Amanda McLoughlin
Discover Twickenham BID Manager
The result of the independent ballot about Twickenham’s Business Improvement District (BID) is in and 56% of businesses have voted in favour of having a BID in the town, giving a strong mandate for another 5 years.
Over 350 businesses across Twickenham were asked whether or not they wanted to continue funding a BID. A 56% majority of voters said yes. The positive vote means that businesses can now work collectively to deliver the new 5-year business plan created after an extensive consultation process with local businesses.
Discover Twickenham is led by a volunteer board of directors made up of local business owners and managers, who give their time and expertise for free to help the town. Kevin Jones, co-owner of Eel Pie Records and Chair of Discover Twickenham BID said “The Board of Directors would like to thank every business for participating in this ballot. The strong turnout and the high positive result represent a vote of confidence in the concept of BIDs and are a result of us businesses having worked collectively for the common good of our town over recent years.
The new 5- year business plan contains many exciting initiatives and I look forward to seeing its implementation. I encourage all local businesses to get in touch to help influence what happens in Twickenham over the next 5 years and to steer the investments we will now be able to make”.
Business Improvement Districts are funded by a levy paid by all businesses in a BID area. The levy is charged equitably based on rateable value so that the largest businesses pay the most. The funding is applied directly to the BID area. Every business above a specific threshold rateable value was eligible to vote in the ballot and can contribute to delivery of the BID’s business plan. By working together, businesses can help make Twickenham an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.
View the official declaration of result for this ballot.
Persons eligible to vote in the ballot will be nominated representatives of the non-domestic ratepayer listed on the Council’s database for each hereditament (business premises) with a rateable value of £12,000 or over, situated in the geographical area of the proposed BID as at the date of the Notice of Ballot (30th August 2023).
Each person entitled to vote in this ballot shall have one vote in respect of each hereditament occupied, (or if unoccupied, owned by them) in the geographical area of the proposed BID.
If you (or your proxy if you appoint one) do not receive your ballot paper, you may apply to UK Engage for a replacement paper, providing evidence as to your identity. These replacement ballot papers cannot be issued before Friday 6th October.
Should you spoil your ballot paper you should return it to UK Engage, requesting a replacement, by no later than 5pm on Monday 2nd October at the above address and a replacement ballot paper will be sent to you.
Persons eligible to vote in the BID ballot may appoint someone else to vote on their behalf as proxy (for example, if they were going to be away at the time of the ballot). Applications to appoint a proxy must be submitted to UK Engage at the following address:
UK Engage, Image House, 10 Acorn Business Park, Heaton Lane, Stockport SK4 1AS.
These must be received by post or email to k.mallon@uk-engage.org by no later than 5pm on Monday 2nd October 2023.
Such applications must be in writing and:-