Retail & Leisure BID, which was first established in 2005, secured its fourth term after businesses in the city’s retail and leisure district voted 66% in favour of renewal. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool’s retail district Business Improvement District (BID) will continue for another five years – releasing a £5m investment to make the area cleaner and safer.

The Retail & Leisure BID, which was first established in 2005, secured its fourth term after the city’s retailers voted 66% in favour of renewal. They will now continue to pay levy on top of their business rates to fund the initiative.

Clean and safe

Liverpool BID Company, which also runs a separate Commercial District BID, had pledged to spend £5m over the next five years if the vote was successful.

It will use the money to further tackle anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and street dwelling and the BID radio link service which allows retailers to quickly share information about potential thieves and troublemakers.

It will also fund extra street cleaning, on top of the normal council provision, provide events and ‘animation’ to the streets, enhancing the visitor appeal, and look to raise standards of customer service as well as increasing connectivity and wi-fi access.

New additions

The retail BID incorporates areas such as Bold Street, Cavern Quarter, Church Street, Williamson Square, Clayton Square, Queen Square, St Johns and Metquarter, and also includes new areas such as Renshaw Street, Victoria Street and the Bluecoat. However, the BID does not cover the Liverpool One estate.

BIDs have become increasingly popular across the UK. Elsewhere in the city region BIDs have also been established in Birkenhead, Southport and Warrington.

Big job

Bill Addy, chief executive of the Liverpool BID Company, said: “We always listen to our levy payers, and never take their vote for granted. We have a big job to do and now we are going to get on and do it.

“A thriving city economy relies on the success of its high street. We will continue to play a key role in supporting our levy payers in this rapidly changing sector, providing additional services to create cleaner and safer streets, along with a well promoted and animated city centre that encourages visitors to return time and again.”

Roll-out

Ian Strettle, centre manager at Clayton Square and chair of the Retail & Leisure BID, said: “This is a fantastic vote of confidence from our levy payers in the retail and leisure community for the work Liverpool BID Company has done over the past 13 years and for our ambitions for the next term.

“We will now begin to roll out our business plan, working with our partners at Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and the private sector, to make the city centre a safer, cleaner and more thriving place.”