Bold Street’s future may lie with BID

Jun 6 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

BOLD Street traders are being asked to buy in to being part of Liverpool’s Business Improvement District at a meeting next week.

They will meet key BID operational staff on Monday evening who want to gauge the level of interest in expanding the Liverpool City Central BID to include the street.

The organisation is opening talks with shopkeepers and business owners and wants to put its case forward for the benefits being part of the BID can bring.

The Liverpool City Central BID team is keen to incorporate the city’s most independent street into its area.

Chief executive Rita Waters said: “We are keen to unite Bold Street and the existing BID area as it is one of the city centre’s best assets.

“If they came on board, they would have access to our economies of scale and help the street give its best possible offer to shoppers.

“It is a unique part of Liverpool’s retail landscape and the BID could assist in promoting this in the long run.”

The BID has 500 members, which are based in the traditional retail heart of the city centre.

Currently the BID’s boundary is Queen Square, Ranelagh Street, Church and Lord Street, Cavern Quarter and Whitechapel. It does not include Liverpool One.

If they agree to join the scheme, Bold Street traders will pay an extra levy on business rates to be included in extra street cleaning, promotions and crime reduction schemes. The levy is set at 1.2% of businesses’ rateable value, if that value is above £10,000, which will include all but the very smallest retail outlets.

Ms Waters believes the extra investment would amount to £6m over five years.

“Additional street cleaning as well as schemes such as the radio security network will help Bold Street become a safer, cleaner destination,” she said.

The BID funds five additional street cleaners and two street crime wardens for the city centre.

alex.turner