ROOT AND BRANCH REVIEW BECKONS FOR THE BID 

Stratforward, the organisation running the Stratford Business Improvement District (BID) will be the subject of a thorough ‘root and branch’ assessment independently commissioned by the newly formed association speaking for town centre businesses. 

At a meeting of The Business Action Groups for Stratford upon Avon last week, a wide variety of central traders expressed their anger at the way their interests are being represented by the BID and their concerns that an organisation they fund, by way of a compulsory levy on their business rates, is offering poor value for money. The members have agreed to commission an independent appraisal of Stratforward Ltd BID by one of the UK’s leading BID experts. BAGS will urge the board of the Stratford BID to cooperate fully with the appraisal, which will take place over coming weeks. In the interests of transparency, the group has determined to publish the full, unredacted, report along with its recommendations, which the BID will then be encouraged to implement within 30 days. 

Garnering wide support from more than 70 town centre businesses after its prior inaugural meeting, BAGS cites changes made to Shrewsbury BID after action taken by local traders to bring about reform to its operation. Referencing the Shrewsbury initiative, BAGS spokesperson Andrew Rothwell said that “the Shrewsbury BID failed for similar reasons to those happening Stratforward, namely an unrepresentative board of vested self-interests further hampered by the outside political influences of the ruling Cabinet at SDC, as well as the levy delivering nothing for many members in specific sectors and who see it only as unwanted taxation.” He continued “the Stratford BID is heavily governed by Directors from the local councils and heritage sites whose interests diverge from the independent and corporate-led profit-reliant businesses within the town. It is our contention that, like Shrewsbury, these should be replaced by business owners to ensure more equitable representation and a more functional BID. We urge Stratforward to take advantage of this opportunity and engage positively and transparently with the process.” 

Business Action Groups for Stratford upon Avon was formed with the key objectives of improving the lives of every local resident and business in the town. Further information and BAGS contact details can be found on the website; www.businessactiongroups.com 

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Editors contact: Andrew Rothwell 

07595 199957