Waterfront BID Achieves 40% of City’s Waterfront Business Plan
The Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP) Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID) has delivered 40% of its Waterfront Business Plan.
After conducting a two year strategic review of delivery, PWP’s Board of Directors acknowledged successful completion of many of the forty two BID projects outlined in the Waterfront Business Plan, including Marketing, Events and Environmental Improvements.
Chris Arscott, Chair of PWP and Destination Plymouth Director, said “Delivery of the business driven BID is going well and on target. PWP’s Waterfront Manager works closely with partners in Plymouth City Council, the City Centre Company and Destination Plymouth which is no doubt proving a tremendous success, achieving the pace, momentum and shared resources needed to deliver such a large transformational plan.”
“We’ve spent the first two years delivering Marketing and Events projects, pooling cash contributions with partners to secure national promotion of events and attractions, designing and funding an annual events calendar that positions Plymouth as a regional cultural capital and working with Conference Plymouth to attract conferences to Plymouth. But there’s no room for complacency and the next two years require continued focus and dedicated delivery.”
The PWP Waterfront BID was voted into operation in March 2012 with a five year operational term and tasked to deliver forty two Waterfront focused BID projects including enhancements for a cleaner, safer area, with dramatically improved visitor signage and interpretation, Christmas lights in the Barbican, creation of new events including the Pirates Weekend and Plymouth Seafood Festival, recruitment of an Evening and Night Time Economy coordinator and promotion of mini destinations including the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, The Hoe, Millbay and Royal William Yard.
Sarah O’Leary, PWP’s Waterfront Manager, was recruited to design and implement the BID, working with Waterfront businesses across the area. Often in addition to delivering BID projects, the role engages in additional essential Waterfront work, including most recently assisting in coordinating the response to foreshore storm damage.
A twenty four strong membership of the PWP Advisory Board guides and influences project delivery. The Waterfront BID encompasses a geographical range of more than three square miles, seven different business sectors and in excess of four thousand residents. The PWP Advisory Board has representation from businesses across Bretonside, Sutton Harbour, The Barbican, Hoe, West Hoe, Millbay and Royal William Yard.
Chris Price, Chair of the PWP Advisory Board and Manager of Queen Anne’s Battery Marina, said “The impact of business views through the Advisory Board enhances governance of the Waterfront BID and influences how annual BID Levy contributions are allocated. With representation across seven business sectors and Ward Councillor residential influences across the entire geographical range of the Waterfront BID, we ensure all views are acknowledged and voices heard.”
Whilst business driven across both of its governing Boards, the BID has committed support from the highest levels of Plymouth City Council.
Peter Smith, Deputy Leader of the Council and PWP Director said “PCC offers support, adheres to twenty five Service Level Agreements committed to delivering within the Waterfront BID area and responds to lobbying from the Waterfront businesses it represents.”
The PWP run Waterfront BID represents more than six hundred and twenty businesses and was voted into being in March 2012 by 59% of Waterfront businesses turning out, resulting in a 70% yes vote. The Yes vote represented 79 per cent majority of the total rateable value of businesses which voted in the ballot compared to the national average of 70 per cent.
