Come on board to help town centre thrive

THE Melton BID, the town centre regeneration company, has now been set up and is getting to work.
BID stands for Business Improvement District and in June 59 per cent of town centre businesses voted in favour of setting up the not-for-profit limited company to help Melton compete and thrive in tough economic times.
An operational agreement will now be signed by the BID company and Melton Council to determine how and when the levy (set at 1.5 per cent) will be collected. Forty per cent of businesses will pay just [pounds sterling]100 per annum.
Bills are expected to go out in late October or November and all the monies received will then be pooled and invested in projects designed to improve the trading environment, get tills ringing and reduce business costs.
The BID will generate [pounds sterling]645,000 to invest in the town centre over the next five years.
The interim BID board, which meets today, is seeking business people from all sectors to become actively involved in the running of the BID company and stand for election.
In the meantime town centre managers Lisa Brown and Shelagh Core are looking to take a number of schemes forward.
These include:-
l Publishing a new Melton Shopping Guide to coincide with the launch of the Christmas shopping campaign
l Distributing a detailed questionnaire to businesses on the proposed recycling and trade waste scheme so the BID can go out to tender
l Carrying out a shopping survey among all residents in the borough
l Promoting the evening economy.
Mrs Core said: "We will again have a full programme of Christmas events and promotions from the lights switch-on to Melton Victorian Christmas Fair and there will be free parking for shoppers in long stay car parks on the four Fridays before Christmas.
"We are also looking at what we can do specifically to support the night-time economy."
Melton Council agreed earlier this month to introduce a six month ([pounds sterling]160) and 12 month ([pounds sterling]300) season ticket in long stay car parks aimed at businesses and together with the BID is in discussions with Leicestershire Highways over a makeover for Market Place.
Longer term BID projects include things such as a loyalty card scheme and a raft of measures to make Melton a 'destination town' for visitors.
l Business people wishing to express an interest in standing for the BID board or any business wishing to know their exact levy before the bills are issued should contact the town centre managment office on (01664) 502335 or email <strong>score@melton.gov.uk</strong>