boost the economy of the city and its BID members will benefit.

It is also important that all visitors feel safe when they visit Chester. As well as a city centre police station with a visible on-street uniformed patrol, Chester also has a CABC (Chester Against Business Crime) initiative.

CABC delivers an award-winning radio security system with over 270 city centre members taking advantage of a secure internet system providing up-to-the-minute offender information.

A dedicated on-street CABC presence links directly into the city’s CCTV control room as well as over 270 linked radios.

The CABC service also has a ‘Banned from One, Banned from All’ effective exclusion scheme operating in the city centre. The CABC has been awarded ‘The Safer Business Award’ with Distinction by the Association of Business Crime Partnerships, set up by the Home Office.

CH1ChesterBID will continue its work with CABC to ensure that all visitors, businesses, residents and students continue to benefit from a safe city centre.

SECTION THREE I BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019

4 Chester Welcome Programme

PROPOSED SPEND 2014-2019

£488,000

9

Another important area of the welcome to Chester is ensuring that access to the city centre is as easy and trouble-free as possible, and a pleasant place to spend time. It needs to ensure that the welcome on approaching and entering the city centre is second to none.

CH1ChesterBID WILL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

l Improved welcome signage – where possible multi lingual in order to welcome our international visitors. This CH1-branded signage will be visible at key points across the city including coach stops, bus stops, train station and in and around the city centre

l An enhanced programme of seasonal planting throughout the BID area

l A CH1ChesterBID welcome programme – making best use of local knowledge we will introduce a Street Concierge Service

The concierge service will welcome people around the city centre, signposting people, highlighting the city’s heritage, providing important information on getting around the city and even carrying their shopping bags for them!

In short, the Street Concierge Service will offer a welcome to be proud of. They will be easy to spot for visitors, residents and CH1ChesterBID members alike as they will wear visible CH1-branded street concierge clothing.

As well as a personal welcome through the concierge service and improved street signage, CH1ChesterBID also recognises that the city centre has to be kept clean and attractive in order for our visitors to want to return time and time again. To achieve this we will fund initiatives that are over and above the responsibility of the council. We will not fund any services already funded through the council.

CH1ChesterBID WILL FUND THE FOLLOWING:

l A rapid response service to any city centre issues, led and delivered through the office of City Centre Manager

l City centre improvements including improved business related signage

l The introduction of additional floral displays and planters

l Improved and additional architectural lights/Christmas lights showcasing the city and its assets

l Street Pastors – CH1 will fund the training costs of additional street pastors to work alongside key agencies on behalf of CH1ChesterBID members in keeping the city centre and its visitors safe

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A BID will contribute directly to helping make Chester a safer city centre.MIKE MEYNELL AND LINDA JENYON, STREET PASTORS

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CH1ChesterBID will offer a cost effective service to all its BID members. It will operate with a lean CH1ChesterBID team in its offices in the city centre. The team will be funded through a small percentage of the BID levy allocated to operational costs. It will also seek voluntary contributions and the use of external resources provided at low cost or in kind to the BID. Operational costs include general office costs, printing, post and stationery, levy collection and administration, contract management and member engagement.

Whilst there are many benefits in living and working in a city as beautiful and unique as Chester, there are also many restrictions in place for the protection of the built environment as well as its visitors and businesses. Frustration is often felt by businesses through a lack of up-to-date information being available, particularly in relation to car parking and parking restrictions.

CH1ChesterBID will produce marketing and communications materials designed to keep all businesses up to date with any new parking initiatives / restrictions. We also will work with all car park owners to introduce and maintain a consistent approach to city centre parking management, including:

l Reduced car parking charges in many city centre car parks (rules and conditions apply)

l Improved car park signage with QR codes linked to CH1ChesterBID.co.uk for city centre offers and benefits

l Modern technology to enable multiple payment choices including pay on exit, pay by phone, text etc

l Introduction of a CH1 information pack to all businesses highlighting car parks, park and ride, operating times, tariffs, parking restrictions in relation to waiting times, loading and unloading

l Help to maintain free parking after 3.00pm to encourage late night shopping incentives

On behalf of BID members, CH1ChesterBID will become a key consultee for any future car parking and transport reviews, changes to traffic regulation orders (TROs) or proposed changes to current parking and enforcement regulations, representing the best interest of CH1ChesterBID members.

All businesses will be provided with a comprehensive map of car parks, including suggested car park choices for their customers complete with applicable tariffs.

Underpinning all of the above is the need for the city to work as One Voice. The businesses need to work together and be supported in their efforts to improve the city’s economic position, which has declined significantly over recent years and is still in decline.

CH1ChesterBID has successfully introduced a full time City Centre Manager who will be the eyes and ears of all businesses, working on their behalf and that of all partners to resolve those smaller issues that cause frustrations on a daily basis, as well as ensuring the longer term plans for the revival of the city are implemented without delay.

Cities perform best when they work together as ‘One Voice’. CH1ChesterBID will provide the link between all businesses and key partners/agencies across the city through the post of City Centre Manager.

The Groundwork Cheshire consultation results stated that 65% of respondents said that it was either ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to know the number of shoppers or visitors in the city on a monthly basis.

CH1ChesterBID will improve business-to-business communication by joining the dots for businesses through the provision of regular, up-to-date business newsletters and statistics on both the health of the city’s economy and footfall figures. CH1ChesterBID will also look into the provision of comparative stats i.e. footfall to sales figures and comparisons with similar Heritage Cities as well as regional and national comparisons. The CH1ChesterBID will also hold quarterly business forums for all BID members to share and receive information.

10 11

One City. One Voice.5

PROPOSED SPEND 2014-2019

£334,000

CONTINGENCY COSTS AT 7%

INDICATIVE ANNUAL SPEND

£30K

OPERATIONAL COSTS 10%

INDICATIVE ANNUAL SPEND

£48K

SECTION THREE I BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019 SECTION THREE I BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019

M&S are supporters of BIDs in over 50 locations across the UK and see them as a valuable method of improving the trading performance of city centres. We are happy to support the Chester BID and are confident it will bring significant benefits over the next 5 years.MARKS AND SPENCER

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WHAT IS A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)?

A BID is a unique way of enabling all businesses in Chester city centre to come together to agree to improvements to the trading environment. A BID is run by the businesses, delivered by the businesses and answerable to the businesses within the CH1ChesterBID area. All eligible businesses within the BID area will be balloted in June 2014 and each will have a vote on whether or not to approve a BID in the city centre.

A BID levy is paid by businesses which is then ring-fenced for all businesses within the BID area and will be managed transparently and fully independently by CH1ChesterBID Company. It will be used to fund the extra services and improvement needed in order to make the trading environment more successful and welcoming to our shoppers and visitors.

These services and improvements must be in addition to those already provided by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC).

WHY NOW?

Chester’s shops and businesses are facing increasing competition from its neighbours and the changing ways in which people shop with an ever growing number of online retailers. The way people spend their leisure time and disposable income is changing. Chester’s retail position in the retail league tables has slipped in the last 15 years to 59th (Source CACI 2013) and is still falling.

Various consultations have been sought over the last few years and the overriding sentiment is that Chester is simply failing to address some very obvious problems and needs to work together to arrest the decline of this fabulous city.

Action is needed NOW before it’s too late for Chester’s businesses. More has to be done to renew and revitalise the city centre. These activities have not and will not be funded by CWaC or any other public sector organisation.

It is a unique opportunity to bring together all businesses as One City. One Voice!

There is no plan B!

If they are not funded through a BID they WILL NOT happen and in the next five years the city centre and its businesses will continue to suffer. The BID provides a chance to take responsibility and bring in over £2.5m of private sector investment to drive collective improvements.

ARE THERE BIDS IN OTHER CITIES AND IF SO, HAVE THEY BEEN SUCCESSFUL?

Over 170 towns and cities in the UK have voted in favour of a BID. Each proposal is different depending on local needs and priorities but they usually focus on safety and security; cleaning and maintenance; events and marketing; evening economy; and signage.

There are countless examples of how these BIDs have delivered tangible benefits. The country’s largest BID in Newcastle (known as NE1) was created in 2009 with 1,200 businesses as BID members. Liverpool has two main BID areas and two new ones about to be launched. Manchester has recently implemented a BID as has Preston, Southport and Cheshire already has two BIDs running successfully.

ARE ALL BUSINESS PROPERTIES INCLUDED IN THE BID LEVY?

No. All businesses in the BID area will benefit from the initiatives, however if a business has a rateable value of less than £18,000 it will be exempt from paying the levy. This threshold has been set as one of the highest in the UK. This means they won’t be eligible to vote on whether a BID is approved for the city centre. There is still of course the opportunity for these non-eligible businesses to contribute to specific campaigns and events, or donate help in-kind to the BID. There are approximately 500 businesses in the CH1 BID area with a rateable value of £18,000 or above who, subject to a successful ‘YES’ vote, will be required to pay the BID levy of 1%.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q

Q

Q

Q

13

SECTION FOUR

As a Chester business owner, I feel strongly that it is the people of Chester who are the key to revitalising the city. In my view, creating a Business Improvement District (BID) in Chester is the best way to achieving this.CHEZ JULES

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DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY THE FULL LEVY IF I AM IN A MANAGED SHOPPING CENTRE AND PAY A LANDLORDS SERVICE CHARGE?

No. The BID levy for any tenant in a managed shopping centre will be subject to a discount not less than .25%. The owners of Chester city centre managed shopping centres understand the importance of the BID for the whole of the city centre as well as the shopping centres and will commit a voluntary contribution to the CH1ChesterBID Company equivalent to the discounted amount, thereby ensuring all tenants benefit from the additional activities of CH1ChesterBID whilst continuing to be supported by their landlord.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T AGREE WITH THE BID LEVY?

All eligible BID businesses will be balloted. This is a standard legal process and they will have an opportunity to vote for or against a BID. A successful YES vote for Chester will deliver over £2.5m over five years. This level of investment may also be increased through voluntary contributions from landowners and supporters from outside the geographical BID area, using the money raised and influence to lever in other public or lottery funds etc. CH1ChesterBID will have a unique opportunity to bring real tangible investment right into the heart of the city.

Once approved all BID members will have to pay the 1% levy irrespective of their voting preferences at the time of the ballot.

For the BID to be successful it needs a majority vote of not less than 51% on two counts:

1 51% of the total number of BID businesses in the BID area

2 51% of the total rateable value of the businesses within the BID area

The levy has been purposefully capped at no more than 1% of the rateable value which, when spread across a year, should be a manageable amount for all businesses. The return on that investment however is far greater than the total contributed by any one business as CH1ChesterBID can potentially deliver better purchasing power and

economies of scale when transacting as a city united rather than individual businesses.

For instance, major Chester city centre marketing campaigns will almost certainly be beyond the budget of most individual businesses but affordable for a BID company working on behalf of its members.

HOW WILL I KNOW MY MONEY IS BEING SPENT APPROPRIATELY?

The CH1ChesterBID will be fully accountable to the BID members. The success of the BID will be measured through a number of key performance indicators, to be determined by the CH1ChesterBID Board as well as through annual reviews, regular reporting to the BID board and members, and through an Annual General Meeting.

It is important that the activities of the BID add value over and above the public services already provided in the BID area. Baseline agreements will be drawn up between CH1ChesterBID Company Ltd and Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) which will clearly define the level and frequency of services provided by the council. CH1ChesterBID will not pay for existing CWaC services but may wish to fund additional services. The costs for these will be shown clearly in the BID expenditure.

WHEN WILL I START TO SEE THE BENEFITS OF THE BID LEVY?

The benefits will by necessity need to be split into short, medium and long-term initiatives over the five year life of the BID but real and tangible ‘early wins’ will be delivered almost immediately, subject to the BID vote result being positive on 30th June.

HOW LONG DOES THE BID LAST?

The Chester BID will operate for five years to 30th June 2019.

l Business Improvement Districts were first introduced in the 1970s and have been going from strength to strength ever since, with BIDs now established around the world, including in Canada, USA, New Zealand, South Africa, Jamaica, Serbia, Albania, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom

l There are over 70 Business Improvement Districts just in New York City alone, all working on behalf of the businesses and contributing a staggering $100 MILLION worth of services to those businesses

l There are currently over 170 towns and cities across the UK with Business Improvement Districts successfully helping to transform the trading areas on behalf of the businesses they represent

l An overwhelming 94% of BIDs are successful at the renewal stage, voted back in by the businesses paying the levy and seeing the difference. This supports the view that BIDs really do deliver on their promises.

l 84% of new BID ballots are voted in immediately at the ballot box

l Over 55,000 businesses in the UK contribute to BIDs by paying a BID levy

l £91M of private sector investment is raised every year across the UK through the BID levy. This money is spent on goods and services that have a positive impact in the trading environment of the town or city of the BID

l Liverpool and Manchester each raise in excess of £1M per year in BID levy which is reinvested directly and entirely into city centre business activity decided upon by the businesses

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BID FACTSDID YOU KNOW?

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

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SECTION FOUR I BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019 SECTION FIVE

CH1ChesterBID AREA MAP

SECTION SIX

The proposed CH1ChesterBID area is highlighted in green in the map .

If you are not sure if your business is included, please contact us.

SECTION SEVEN

New

gate Street

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PUTTING CHESTER INTO CONTEXT WITH THE REST OF THE REGIONThe city of Chester is a vibrant and beautiful destination located within the authority of CWaC in North West England and on the border with North Wales. A desirable place to live, the city is presently home to over 77,000 people, and has a long and celebrated history and heritage. It was founded in 79AD as the ‘Deva Vitrix’ Roman Fort, and preserved at its heart are examples of the best Roman architecture across the country and throughout Europe, drawing in visitors on an international scale.The city centre has always attracted shoppers and tourists to its unique attractions including the galleried Rows, Amphitheatre and the most complete city walls in Britain, yet today Chester is struggling for survival in the increasing world of competition.

Business investment into the city centre is low and Chester is losing ground to other economic centres as a place for business and economic activity. Despite its enviable assets, Chester continues to drop in the retail rankings with significant competition from out-of-town centres and from within the region. The city centre has seen little retail development over many years yet it continues to be an important historic visitor centre with an affluent catchment population and an attractive proposition to retailers, retail investors and developers.

The UK and global markets have had a turbulent few years, resulting in a very testing economic and trading environment. The recession has had a significant impact on consumer, business, investor and developer confidence which has been further eroded by the Eurozone crisis and the UK’s hesitant recovery.

Key trends relating to the retail market currently include:

l GLOBALISATION – Retailers are looking at expanding across the globe, including through global alliances and brand collaboration.

l POLARISATION – More than ever, retail is polarising into premium and value segments, with customers happy to shop at both ends of the market.

l DIGITALISATION – With 25% of all UK retail sales estimated to go online by 2020, (according to the BCSC Retail Report 2012) shoppers are looking for an ‘experience’ – technology is imperative to ensure that the physical space is relevant.

Chester urgently needs new innovative ideas to stem retail leakage and promote the city. CH1ChesterBID will provide a new platform working together as one voice to halt further economic decline, restore consumer confidence in the city and present Chester at its best at all times, making it a place people will want to return to time after time. This will not happen without a ‘YES’ vote for the BID in June.

CHESTERHOLYHEAD

LIVERPOOL

LONDONDOVER

MANCHESTER

EDINBURGH

CARDIFF

BRIMINGHAM

HULL

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DELIVERY TIMELINEA key part of the CH1ChesterBID Business Plan is how and when it is all going to be delivered. The graphic below is an anticipated delivery timeline over the five-year term.

CH1ChesterBID will deliver many more activities and initiatives on behalf of its members, but the timeline illustrates some of the key deliverables we are aiming for, as well as its core deliverables as highlighted in the centre of this visual.

GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE

City Centre Manager

BID Team

BID Advisor

Chairmanand

Directors

Board, Chairman,

Board Members

CH1ChesterBID COMPANY GOVERNANCECH1ChesterBID Company Ltd is a not-for-profit limited by guarantee company with a Board of Directors and an independent private sector Chairman. It is not the Council. It is not run by the Council. Its sole purpose is to support the city centre businesses in Chester to survive and thrive, making Chester a retail, business and leisure destination of choice for its visitors, businesses, residents and students.

In compliance with the Business Improvement District (England) regulations 2004, CH1ChesterBID Company Ltd intends to establish and manage a Business Improvement District in Chester city centre.

CH1ChesterBID BOARDThe Board was formed as a result of the Groundwork Cheshire Business Consultation in Feb 2013. Subject to a successful vote in June 2014, the Board will be open to nomination and election of its existing and new members by all BID members paying a BID levy, through a democratic voting process at the AGM. The BID board will be supported by a competent dedicated CH1ChesterBID team.

CH1ChesterBID PERFORMANCE AND MONITORINGThe CH1ChesterBID board will monitor the progress of the BID team in delivering the activities as agreed in the business plan. The business plan will be subject to an annual review, and where appropriate it will be updated.

Key performance indicators will be monitored by the CH1ChesterBID board on behalf of its members. These will provide both qualitative and quantative information to all BID Members in order that they can see the effects of their direct investments into the BID by their paying of the 1% RV BID levy.

As a minimum (not limited to) CH1ChesterBID measure the following:-

l Increase in footfall

l Increase in footfall to sales ratio

l Increase in customer satisfaction

l Percentage improvement in Chester retail ranking (source CACI)

l Reduction in retail vacancy rates

l Marketing and PR campaign audience reach

l Reduction in operating costs through joint procurement initiatives

SECTION EIGHT SECTION NINE

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CH1 PLEDGE• COST SAVINGS

• ‘’POWER TO MARKET DATABASE’’

• EVENTS & FESTIVALS PROGRAMME

• MARKETING & PR STRATEGY

• ONE CITY. ONE VOICE

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

CCMAPPOINTED

30 JUNE2014

BID BALLOTCH1

BUSINESSFORUMS

LAUNCHED

WELCOMEPROGRAMMELAUNCHED

CH1MYSTERY

SHOPPINGCELEBRATION

EVENT

MARKETINGSPEND

£100,000+

CH1 POWERTO MARKETCAMPAIGNREACHES110,000

CUSTOMERS

SOCIALMEDIA

CAMPAIGNCONTINUES

TO REACH NEWCUSTOMERS

NUMBEROF CH1STREET

CONCIERGE’S INCREASES

TO 50

CH1MARKETINGAND EVENTS

SPEND EXCEEDS£200,000

CHESTERRETAIL

RANKINGSCONTINUE

TO IMPROVE

CH1THEMEDEVENTSPEND

INCREASES

MARKETINGSPEND

£100,000PER ANNUM

CH1 POWERTO MARKET

REACHES ITS150,000THCUSTOMER

30 JUNE2019

BID BALLOT

CHESTERRETAIL

RANKINGSIMPROVEBY 10%

CHESTERLAUNCHESLATE NIGHTSHOPPING

£100,000WELCOME

PROGRAMMECONTINUES

CH1FUNDED

STREET PASTORTRAINING

PROGRAMMELAUNCHED

CH1STREET

CONCIERGESERVICE

LAUNCHED

MAJORMARKETINGCAMPAIGNUNVEILED

CH1LOYALTY

CARDLAUNCHED

19

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WHAT IS AN ‘ELIGIBLE BUSINESS’? Any business based in the BID area with a rateable value of £18,000 or more will automatically be an ‘Eligible Business’; they will have a vote, and will be required to pay 1% of their rateable value as a BID levy. As the threshold has been set so high there will be no exemptions for any business or vacant property.

Any business below the £18,000 threshold will not be asked to formally contribute to the BID pot although they can make a voluntary contribution. The threshold of £18,000 is one of the most generous in the UK. The BID board feels this is a fair and reasonable level at which to start requesting businesses to contribute to the BID pot.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?CH1ChesterBID has set the cost for each eligible business at 1% of the rateable value of the property. This is amongst the lowest levy in the UK.

Because of the physical construction of Chester’s historic core tending towards smaller shop units, many businesses will pay a relatively small amount as a BID levy, for some it will be less than the cost of a cup of tea/coffee per day. The return on this investment (R.O.I), however, will be significant with an anticipated overall BID fund in excess of £2.5M over the five year BID term. This funding will be ’ring fenced’ for the delivery of goods and services - as determined by the CH1ChesterBID board - following consultations with the BID members.

Rateable Value £

<18000

18,000

25,000

35,000

50,000

150,000

250,000

500,000

750,000

1,000,000

Annual Cost @ 1% £

Nil

180

250

350

500

1,500

2,500

5,000

7,500

10,000

Weekly Cost £

Nil

3.46

4.80

6.73

9.62

28.85

48.08

96.15

144.23

192.31

Daily Cost £

Nil

0.49

0.68

0.96

1.37

4.11

6.85

13.70

20.55

27.40

HOW IS THIS COLLECTED?Automatically via the existing Business Rates team at CWAC. All collected monies will be passed across to CH1ChesterBID directly, without deduction.

NOTES

2014 is calculated as 7/12ths (Sept to March)

2019 is calculated as 3/12ths (April to June) to the renewal date

All other years are calculated in full (April to March)

The percentages allocated to each area of spend are flexible

The above expenditure figures are based on BID levy income ONLY and do not include any potential voluntary contributions or land owner contributions

In Kind contributions are based on multi team support provided by BID members, e.g. Admin, IT, Legal etc.

Any surplus raised through Sponsorship/Commercialisation will be re-invested directly into BID activities

SECTION TEN SECTION TEN I BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019

CH1ChesterBID FINANCES

EXAMPLES OF CH1ChesterBID COSTS

CH1ChesterBID FUNDING

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BID EXPENDITUREArea of Spend 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Total

Business Savings 5,592 14,379 23,965 23,965 23,965 3,595 95,461

Power to Market 69,898 95,861 95,861 95,861 119,826 29,956 507,262

Events and Festivals 55,919 110,240 105,447 100,654 95,861 29,956 498,075

Welcome Programme 58,715 119,826 95,861 95,861 95,861 21,569 487,691

One Voice 41,939 57,516 76,688 81,482 62,309 14,379 334,314

Contingency 19,572 33,551 33,551 33,551 33,551 8,388 162,164

Operational Costs 27,959 47,930 47,930 47,930 47,930 11,983 231,663

Multi team support (In Kind costs) 28,000 32,000 22,000 20,000 20,000 13,000 135,000

Total 307,593 511,303 501,303 499,303 499,303 132,825 2,451,630

BID INCOMESource 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Total

BID levy at 1% 279,593 479,303 479,303 479,303 479,303 119,825 2,316,630

In Kind contributions 28,000 32,000 22,000 20,000 20,000 13,000 135,000

Sponsorship/Commercialisation 3,000 10,000 13,000 14,000 13,000 8,000 61,000

Total 310,593 521,303 514,303 513,303 512,303 140,825 2,512,630

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BALLOT DATE

The ballot for CH1ChesterBID will take place throughout June 2014. The last date for casting votes will be 30th June 2014.

RESULTS NEEDED FOR A POSITIVE BALLOT

For CH1ChesterBID to be successful it needs to satisfy each of two separate criteria.

l 51% of the total number of businesses eligible to vote need to vote YES

l 51% of the total rateable value of all eligible businesses need to vote YES

CH1ChesterBID LEVY AND PAYMENT DATES

The CH1ChesterBID levy for businesses will be set at 1% (amongst the lowest in the UK). Businesses with a rateable value of £18,000 or above will be asked to pay the levy. The threshold set at £18,000 is amongst the highest in the UK. To calculate your BID levy simply multiply the rateable value of your property by 0.01.

WHO CAN VOTE?

All businesses within the defined CH1ChesterBID area with a rateable value of £18,000 or above will be asked to vote, provided they are listed on the National Non-Domestic Rates List for the defined BID area on the day of the ballot. Exemptions, reliefs or discounts will not apply.

Those responsible for unoccupied and part-occupied rateable properties will be liable for the full BID levy. The BID levy will not be affected by any business rate relief scheme.

Where a property is vacant, undergoing refurbishment or being demolished, the registered business ratepayer with a rateable value of £18,000 or above will be entitled to vote and will be charged a BID levy with no

concessions for the time the property is empty or not in use.

Each person entitled to vote will have one vote relating to their property within the designated CH1ChesterBID area.

VOTING PROCEDURE

Ballot papers will be issued to the named person with responsibility for casting the vote on behalf of each company/organisation. The papers, complete with casting instructions will be issued in the first week of June 2014. The person responsible for voting will need to return the ballot paper in the pre-paid envelope supplied no later than 30th June 2014. This exercise will be undertaken by a 3rd party independent ballot company.

VOTING TIMETABLE

Votes can be cast from the very first day ballot papers are received. It is advised that voting is attended to ASAP and not left to the last minute.

WHO TO CONTACT WITH A QUERY

The CH1ChesterBID team can be contacted by phone on 01244 403680 or by email at info@CH1ChesterBID.co.uk or through the ‘contact us’ page on the website at www.CH1ChesterBID.co.uk

WHY SHOULD STAKEHOLDERS VOTE?

Every single vote is vital. CH1ChesterBID has been set up from scratch by the business community in the city centre, to work with and on behalf of all businesses. We need every BID business and their YES vote.

Chester’s Business Plan has been developed after a considerable amount of consultation with the

SECTION TWELVE

There are a number of services already delivered by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) to ensure the city is kept clean, safe and secure. These services are described as ‘baseline services’. CH1ChesterBID will NOT pay for any of these, it will only fund services that will enhance the level currently delivered as well as deliver new and exciting initiatives.

An example of the baseline services delivered and funded by CWaC:

SECTION ELEVEN

CURRENT SERVICE LEVELS DELIVERED BY CWAC

l Street cleansing to city centre

l Rows caretaker

l Additional cleaning at key times in the calendar

l Bin emptying

l Removal of graffiti, fly posters, fly tipping, nuisance vehicles, dead animals etc.

l Management of parking and enforcement in the city centre

l Pavement inspections and repairs

l Maintenance and repairs to highways, drainage and street lighting

l Public toilets provision and maintenance

l Ad hoc services such as weed spraying, removal of chewing gum, repairs to damaged street furniture, removal of dog fouling etc.

CH1ChesterBID will enter into an agreement with CWAC to ensure that the above services continue to be delivered and deployed efficiently. Any additional services funded through the CH1ChesterBID Company will be subject to independent monitoring and review on behalf of the CH1 BID members.

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BID BALLOT RULES AND FACTS>

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A BID in Chester could provide my business with real long-term cost savings.FRANCIS THOMAS

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WHO IS CH1ChesterBID?The CH1ChesterBID board is a voluntary board comprised of voting and non-voting members, advisory and support staff as detailed below:

VOTING MEMBERS (SECTOR REPRESENTATION)

l Retailers (multiple)l Retailers (medium) l Retailers (independents) l Leisure l Hoteliers/Hoteliers Association l Professional/Commercial l Further/Higher Education l Business Forum l Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council l Significant Land Ownersl Tourist Attraction representative

PERMANENT NON-VOTING POSITIONS

l BID advisor l BID support staff l Chester Against

Business Crime

SECTION THIRTEEN

businesses and thousands of hours of hard work by the CH1ChesterBID Board, BID advisor and supporting team.

The board work on a voluntary basis with the sole aim of energising and enhancing business life in the city across all business sectors.

Every business operating in this wonderful city wants to stay and be successful. CH1ChesterBID wants Chester to be a place that people are proud to work in and want to return to, time after time. We want every business to be an employer of choice for the very best future employees that will see Chester as a thriving and prosperous city within which to live, work and visit.

WHEN WILL THE RESULTS BE ANNOUNCED?

The results will be available on the 1st July 2014. They will be posted on our website www.CH1ChesterBID.co.uk and a press release will be issued as soon as the results are known.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

For more information on how to get involved visit the website on www.CH1ChesterBID.co.uk

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THIS IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER REAL CHANGE IN CHESTER.

EVERY VOTE COUNTS.

SECTION TWELVE I BUSINESS PLAN 2014-2019

ALEX SHARP

I am Chairman of the Watergate Street Traders Association and owner of the Watergate Street Gallery, one of the largest independent art galleries in the north. My background is Retail Marketing Strategy and I represent Independent Retailers on the shadow Board.

CH1ChesterBID will enable Chester to again become competitive, safe, clean, attractive, exciting, well organised, alive and dynamic.

The city must consider itself as a shopping centre and include the right product, right model and retail mix, all the ingredients to become a destination you want to be part of.

JULIE WEBB

I am the General Manager of Chester‘s Grosvenor Shopping Centre – a 225,000 sq ft shopping precinct in the heart of Chester with associated parking and offices. I have worked in this beautiful city for over 18 years and I represent the owners and the retail businesses who wish to see improved economic growth and vitality in the city centre. We believe that a Business Improvement District (BID) will help us achieve this and that is why we are fully supportive of CH1ChesterBID Company.

KAY COOK

I am the co-owner and managing director of Quality Solicitors Oliver & Co. Although I am not a Cestrian by birth, I feel very strongly that Chester is my home. I originally came to Law School in Chester in 1994 and never left. It is a great privilege to live and work in such a beautiful city.

I strongly believe that Chester has so much to offer tourists, businesses and residents alike. It is our job with the help of the Business Improvement District to put Chester back on the map.

CHRISTOPHE HESBERT

I am the General Manager at the ABode Chester hotel, home to the spectacular Michael Caines Restaurant, and I am also the Chair of the Chester Hoteliers Association.

I have been working and living in Chester since we opened in 2010 and I have loved every minute of my time here. I am passionate about our city and a fervent supporter of the Business Improvement District. Its success will promote Chester as a destination for business and leisure which would bring growth to the tourism industry and help Chester improve its standing in the UK’s retail leagues.

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BID BOARD MEMBERSSECTION FIFTEENSECTION FOURTEEN

WHY VOTE YES5 KEY REASONS TO SAY YES TO THE BID

It’s time for Chester businesses to have their say.

Vote YES for CH1ChesterBID and be part of Chester’s future!

IT’S INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY AND OUR BUSINESS

IT’S LED BY BUSINESSES FOR ALL BUSINESSES

IT WILL DELIVER REAL COST SAVINGS TO MEMBERS BUSINESSES AND INCREASE PROFIT

THE MONEY RAISED THROUGH THE LEVY CANNOT BE SPENT ON DELIVERING STATUTORY SERVICES ALREADY PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL

CH1ChesterBID WILL BE THE SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS VOICE FOR THE CITY WITH REAL INFLUENCE

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CH1ChesterBID

@CH1Chester

FOLLOW THE BID...ch1chester

ch1-chester-bid-company

If you would like any more information about CH1ChesterBID, visit our website at www.ch1chesterbid.co.uk or contact us using the details below:

CH1ChesterBID Company9 Lower Bridge Street Chester CH1 1RS

t: 01244 403680e: info@ch1chesterbid.co.uk