Member Article

Sutton business leaders back Beddington BID

Businesses in the borough have shown support for a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) in Beddington in a vote cast late last month.

Of the 98 votes cast during the ballot in October, 98 per cent were in favour of the BID proposal, which will enable businesses to improve their trading environment and create opportunities to thrive and succeed by working together and with and with Sutton Council.

The BID would be funded by an initiative requiring each business paying a 1 per cent levy on their rateable value.

The development of the BID was supported by Sutton Council and the Greater London Authority (GLA). The BID will formally launch with a BID company and a Board of Directors on 1 February 2016.

Improvements planned to start include CCTV, Superfast Broadband, and landscaping and parking improvements for the local area.

The Beddington BID joins the Sutton Town Centre (Successful Sutton) and Kimpton Industrial Park (KIPPA) to become the third BID in the borough.

Peter Whitehead, Managing Director of P.F. Whitehead, said: “This is a fantastic result for Beddington and for the businesses and people who call Beddington home. The BID will encourage increased security and environmental enhancements to make the area better for business.

“I would like to thank everyone who has voted during October, and special thanks to all those who’ve worked on preparing our BID proposal. It’s great to see that so many people’s hard work has paid off and will have such a positive effect on the local community.”

Cllr Jayne McCoy, Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee at Sutton Council, said: “We congratulate the Beddington BID Board on their successful campaign and achieving the third Business Improvement District in Sutton. The Beddington BID joins the Successful Sutton and KIPPA BIDs as another shining example of the positive business ethos in the borough.

“BIDs add value to their area in lots of ways and we are confident that our latest BID will bring improvements and increased prosperity to Beddington.”

The Mayor of London awarded £30,000 funding to help with the setup of Beddington BID as part of a £660,000 investment in BIDs across the capital.

Sir Edward Lister, Deputy Mayor for Planning at the Greater London Authority, said: “Beddington BID promises to deliver great changes to this part of London. I look forward to seeing this district go from strength to strength and secure a vibrant and prosperous future for the area.”

The Beddington BID is the 45th BID in London and there are currently more than 200 BIDs operating successfully in the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .