Waterfront businesses urged to get on board the BID2 Campaign

The team behind the Waterfront Business Improvement District has taken the BID on tour with the Mayflower Land Train in a series of special workshops.

The Plymouth Waterfront Partnership is currently awaiting the return of 877 ballot papers from local business owners, who will have the final say on whether to extend the BID for a further five years to 2022.

It’s a crucial vote for the traders – in a four-square mile area stretching from Stonehouse to Coxside – who currently pay 1.5 per cent of their rateable value annually in return for enhanced services and Waterfront projects.

Since the original BID was launched in 2012 the PWP team has secured more than £6m of investment, ringfencing council spending and increasing visitor numbers to a host of Waterfront events.

But they’re hoping BID2 will be even more successful and laid on the Land Train to spend more time talking with local business people at three Waterfront locations on Thursday.

The PWP team boarded the train as it travelled between the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, West Hoe and the Royal William Yard, persuading undecided voters to back proposals to create Waterfront BID2.

The original Waterfront BID has engaged partners to deliver plans for a new cruise ship terminal, as well as Government and Washington support for the forthcoming Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020, which will be enjoyed all over the world to mark the Pilgrims historic voyage to the New World.

The partnership, which has always consulted heavily with local traders over their priorities for improvements, has also delivered new on street orientation signage, created new events including the Plymouth Pirates Weekend and the Plymouth Seafood Festival, provided Christmas lights, safeguarded the cobbled streets, and ensured cleaner streets.

The ballot papers must be returned to the Electoral Reform Service in London, by March 1. If successful, BID2 will focus on increased national marketing, expansion of events, install additional signage, deliver new trails and provide better transport links between the City Centre and the Waterfront.

But the team has warned their plans for the area, including a £3m pledge from Plymouth City Council with an expected £5.9m in grant and other match funding, could be derailed if they lose the vote.

Council Leader Ian Bowyer said: “This is a really crucial decision for Plymouth and the future of our beautiful Waterfront.

“The PWP team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes. It is vital people realise just how much they have achieved and vote yes to keep the momentum of all their hard work on track.

“For anyone who is undecided, or wants to know exactly where their money is being spent, visit the team as they travel with the Land Train for all the answers.

“Waterfront BID2 has the council’s full support. The eyes of the world will be on Plymouth in 2020 when we celebrate the anniversary of the Pilgrims’ journey to the New World and it’s important the Waterfront’s traders are involved every step of the way.”

The PWP also acts as a strategic partner alongside the City Council and organisations like Destination Plymouth to make sure the voices and concerns of Waterfront hoteliers, restauranteurs, attraction managers and retailers are heard.

PWP Waterfront Manager and Chief Executive Sarah Gibson said: “The Land Train has been a great, high profile addition to the city’s Waterfront and we really wanted to use it to highlight the importance of connectivity.

“Waterfront BID2 is all about connectivity, across the Waterfront and with the City Centre, through transport, trails, signage and events. We’re often criticised for being too Barbican focused so we’ve responded with projects within our five year Waterfront Business Plan that will benefit other areas, including Bretonside, Sutton Harbour, Mount Batten, West Hoe and the Royal William Yard.

“We’re proud of what our business members have achieved together over the past five years with almost forty-two projects delivered that have genuinely enhanced and improved the Waterfront area.

“We’re keen to encourage even more partnership working to deliver the absolute best possible results and make sure the city’s beautiful Waterfront looks the best it possibly can when the world’s spotlight falls on us in 2020.

“It’s vital we continue the good work we have begun – to increase funding, improve the area and get more people from all over the globe coming to Plymouth.”

The results of the vote will be announced by 8 March and, if successful, PWP’s Waterfront BID2 will begin its five-year term in April.