Lifeline for town centre could be the BUSINESS
OFFICIAL BACKING FOR BID SCHEME TO MAKE NUNEATON MORE ATTRACTIVE TO SHOPPERS
NUNEATON town centre could be thrown a shopping lifeline after plans to create a Business Improvement District (BID) received official backing.
The Association of Town Centre Management has thrown its weight behind the scheme which would see town centre businesses paying an extra levy to make the area more attractive to shoppers.
In places like Rugby which has had a BID scheme for more than 10 years, the cash has funded things like new shop fronts and street furniture, extra cleaning, rangers who patrol the town centre and familythemed events and activities.
Business owners in Nuneaton, who will be asked to vote on the BID plan, regularly speak out about seeing a steady decline in the number of shops and shoppers.
Numerous units stand empty and many people now travel elsewhere to do their shopping, including neighbouring Hinckley where a major new shopping and leisure complex opened last year.
Even Hinckley’s town centre manager said they had “been dragging people in from Nuneaton”.
Now it is hoped that the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) could improve shopping in Nuneaton
Jo Williams, who owns Joco Interiors in Queens Road is excited about the possibility of a BID being set up and would love to get involved.
She said: “I think if we were to get it, it would be really beneficial. I am hoping it will encourage more independents in the town because I think that could be a real driver for people.
“I think having a BID could make a massive difference to the town and hopefully stop people travelling out to shop.
“I like to get involved and I think we need businesses to encourage other businesses.”
Jo has lived in Nuneaton for her whole life and has watched shopping in the town centre decline.
She added: “Over the years the shops have closed down, the big chains have pulled out, the footfall has gone down.
“Even when you walk down town on a Saturday it’s not busy like it used to me, we are a market town and even that is dwindling.
“I am buzzing for our town to get some life back into it.”
The Ropewalk Shopping Centre first proposed creating a BID in 2015, and if the plan goes forward the BID would receive initial council funding of £2,500. Tony Wilkes,centre Manager at Ropewalk, said: “This is great news for Nuneaton and we’re so proud to have been a part of the feasibility study that has helped to confirm the town centre’s need for a BID scheme.
“As a shopping centre in the middle of Nuneaton it’s important for us to listen to local businesses and do as much as possible to improve trading in the town centre.”