Mansfield town centre businesses vote to keep BID for another five years

Businesses have given the BID the green light to continue delivering on its bold vision to make Mansfield town centre a vibrant place.

More than 560 levy payers in the town’s BID area were able to cast their votes as part of the statutory poll.

The outcome of the ballot was:

- 77 per cent of businesses which voted said Yes

- Together they represented a total Rateable Value of £6,555,250

- There was a 55 per cent turnout.

BID chairman John Sankey said: “I am delighted that the businesses have voted to keep the BID, which has worked hard over the past four and a half years.

“Working closely with partners and stakeholders, the BID has a vision for the town centre and it is so exciting to know that we can now move that forward.

“From free wifi for the town centre, to event organisation and management, and from marketing the town centre to introducing recycling and energy cost reduction schemes, the BID plays such an important role in making the town centre a vibrant place to be.”

This is the first re-election for the BID, which works with businesses and local authorities as equal partners working toward common goals.

Non-domestic rate payers within a BID area pay for it through a supplement in their rates bill.

Sarah Nelson, BID manager, said: “The BID has worked hard to deliver invaluable support to the town centre, with a number of innovative schemes helping to make it a great place to be. The list of successes is long and speaks for itself. It is testament to all involved that it has been a positive force for change.

“There is still work to do and the whole team is looking forward to delivering yet more for the levy payers.”

The BID has been responsible for managing many town centre events, such as Jubilee Food Fair, Easter events, summer events, Olympic rorch, St George’s Day, Christmas farm, snow globe and horse and carriages, town centre treasure hunts and it manages the I Love Mansfield scheme.

There are more than 4,000 members of the privilege cards, which is now working in tandem with the Mango card.

Coun Kate Allsop, portfolio older for economic regeneration at Mansfield District Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the result. I am so pleased for the town – the difference the BID has made to businesses and visitors is amazing. The Council is committed to continuing to work in partnership with the BID to further enhance the town centre.”