Raising the BID

Hundreds of shops and businesses in the city centre are paying towards a £5 million scheme to make the area safer, cleaner and more vibrant.

More police will be on patrol to fight crime in the city centre during the busy shopping period leading up to Christmas.
And shoppers might notice that the streets are cleaner too, because a new rapid-response cleaning team has just been set up.
Both the cleaning team and the extra policing are initiatives which have come about as a result of the city centre becoming a Business Improvement District (or BID, area for short).
And there are plenty more plans in the pipeline.
A total of 81 per cent of city-centre shops and businesses voted in favour of setting up the BID area, which they themselves are helping to pay for by contributing an extra one per cent on their rateable value every year.
These local businesses themselves will now decide what developments take place, through an independent BID company.
Priorities for action cover five key areas, which are: safety and security, cleaning and maintenance, access and signage, marketing and events, and the creation of a more family-friendly evening economy.
"Our aim is to make the BID area like a shopping centre without a roof – providing similar high standards of security, maintenance and marketing across the whole city centre," says Mike Killoran, manager of Princes Quay shopping centre and chair of the steering group behind the BID area.
"It will make our city centre safer, cleaner, more vibrant and attractive – bringing more people here to shop, visit, work and live."

The BID Budget

A total of 548 businesses said "Yes" to the BID area.
It's estimated that money raised through their extra rates will be around £500,000 per year.
And it's estimated that this amount could be doubled every year through public-sector match funding, voluntary contributions and income from activities such as markets.
Over the next five years – the lifespan of the BID area– it's hoped that £5 million will be raised, which could be spent as follows:

• £1.45m on improved safety and security
• £1m to enhance cleanliness and street maintenance
• £1m to strengthen the marketing of the city centre and introduce a year-round programme of events
• £345,000 to develop a safe and vibrant evening and 24-hour economy
• £180,000 to improve access and signage

The last jigsaw piece

The BID campaign has involved six months of hard work and it's been led by BID manager Ken Baldwin, himself a former retailer with many years experience of the city centre.
"This is the missing piece of the regeneration jigsaw," says Ken.
"I believe we can make a big difference and look forward to working with everyone in the city centre, not just retailers, but all organisations that are based here and deserve a safe, clean and enjoyable working environment.
"With new developments springing up, there is a danger that the city centre becomes fragmented, with some parts going into decline as others emerge. The BID will aim to keep the whole city centre thriving, especially supporting the independent retailers who make the difference to Hull's retail experience."
Meanwhile, leader of Hull City Council Carl Minns said the BID area would empower the business community and give them a direct hands-on role within the city centre.
He said: "They will have devolved responsibilities and the ability to influence the renewal of the city centre and we are sure the local population will soon see the benefits of this.
"Business Improvement Districts have been established in other parts of the country and have proved very successful, and we see no reason why Hull should not benefit to a similar level."