The Weymouth BID (Business Improvement District) project continues to make good progress following a very successful “Drop In” style meeting which was held on Thursday 31 January when local businesses met with members of the Weymouth BID Steering Group at the Wetherspoon’s William Henry public house in Weymouth.
Many business owners found the informal face-to-face style meeting very useful in forming ideas and questions around the possibility of having a BID in Weymouth. Due to the success of the first meeting more meetings have been organised on Thursday 14th March and Thursday 18th April at 15h30 – 18h00 at the William Henry public house in Weymouth where refreshments will be provided. These meetings are only for Weymouth businesses within the potential levy payment area.
Brian Cooper Manager of the BID Marketing Group said “It was really interesting to hear the ideas and concerns directly from the businesses within the levy payment area. As a direct result of the meeting held on 31 January the Steering Group have listened to local business owners and have made modifications to the Weymouth BID business plan which has been submitted to Weymouth & Portland Borough Council for review at the management committee meeting on 5th March”.
Mr Cooper went on to say “At the meeting on 5th March, the Council’s role will be to agree the business plan and check that it does not conflict with any local authority policies, it will also agree that the BID should conduct a ballot in May”
The Weymouth BID Steering Group:
Name Company
Nigel Reed Chair & BID Co-ordinator
Barrie Huett Albert Goodman
Brian Cooper Resort Marketing Ltd
Cherise Luke-Bennett Battens
Craig Dunkerley Merlin Entertainment – Sea Life
Rob Jones Weymouth College Vice Principal
Chris Reay Channel Hotel
Roger Dalton HTS Seafood Festival WP Economy Group Chair
Tim Williams Wilkinsons
Rob Cole The Esplanade Hotel
Anna-Maria Geare President WP Chamber & LloydsTSB
Trevor Hedger EDO WPBC BID Support Officer
The Weymouth BID Steering Group continued
Sophie Jibet Kermani The Dining Room
Joy Sangster Dream Cottages
Steve Newstead Wetherspoon’s
Nick Maybour McDonalds
Ian Moore Howleys Toymaster
Craig Tizzard Debenhams
Cllr Ian Munro Price WPBC Briefholder
Nigel Reed, Chair of the Weymouth BID said: “Following the local authority management meeting on 5th March we can start working towards obtaining a YES vote for Weymouth. If successful, this would generate at least £300,000 a year for 5 years at a time when public funds are reducing. We are canvassing various groups of people over the next 3 months and on the 28th February the Weymouth BID Steering Group will be meeting with students from Budmouth College who will hopefully be able to view a younger persons view of the BID business plan and project”.
Businesses and press are encouraged to come along to the meeting on 14th March at the William Henry Public House in Weymouth or call Nigel Reed on 07557 142906, email at [email protected] . More information is available at www.weymouthbid.co.uk.
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