Prospectus for Colmore Business District Launched

PwC played host to the launch of the Prospectus for the Colmore Business District BID last night. Representatives of the firms eligible to vote in the BID ballot which will be held during January and February 2009, heard from Sue Lewis of Eversheds, BID Champion Gary Cardin from Drivers Jonas and Jonathan Cheetham and Jenny Inglis of Birmingham City Centre Partnership. Clive Dutton, Director of Planning and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council was also in attendance to further demonstrate the City's support of the BID. The BID is being led by Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future, supported by Birmingham City Centre Partnership

The Prospectus, which was distributed to all guests, lists the ten BID pledges, details the key actions that will be undertaken, provides a detailed breakdown of the first year's budget and explains the voting process for early 2009. The Colmore Business District is Birmingham's premier concentration of professional and business service firms and home to some 500 companies that employ almost 24,000 people. The area welcomes many of the city's business visitors and is due to play a major role in the development of the city centre as detailed in the Big City Plan.

This is the first UK BID with such a high concentration of commercial occupants at over 90%. As part of the BID's key pledges is a promise to promote a clear identity for the district and to deliver a high quality and user friendly "streetscape" Also contained within the prospectus are pledges to make the area safer and cleaner. It is also hoped that the BID will bring a collective voice for the business community within the area and opportunities to network and engage with neighbours. Within the specific actions detailed by the BID is the recruitment, during the first year, of a team of "street wardens" to provide both meet and greet in addition to safety and security services to staff and visitors alike. There is also a commitment to improve safety with upgraded lighting and other physical improvements and to initiate a range of street and IT based signage and information media.

The BID will be financed by an annual levy being collected by Birmingham City Council. All business sectors will be included and a 1% levy of rateable value will be charged on all properties with a rateable value in excess of £10,000 per annum. The largest occupiers in the district will have their contributions capped. As with the other Birmingham BIDs the City Council has agreed to collect the levy pro bono and this, coupled with their levy on the properties they occupy within the district, are tangible signs of their commitment to this BID process.

A small number of retail businesses situated within the Colmore Business District who are already contributing to the Retail Birmingham BID will be exempt. As part of the prospectus the BID team presented the first year's spending priorities from an anticipated budget of £680,000. Of this £170,000 (25%) will be allocated to improving the streetscape and public realm environment including the commissioning of sculpture, greening, floral displays and festive lighting. £160,000 (23.5%) will be set aside to finance the full time uniformed street wardens. £40,000 (5.9%) will be allocated for the BID caretaker service to ensure maintenance and cleaning is kept up to standard. At the launch, the team confirmed the BID Ballot timetable. The Ballot will be conducted by Independent Scrutineer, Electoral Reform Services.

• January 9th 2009 - Notification of the ballot will be sent out to all those businesses eligible to vote.
• January 19th 2009 - Ballot papers will be dispatched
• February 27th 2009 - Ballot will close at 5pm
• March 2nd 2009 - The result will be announced and if it is in favour, the BID will formally be established for a five year term on April 1st.

A not-for-profit company will be formed to run the activities of the BID with a voluntary Board made up of representatives from different sectors of the business community taken from firms situated within the BID area and from other strategic partners. The BID will be run by a dedicated manager and a small support team based in the BID area. Copies of the Prospectus will be sent to all voting businesses within the next week. Commenting on the launch of the BID Prospectus, Gary Cardin said; "This is a very exciting initiative for one of the city's most prestigious business areas. If the BID is successful we will, through the BID company and by working with partners such as Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police, change dramatically the environment and atmosphere of the Colmore Business District.

During the five year term of the BID we are able to invest just under £3.5 million pounds into this important area of the city centre that will significantly improve the landscape for the firms and their staff who work here and also provide a more welcoming and pleasant place for our visitors." Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council commented: "I am delighted to see the Colmore Business District BID come to fruition. I have been actively involved in nurturing and supporting this initiative from the outset as I can clearly see the benefits it will bring to the business heart of our great city. Alongside the established Broad Street and Retail BIDs, this third area serves to remind us of the importance of commerce in the sustainability of Birmingham." The ten Colmore Business District BID pledges:

• Promote a clear identity and profile for the District and the businesses within it.
• Deliver a high quality and user friendly "streetscape" throughout the District.
• Achieve enhanced environmental cleaning and maintenance standards.
• Provide a safe and welcoming business environment.
• Improve the District's accessibility and wider city centre connections.
• Promote local business networking and community engagement.
• Operate as an effective business led "voice" with the resources to make things happen.
• Engage with and support businesses.
• Deliver visible improvements and get things done – it will not be a talking shop.
• Deliver projects and services that are additional to those provided by Birmingham City Council and others.

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