Traders given chance to shape future of town

TRADERS in Newton Abbot are being asked to help to turn around the town’s fortunes.

A Business Improvement District project has been formally launched.

Now hundreds of businesses in the town are being urged to support the new self-help scheme.

Sally Henley, the woman at the helm of the initiative, said: “This will ensure that we keep our competitive edge. This is a fantastic opportunity and one which has a great deal of support.”

The BID project is funded by businesses who pay a tiny percentage of their rateable value and in turn are given the power to implement town centre improvements.

The scheme, which has been successfully rolled out in Torquay and is under discussion in Paignton and Brixham, would put business owners in charge of improvements using the pot of cash they raise.

The Town Centre Partnership and Sally Henley, the Newton Abbot town development manager, will be leading the BID proposal.

She said the BID could, over the course of five years, bring in around £1million.

Up to 700 businesses have this week received their first BID newsletter, which explains how the initiative works.

Sally said: “BIDs have been in existence in around 70 towns and cities for a few years now and in the light of current government spending cutbacks, even more towns and cities across the country are forming business partnerships to take a BID forward.

“This will put them in a strong position to implement projects designed specifically to strengthen the economic vibrancy of the town and to have greater influence over public sector regeneration projects.

“We plan to make sure that Newton Abbot does not miss out.”

All businesses within the BID area have the chance to vote on the idea and if a yes vote is obtained the businesses within a defined geographical area of the town will each pay 1.5 per cent of their rateable value.

Teignbridge Council has already agreed to manage the ballot and to collect the levy, which will then be handed over and managed by the BID company.

Sally said: “Newton Abbot has fared better than some in this time of recession with fewer shop closures than many other towns and lots of new shops opening over the past year.

“Newton Abbot has such a lot going for it, with its ancient heritage, including a still thriving markets tradition, its array of independent retailers as well as nationals, and a huge number of successful, professional and business services.

“Complacency is a real enemy though and in order to carry on this momentum we have to make sure that we continue to compete at a high level. If other towns are setting up BIDs, then clearly they will be in much more of a position to challenge.”

A steering group has been established which will guide the process and which will eventually form the Newton Abbot BID company.

Principal architect Jeremy Newcombe, whose practice RSN Architects is based in Devon Square, is chairman of the BID steering group.

He said: “This is immensely exciting for Newton Abbot. I think this will enable us to guide our own future. It gives the business community the ability to have a voice and do things to control our own destiny.

“I think its absolutely essential that businesses get involved in processes like this, particularly as we move into an era where funding from local authorities is not available as it once was.”

Over the next few months all businesses within the BID area will be consulted on the proposal.

A website has been established, and there is a Newton Abbot BID presence on Twitter. On Twitter, look for @NewtonTownWoman or click