Support sought for Swansea BID’s renewal

Car parking promotions, taxi marshals at night and the removal of millions of pieces of chewing gum from city centre streets are among the projects Swansea BID (Business Improvement District) has put in place over the last decade.

Now, with the current BID term of office about to come to an end, Swansea Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve the BID renewal ballot process and support its work for a further five years if another term is secured.

Swansea remains one of only five areas in Wales to operate a BID. The Swansea BID was first established in August 2006 for an initial term of five years before a successful renewal ballot was held in March 2011 to secure another five years.

The BID generates about £465,000 every year through a levy that’s set at 1% of the rentable value of all non-domestic premises within the city centre BID area. This equates to about £2.3 million over five years that’s invested back into the city centre through agreed BID projects.

“Swansea BID has been a success story since its introduction back in 2006,” said Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration.

“Working closely alongside the council, the BID has facilitated, through funds generated by the scheme, a large number of projects that have supported our aim to regenerate the city centre, develop more vibrancy, attract more footfall, support existing businesses and attract new investment.

“The BID has become a well-recognised and respected conduit to the city centre businesses that it represents. If Cabinet supports the BID renewal ballot process in February next year and a third term is secured, then we look forward to working alongside them for a further five years during what’s going to be a hugely exciting time for Swansea city centre because of the regeneration of key sites including St David’s, the Civic Centre and Kingsway.”

A BID is a private sector, not-for-profit company that’s elected by businesses or organisations to lead or fund improvements to a defined commercial area such as a town or city centre. They were first established in Canada and the USA in the 1960s, and now exist across the world in countries including South Africa, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

There are currently 215 BIDs across the UK, which collectively engage 75,000 businesses and organisations, employing more than 700 people and generating an investment of over £200 million.

Swansea BID projects since 2011 have included car parking offers and promotions, taxi marshals, chewing gum removal, additional street cleansing and funding towards Swansea Council’s City Centre Ranger scheme. BID funding is also heavily contributing to the amount of LED, eco-friendly Christmas lights in the city centre due to be switched-on in Sunday’s Christmas Parade.

Since introducing a £3 for three hours deal in NCP car parks and free parking days for special events, the volume of vehicles using the initiative has increased by 30%. The average transaction value has risen by 4%, which means more people are parking and staying for longer, boosting city centre trade as a result.

Figures show the chewing gum removal project has removed more than two million pieces of gum. Over 100,000 people have also been dealt with by taxi marshals, helping reduce alcohol-related disorder at night by working closely with South Wales Police.

The development of a City Centre Loyalty card now includes over 70 offers with a database of 28,000 users. The offers, which can only be redeemed in-store, help boost city centre spending by attracting more visits. Eligible BID members have each secured up to £1,000 in rate relief.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “Consultation undertaken so far shows 84% of respondents have indicated their support for a further five-year renewal of the BID. If the ballot process is approved and a third term is secured, then a number of council departments will continue to work with the BID to help further develop a cleaner, safer and more vibrant city centre for the benefit of businesses, residents and visitors.”

Other BID achievements include the delivery of more than 50 city centre events. Swansea BID also supports the University of Wales Trinity St David’s Creative Bubble project that helps nurture and retain entrepreneurial students. Marketing activities have included the strengthening of the Big Heart of Swansea consumer brand, which research shows has a reach of 2.5 million people.