Lowestoft: Final rallying call to back Business Improvement District (BID) proposal

A final call has gone out to businesses in Lowestoft urging them to avoid missing out on a chance to help re-invigorate the town – by voting ‘yes’ to create a business improvement district.

With a ballot taking place this week, businesses in Lowestoft were being encouraged to help “make a difference to their town” as part of a drive to improve and promote Lowestoft and its main shopping areas.

The proposed business improvement district (BID) would incorporate the town centre, the historic High Street and the Roman Hill ward.

Led by Lowestoft Vision, the BID would raise money for extra services and improvements in the town through a levy, which would be spent on making the town more safe and secure, attractive, accessible and more influential.

Eligible businesses will have received an information pack and ballot paper and they were being urged to post their votes back to the Electoral Reform Service by 5pm on Wednesday.

Chairman of the Lowestoft Vision BID, Danny Steel, said: “A yes vote will enable Lowestoft Vision, an organisation made up of Lowestoft traders, to promote Lowestoft for the traders.

“This is not a local authority initiative – it is for the traders by the traders, so please get involved.”

Nationally, several hundred BIDs have been created – each funded by a modest levy on existing business rates, resulting in change and improvements.