27th January 2022: As a result of the ‘Yes’ vote, the new Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID has this year commenced its third term, with a focus on ‘investing in Sutton’ and working to deliver the Masterplan with Birmingham City Council and Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council.
Businesses across Sutton Coldfield Town Centre voted in favour of renewing their status as a Business Improvement District (BID). Businesses with a rateable value of £7,500 or above will pay a levy based upon their rateable value, creating a collective fund of more than £1.3 million to spend over the next five years.
This positive result during November last year, followed several months of planning, in-depth interviews, surveys and a month-long ballot in which hundreds of businesses in the area were asked to vote on the proposals. The successful campaign was spearheaded and driven by the BID’s Board of business representatives from across the town, supported by pfbb UK, who develop and deliver Business Improvement Districts across the country.
Keith Ward, Town Councillor and SCTC BID Board Member:
“It’s time to begin investing in Sutton Coldfield town centre, not only by working in collaboration with Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Birmingham City Council in delivering the proposed Masterplan; but we are asking Sutton residents to invest their belief, confidence and custom back into our Royal town. Everyone can make a change in how the town is represented to visitors as well as potential business investors.
“There’s no denying shopping, living and work habits and trends have changed in the last few years and these are challenging times for retailers across the country. But the town is currently in the process of change and the Town Centre Masterplan is testimony to the commitment to take the town into the future.”
Angela Henderson, manager of the Gracechurch Shopping Centre and Chair of the BID:
“We will be working with SCTC BID to help to promote the Masterplan over the next few years. We are currently going through a period of change like many towns, but we still regard Sutton Coldfield as a strong diverse town with a strong business community and a loyal customer base.
“The BID will be the voice of business lobbying on topics which affect businesses. The overall aim will be to ensure that businesses are listened to and promoted alongside ensuring the town remains relevant and flexible in an ever-changing environment. We look forward to keeping businesses up to date on what is happening during each step of the Masterplan.”
Councillor Simon Ward, leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Chairman of the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership:
“It’s now time to collectively look to the future of the town, as we embark upon the next stages of the ambitious regeneration of our Town Centre, working with the BID as a key partner. The BID plays such an important role with both its practical support for businesses but also as an authoritative voice for business locally. The Town Council values its partnership with the BID not only on the Masterplan, but across so many other important projects.”
David Pears, City Councillor Trinity Ward:
“We are working with all interested parties to keep businesses open and to reduce the number of vacant units even during future development stages. We need to keep the town vibrant and a viable shopping centre with a choice of retailers cafes and leisure related businesses.”
The Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID vision is to work with others to define, develop and promote the identity of Sutton Coldfield which reflects its strengths, attributes and heritage, whilst ensuring that the town remains vibrant and safe for all who visit, work or shop in the town. The town’s businesses, stakeholders and local residents are already proud of their town and the BID intend to build on this pride working with Birmingham City Council and Sutton Town Council and other organisations to promote what the town has to offer.
The new BID’s Business Plan:
For more information, please visit https://suttoncoldfieldtowncentre.co.uk/
