Support BID to create brighter town

OVER the next few weeks, ballot papers will be landing on the mats of those eligible businesses in Bridgend asking business rate payers to vote on whether they support the establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID) for Bridgend.

As someone who has grown up in Bridgend, I want to see the town centre thrive once more.

This is an opportunity for businesses to work together to try to turn around the fortunes of the town and to make Bridgend a better area for doing business, and I for one would not want to see this opportunity lost.

A BID Steering Group made up of local business representatives has published a document outlining its proposals specifically targeted at town centre improvement.

These are based around a number of key pledges.

These are increasing visitor numbers year on year by making the town centre a more attractive and accessible place to visit, improving access and parking, better marketing for the town aimed at improving perceptions of the town centre, reducing the number of vacant properties by attracting new business and pop up schemes, creating a safer and more welcoming town and strengthening the voice of businesses on matters that affect the town centre.

Given that a BID is business led and funded by business through a BID levy, these proposals can only go forward if businesses support the BID and I would urge those eligible business owners to return a Yes vote.