Businesses invited to 'Business Improvement District' seminar

Rochdale Town Centre Management - Business Improvement District

Local businesses are being invited to a special seminar to learn about the prospect of a Business Improvement District (BID) in Rochdale town centre.

The seminar will provide an opportunity to discuss the possibility of a Business Improvement District in Rochdale and how it would work.

BIDs are considered to be the leading model of management and development of town and city centres, with over 270 currently operating across the United Kingdom.

It is anticipated that a Rochdale BID could generate £1m over a five year period to promote and add vitality of the town centre, increasing footfall and vibrancy across the town centre area.

Lorenzo O’Reilly, centre manager of The Exchange Shopping Centre and chairman of the Rochdale BID Development Steering Group, said: “The BID Development Steering Group is made up of representatives of different business sectors who have come together to consider this exciting opportunity. In these times of tough competition and economic uncertainty, it is vitally important for Rochdale to strengthen its position in the region. A

"BID can help us do this, bringing businesses together with their own budget and a collective voice to address the things which matter to us”

Leader of the Council Richard Farnell said: “We support this initiative. The income raised by a Rochdale BID would be spent on the priorities set by Rochdale businesses. It would be on top of the core services provided by the Council, it would not replace them.

"There are BIDs working well all over the country and a Rochdale BID would undoubtedly benefit businesses in the town centre.”

Mark Foxley, of Town Centre Management, said: “A town centre BID is part of our vision for the future, and we are delighted so many key businesses and stakeholders are on the steering group, looking very carefully at this initiative.”

The seminar will take place on Tuesday 12 September 2017, 5:30pm at CockaDoodleMoo on Yorkshire Street.

If you are a business in Rochdale and wish to attend  contact Jayne May at Rochdale Town Centre Management:

jayne@rochdaletcm.co.uk

01706 926676