FROM ‘NO POSITIVE IMPACT’… TO ‘VITAL FOR SURVIVAL’

Emily Woodger, who runs the Dressing Room fancy dress shop in Northgate, will be closing for good in the next two months.

She partly blames BID for failing to help with her struggles.

“I have run a business in Canterbury for 14 years and we have seen the worst trading in the last five,” she said.

“The reason for this is multi-factorial but the fact is, since BID was launched I feel it has had no positive impact on trade and has definitely not helped my business thrive.

“In a time when every penny counts, I believe the BID is not helping. There has been a five-year run and more businesses than ever have closed. You can’t sugar-coat this. The BID has failed us.

“I feel utterly devastated that my business will cease trading.” of BID has been phenomenal.

“The only businesses making money are the shopfitters.”

Managing director of the Barrett Motor Group, Paul Barrett, who stresses that most traders only pay the equivalent of half a cup of coffee each day for their BID levy, is a strong supporter.

“Never has there been a time when the Canterbury BID has been more vital to the retailers’ survival,” he said.

“It has made the city a more enjoyable place, provided additional street cleaning, and funded festivals, events and marketing campaigns encouraging locals and tourists to spend more time and more money in the city.

“The BID gives the business community a voice.

“Its role is not just financial investment but to champion the business community at every opportunity, something I believe it has done extremely effectively.

“But the bottom line is, Canterbury City Council or Kent County Council will not pay for these activities – without the BID, they simply would not happen.”

Despite the firm readying itself to move out of the city centre, Mr Barrett says the car dealership will continue to make a voluntary contribution to BID. deferred by councillors at Thursday’s meeting. A final decision is expected to be made after May’s local elections.

The ballot for a second BID Canterbury Society chairman Jan Pahl says the levy enables big improvements in the city. She said: “Think back to the dark days of 2013 when there were no Christmas lights. It’s really been a transformation of Christmas in Canterbury.

“But that’s not been all. In the summer, we get the hanging baskets. It’s been a joy to see Canterbury winning Britain in Bloom – a great boost to our tourist industry.

“We have a High Street which, of course, like most is going through a difficult time, but it is not struggling as much as elsewhere. I think we have the BID to thank for that.”

Debbie Barwick, of Revivals in St Peter’s Street, argues the money she unwillingly pays will now be unfairly used to campaign for a second five-year term.

She said: “We are aware that BID has run a ‘Vote Yes’ campaign funded from our levy and therefore we feel it is only fair and democratic that a ‘Vote No’ campaign should also have access to BID levy funding.”

City council chief executive Colin Carmichael, however, said BID has no alternative and it is “natural” for them to spend money raised from the levy to develop their second term proposal. term is set to take take place from June 13 until July 11.  What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk Thursday, January 31, 2019 Kentish Gazette (KG)