Businesses to vote on improvement partnership
A £1 million boost could be on the cards for West Bromwich town centre with the creation of a new business alliance.
Next year businesses will be asked to vote on proposals to set up a Business Improvement District.
If created, the partnership could generate an estimated £1.25m to help improve the town centre.
Business Improvement Districts are business-led partnerships that generate income through an extra contribution from local businesses. That money is then spent on improvement projects in a defined area.
Sandwell Council is supporting businesses in West Bromwich in setting up the Improvement District.
Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell Council member who is responsible for jobs and economy, said: "A Business Improvement District for West Bromwich town centre will make sure there is sustained investment over the next five years.
"Sandwell Council is fully supportive of the Business Improvement District, which will allow us to showcase West Bromwich town centre and what it has to offer as a shopping and leisure destination."
The Improvement District will be developed in consultation with businesses in the town centre, and organisers say it will be tailored to the needs of the business community.
All shops and businesses will be asked to vote on the Improvement District next spring.
If a 'yes' vote is secured, money could be spent on a range of projects including high-profile marketing, extra security and enhanced cleaning to boost the town.
John Hodgkiss, Business Improvement District co-ordinator for the West Bromwich scheme, said: "In recent weeks I've begun to visit West Bromwich businesses on a one-to-one basis to talk about their priorities for the future.
"It's great to see how positive retailers are about West Bromwich and they are coming up with some great ideas on how to invest and improve the heart of the town centre over the next five years.
"The town centre already has a strong, inclusive partnership, so the Business Improvement District will build on this and be able to deliver even more, and really put West Bromwich on the map.
"We will keep everyone up-to-date with developments over the coming months, leading up to the ballot in early 2015."
Other Business Improvement Districts are already operating in the area.
In Oldbury, AlbionBID2 encompasses 120 businesses in an industrial area, extended from an initial 88 firms in 2011. Levies raised in that area are spent on additional security, including CCTV.
