FALMOUTH SAYS "YES" TO 'BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT' (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

FALMOUTH SAYS "YES" TO 'BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT'

March 17, 2009 11:00 AM

MP Julia Goldsworthy has welcomed news that a Business Improvement District (BID) has got the go ahead in Falmouth, following a "yes" vote from local businesses.

The result was delivered on Friday after a year of work by members of the BID steering group to develop the proposal. A total of 54 % of businesses took part in the ballot - 218 of the 407 eligible to vote. Of these, 153 were in favour, representing a 70% majority.

Work will start immediately to put proposals into motion for improved marketing, signage, events for Falmouth plus lobbying on local issues. £500,000 will be raised over the next five years through businesses agreeing to pay a one per cent levy on their business rates - which go into a ring-fenced pot to be spent only on projects for Falmouth.

Commenting, Falmouth and Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy said:

"It's welcome news that businesses in Falmouth have shown such support for the establishment of a Business Improvement District. The scheme has the potential to bring significant benefits to the whole town, and will kick start an important programme of work in the area.

"I was working for the Regeneration Team at Carrick when the original 'BID' process started in Truro. It's fantastic that Falmouth will also now gain from the scheme, and congratulations are due to those who have worked so hard to deliver this excellent result."

Terrye Teverson, parliamentary candidate for Truro and Falmouth, is in business herself in Cornwall and was nominated in the Business Leader of the Year awards in 2007. Terrye, who will be attending the Falmouth Business Forum this week, added:

"As a business woman myself I know how tough it is at present. This shows a positive move forward for the business community of Falmouth. They are rising to the challenge of the next few years in regenerating and marketing Falmouth.

"I am delighted that such a large majority of businesses were thinking about the future of their town. I look forward to meeting leading members of the community at the Falmouth Business Forum this week."