Hinckley BID given green light for another term
HINCKLEY’S Business Improvement District has been given the thumbs up to carry on its good work for another term.
Every five years, the town’s businesses have the chance to say yes or no to another term.
Businesses pay a levy to the BID to provide its funding.
And the director of the BID, Steve Wegerif announced on Friday they have been given a very big green light to continue the good work.
Steve said: “We feel very honoured to be asked to continue promoting Hinckley and we will do our utmost to keep Hinckley ahead of other local towns.
“Our work would not be possible without the support of the Board of the Hinckley Town Centre Partnership, the borough council, our town centre businesses, local residents and visitors.”
Steve said being re-elected means that Hinckley’s already thriving town centre will continue to get stronger with the plans that have been laid out for the next five years.
The news means that popular events such as the annual Pancake Race, Easter Bunny Hunt, Soap Box Derby and the Classic Motorshow will all return next year.
The director has also said that having a Business Improvement District is essential, not just for Hinckley, but for many towns across the UK who are struggling badly from the growth of internet shopping.
Steve continued: “For the past 10 years, in partnership with our pro-active borough council, Hinckley BID has worked hard to make Hinckley town centre a memorable place to visit.
“Between us we have put on more than 50 events a year and most of them are free of charge. Over the BID’s first 10 years, accurate electronic footfall counters have shown that we have brought in an additional 100,000 visitors to Hinckley each year, with many of our shops and services benefitting greatly as a result.”
As the first BID in Leicestershire, Steve and his colleague Martina Smullen said that it is vital that the BID maintains its portfolio of services, as well as being readily available to be of assistance to its 400 Business members and to keep all of those within its 50 mile radius fully informed.
In the meantime, Steve is encouraging both businesses and the public to generate more ideas of what the BID could be doing to showcase Hinckley and drive more footfall into our town centre.
He said: “Thank you to everyone for their appreciative and encouraging comments on social media since the vote was declared - all of our nearly 400 BID members can be assured that we have their interest at heart and that our door is always open.
“To those who do not support the BID, please take the time to talk with us and let’s see how we can change your mind and help your business to grow.”