Businesses come out in force to back waterfront bid

Business leaders are being encouraged to put their faith in the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and its bid to continue the area’s Business Improvement District for a further five years.

The Waterfront BID began in March 2012 and currently represents more than 660 businesses in a three-square mile area stretching from Royal William Yard to Queen Anne’s Battery Marina.

But the BID is up for renewal in March and local business owners are being asked to back Waterfront BID2 in a ballot next month – stretching until March 2022 and including the highly- anticipated Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020. It’s proposed that Waterfront BID2 will represent more than 750 businesses and expand its boundary to encompass Mayflower Marina and Mount Batten.

Today some of Plymouth’s top business leaders expressed support for the PWP’s plans and said the area needed an organisation whose sole purpose was to make the most of the city’s beautiful Waterfront.

Richard Stevens, Chairman of Devon Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus, said: “The Waterfront is the jewel in the crown of Plymouth but it desperately needed a good polish.

“The PWP has made it sparkle and turned it into a destination of choice. It is now recognised as an asset to the city".

“There are some really big ticket items planned, from the new luxury hotel to the Mayflower 400 celebrations, but we shouldn’t forget the devil’s in the detail and everything has to be executed and managed effectively and cohesively if we are to make this city and the Waterfront all it could be.”

Funded by Waterfront business, the private sector led not for profit BID has delivered numerous projects to improve the area for traders and visitors alike, including creating and delivering new events the Plymouth Pirates Weekend and the Plymouth Seafood Festival, Christmas lights, better signage, brighter lighting and cleaner streets.

And the Waterfront BID2 team has some ambitious plans for the future, including expanding events, creating new trails, reducing business costs, celebrating the city’s heritage and increasing connectivity across the Waterfront and with the City Centre.

Mr Stevens added: “We have to repurpose the Waterfront area to stay commercially viable. It’s now a recreational area for leisure and pleasure and that’s what the PWP has helped us realise".

“I would urge everyone to get behind Waterfront BID2 for the good of the city and its jewel, our beautiful Waterfront.”

Businesses inside the BID area pay a levy of 1.5 per cent of their rateable value annually in return for enhanced services and projects, entirely additional to the City Council’s delivery.

Since 2012 the Waterfront BID team has ring-fenced council services to the tune of £2.77m, secured the creation of a Masterplan for the Waterfront and ensured Plymouth’s promotion at tradeshows including International Confex, and the Brest International Maritime Festival.

Owner of café, shop and workshop space Make at 140, Lizzy Evans, said: “Over the last five years there has been a real improvement to the look of the Waterfront area, even in the most basic things like plant pots.

“I think it’s a really important resource and people have to remember there is no alternative in place. Without the Waterfront BID team, there will be no one there to fight our corner.

“There is so much potential for the Waterfront over the next five years and I want to see the area grow, with more event promotion and visitor growth.

“Without the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, I think a lot of the momentum will be lost.” 

Stuart Elford, Director of Operations and Development at GA Solicitors, said: “I think it’s vital to have a BID in place.

“They have the knowledge and the contacts to get things done and they have made a real effort to engage with local businesses to include the ideas of the people who actually live and work in the area.

“Plymouth is Britain’s Ocean City. We need a team whose sole purpose is to make our Waterfront attractive, exciting and accessible to all.”

Plymouth College of Art Director of Development, Hannah Harris, said: “Having a central team to co-ordinate events and services is critical for the Waterfront, which is such a key part of the city as a whole.

“It’s a big job combining the operational with the strategic but the Waterfront BID team is looking to the future and understands what needs to be done.

“I know it’s a financial commitment but people need to understand that there is no effective alternative that would offer the same level of activity and support.

“No one else will pick up the responsibility and I can’t think of a better more dedicated and committed team to carry on the Waterfront BID.”

Next Month the PWP will invite more than 800 Waterfront business - including shops, restaurants, marinas, hotels and guest houses - to take part in a ballot, ahead of the original BID ending on March 31st.

To attend the PWP Bid conference on the 25th of January please visit the Waterfront Bid website http://www.waterfrontbid.co.uk/pwp-bid-renewal