Could Okehampton get a 'BID' group?

Idea rejected 10 years ago

Another attempt is to be made to gauge support for a business improvement district (BID) in Okehampton, more than 10 years after it failed because many smaller businesses objected.

Local authorities have been spearheading the idea but as yet the traders themselves are not sold on it, despite enthusiasm from some larger firms.

A BID, which has been running in West Devon’s other main town of Tavistock since 2011, with similar ones in Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay, would involve business ratepayers in Okehampton paying a levy between 1.25 per cent and two per cent of their rateable value, which would bring in between £60,000 and £130,000 a year to promote the town.

The money is used for marketing, enhancing what the town has to offer, in turn increasing footfall and helping the local economy.

Over the last 13 years, more than £750,000 has been invested into Tavistock and, with the support of around 300 business owners, stakeholders and key partners, the BID has developed an “relevant and achievable plan” for the future. The businesses who pay into the BID vote to renew or close the scheme every five years.

The creation of an Okehampton BID will be discussed at two days of free workshops for businesspeople in the town later this month.

This comes after West Devon Borough Council, Devon County Council, Okehampton Town Council and Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council surveyed businesses about potential improvements to the high street and wider town.

Cllr Neil Jory, West Devon Borough Council’s lead member for the economy, said: “We always want to do everything in our power to support our local businesses, and try to create communities and high streets that are thriving. That’s why we’ve been surveying businesses in Okehampton – to find out what they want and need to help them flourish in the future.”

Cllr Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council cabinet member for economic recovery and skills, said the recent reinstatement of the Dartmoor Line and plans to open a second rail station are extremely positive and it gives Okehampton's economy huge potential for growth.

Kevin Cotter of the Harvest Workers’ Co-op who run a shop in Okehampton’s Red Lion Yard said he hoped Devon County Council would review its plans to introduce on-street parking charges as they would not help the high street.

He will be asking what the benefits are for businesses who pay into the BID as he had limited knowledge of the scheme.

Clothing store owner Tricia Shaw said something needed to be done the “liven up” the high street and get the tourists spending money in the shops as Okehampton could not rely on local trade alone.

“I don’t know if the BID is the answer because traders are struggling and don’t have any extra cash. We have very interesting shops and very few empty units, we just need to make the town look a bit more glamourous and let people know what is here so they stop and don’t just pass through.”

Borough councillor for Okehampton Cllr Kevin Ball said the town would “definitely benefit from a cohesive approach to business”.

“Whether it is a BID or not I would like to think that something positive will happen to benefit everyone in the town,” he said.

The disbanding of the chamber of trade is thought to have contributed to the unsuccessful attempt to set up an Okehampton BID in 2013.

West Devon Borough Council said the ongoing discussions with the community included looking at a business forum and whether a BID would be the right kind of model for the town.

“The business community has to show a desire for it before any ballot would go ahead,” said a spokesperson.

“We are not at the stage of a ballot being confirmed but if the business community shows an appetite for it through these workshops, a ballot could take place in the summer of 2024.”

If successful the BID is likely to be set up in the autumn.

The times and venues for the workshops are:

Monday 29 January
10am to 11.30am Okehampton Town Hall Council Chamber

12.30pm to 2pm: Okehampton Business Centre

3pm to 4.30pm: Okehampton Town Hall Council Chamber

5.30pm to 7pm: Okehampton Town Hall Committee Room

Tuesday 30 January

8am to 9.30 m: A30 Business Centre

11am to 12.30pm: Okehampton Business Centre

2pm to 3.30pm: Okehampton Town Hall Council Chamber