Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District Secures Overwhelming 'Yes' Vote for Second Five-Year Term

Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) is delighted to announce the success of its recent ballot, securing an overall 'Yes' vote for a second five-year term. This significant achievement reflects the support and confidence of local businesses and stakeholders in the BID's continued efforts to enhance the city centre's vibrancy, growth, and prosperity.

Following an intensive campaign engaging with local businesses and the wider community, the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID received a 93.9% majority of participating voters and by aggregate rateable value of 96.34%.

The BID has worked to deliver a wide range of initiatives and projects that have revitalized the city centre, attracting visitors, businesses, and investment. BID CEO Richard Buxton attributes the successful ballot to the collaborative efforts undertaken by the team and board of directors over the last five years:

Some of the notable initiatives during the BID's initial term include the introduction of Operation Sparkle; an ongoing cleansing and improvement programme to improve the look and feel of the city centre streets, along with its annual city-wide Better World Festival and 2800 hours of diverse events and activities. During its first five-year term, the BID also delivered 28,000 hours of patrolling by its  Ambassador team, installed 50+ pieces of artwork into neglected areas and made over 90,000 visits to businesses within the city centre to keep them informed.

BID Chairman Jonathan Bellamy recognises that the second BID term must remain steadfast in its efforts to support the city centre's business landscape. 

“With 94% in favour of keeping the BID running for a second term, it clearly shows that those businesses who voted know the vital importance and value of having a BID working on their behalf – to get things done, and also to lobby and advocate for the interests and wellbeing of this central core to our local economy and shared heritage.

In truth, like overfishing or deforestation, so many forces both local and national have raided or not stood up for the high street over decades. Our city centre deserves much better than this! It should be a thriving shared space that we are all proud of; we shouldn't complacently allow it to decline.

I know this BID had a good first five years. We laid a foundation of action, we’ve developed fresh vision, and after five years living and breathing this city centre we know it better than anyone else. We are ready to go for another five years. We will be louder and more proactive than ever on behalf of our city centre. Whether its local businesses, local authority or local people, only together we can make the beating heart of this community strong once again. I hope you will share in this with us.”

As the Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID embarks on its second term, which officially starts in November 2023, it is poised to build upon its achievements and pursue an ambitious agenda to further enhance the city centre's appeal. The new term will see an increased focus on the quality, cleanliness and safety of the city centre along with enhancing its localism, heritage and digital innovation, ensuring Stoke-on-Trent City Centre remains a forward-thinking destination for businesses, residents, and tourists alike.