Newquay businesses are BID-ding for their BID

Businesses are stepping up to help shape the future of Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) as the not-for-profit organisation sets its sights on a new five-year programme of initiatives to boost the town’s business landscape and visitor experience.

Circa 450 businesses have been approached to give their views on the BID’s performance to date. These are businesses who currently pay a levy to benefit from BID’s events and services that seek to make the town safer, more vibrant, and welcoming. There has been plenty of positive feedback so far, with the final deadline for responses coming up at the end of the month in preparation for the formation of a new business plan outlining aims, objectives and projects for a third five-year term which would begin on April 1, 2021, subject to a successful ballot.

Some of those businesses who are fully backing their BID in its renewal efforts include Simon Thompson, owner of Fore Street Café Bar, and Joel Riley, director of Roly’s Fudge Pantry.

Simon Thompson, owner of Fore Street Café Bar, said, “I think some great things have come out of Newquay BID’s existence and I’ll be fully supporting its renewal. Looking ahead, I think it needs to recognise and build on certain strengths in the town. There’s a real buzz happening in Fore Street – it’s become an interesting foodie destination that brings people into the town who wouldn’t otherwise visit.  I’d like to see us celebrate and promote both the rich heritage and history of this area, as well as the quirky, independent shops and quality eating places that are here now.”

Joel Riley, director of Roly’s Fudge Pantry on Bank Street said, “Since its inception, I think Newquay BID has done a great job of raising the profile of Newquay and improving the visitor experience on the high street. I will be backing the BID for another five-year term because I also believe it will be incredibly important to the town’s recovery given the effects of the pandemic.  The shoulder season events such as the Zombie Crawl and Christmas Parade do a brilliant job of bringing footfall into the high street that otherwise wouldn’t necessarily come through the town. Although these won’t necessarily happen this year, all of the work Newquay BID does behind the scenes makes such a difference and I believe it would be a real shame if this no longer existed.”

Formed in 2011, Newquay BID is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers projects and services in the town to make Newquay safer, more vibrant, more welcoming and to improve and support the vibrant business community. Currently approaching the end of its second term which is due to cease on 31st March 2021, the BID hopes to be reinstated for a further five years subject to a new business plan being published and a ballot held in December 2020.

Following a consultation period with member businesses and the collation of critical business feedback, a business plan will be developed outlining the key aims and objectives that the BID will lead on for the upcoming five-year term. A subsequent ballot will be held where each business will have the opportunity to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the renewal of the BID.

It is not too late for Newquay businesses to complete the survey. It will be available online until the end of September at: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NewquayBID/.