Keswick became the first rural business improvement district (BID) in the country, as a result of the ballot of the business community in September 2005.
Private sector business people came forward and a company limited by guarantee was incorporated (April 2006) to deliver the business plan on which the vote was held. Keswick Business Improvement District Limited has been established with a 15 place Board of Directors, which represent a cross section of the business community within the town.
Every business rate payer of £2,900 or more, within the boundary of Keswick are members of the BID and are required by legislation to pay a 1% levy based on their business rateable value. The levy is collected by the local authority as the collection agency on behalf of the BID Company. The BID Company and the Directors are responsible for the effective delivery of the projects within the Keswick BID Business Plan.
A reference group of business people was created to steer the pilot stage leading up to the ballot and this temporary group made decisions on the geographical area of the BID, the levy amount and acted as a reference point whilst the business plan was being written.
The projects detailed within the 5 year business plan are a result of consulting the businesses in Keswick and the ideas that they put forward. In total, over 60 individual project ideas were originally identified by business people, these had to be reduced to reflect what was achievable and possible within the 5 year period. Businesses were asked to rank the projects in order of importance and then a final list was drawn up based on the ranking and the budget and additional funding available.
Full details of the projects and the Business Plan are available on the website. Voluntary membership is encouraged and any business under the £2,900 rateable value or any property owner may also become a member of the Business Improvement District by pay a voluntary contribution.
For further information please contact becx@keswickbid.co.uk; write to Keswick Business Improvement District Ltd c/o 50 Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5JS or telephone 077866 78283.
Fingerposts
The new fingerposts funded by Keswick BID are currently being fitted. Hopefully those of you out and about around town will have noticed...
KESWICK’S fingerposts have all been given a new lease of life thanks to the Business Improvement District.
All ten fingerposts have been repainted...
A NEW guide aimed at boosting businesses in Keswick has been launched.
Keswick Business Improvement District (BID) has produced a 52 page full...
THE FIRST car share scheme to be launched in a national park drives into action in the Lake District tomorrow, 1 April 2008.
It’s hoped the new...
Do you want to save money, reduce parking problems and help the environment?
Keswick Car Share will be launched on 01.04.2008
Logon to...
Newsletter: Spring 2008.
In the last 3 months Keswick Business Improvement District has been very busy. An update of the projects we are currently...
List of all sports included in Welcome to Lakeland Advert.
1. Fishing
2. Sailing
3. Windsurfing
4. Skimming...
Dear Sir/Madam
Keswick Business Improvement District’s Board has reviewed Allerdale’s recently published Parking Services Strategy 2007...
During the past year Keswick Business Improvement District has been working on a number of projects in the local area. A summary of these...
The last three months have been a busy & exciting time for the BID’s board and the new Project Co-ordinator, John Stephenson.
Firstly the new...
Business people needed as Board Directors for the Keswick Business Improvement District
The Keswick Business Improvement District is now...
As you will be aware Keswick has become the first rural town in the country to have a Business Improvement District (BID). As detailed in the...
Keswick is the first British and Northwest rural town to succeed in setting up a Business Improvement District (BID).
A delighted John Walker, one...
To download a summary page of information about the Keswick Business Improvement District and the projects, please click on the PDF icon. ...
The business plan for the Keswick BID posted on Friday 12th August 2005. Please feel free to click on the icon and download your copy.
For...
A Business Improvement District for Keswick was launched at an event held at the Skiddaw Hotel on Monday 7th March 2005.
Over 90 people from the...
