A five-year business plan and renewal proposal will be presented to Shropshire Council's Cabinet on Wednesday 19 April, which outlines Shrewsbury BID (Business Improvement District)’s ambitions from 2024-2029.
Cabinet members will be asked to support the work of Shrewsbury BID, an independent, not-for-profit company dedicated to delivering projects and services which improve the trading environment for local businesses in Shrewsbury town centre. Shrewsbury BID is nearing the end of its second, five-year term and has proposed a renewal.
If supported by Cabinet, the intention is that a ballot of all businesses mandated to pay the levy within the defined BID area will take place from Thursday 8 June to Thursday 6 July 2023, where businesses will be asked to vote for or against a third term of the BID.
Shrewsbury BID is one of three partners of the Big Town Plan partnership, alongside Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council, who have committed to support Shrewsbury’s development to become an event better destination to work, visit and reside within.
This involves projects such as the Shrewsbury design code, public realm and movement strategy, and involvement with the Smithfield Riverside development.
The BID’s proposed business plan identifies four key priority areas if the ballot is successful:
- Original Shrewsbury – a project which focuses on visitor experience of the market town.
- Safer Shrewsbury – a plan which prioritises public safety of the town centre.
- Work in Shrewsbury – a new scheme which looks at attracting new employees and works with the growing and talented student community.
- Future Shrewsbury – which looks at the large-scale investment schemes happening in town, including the Smithfield Riverside development.