Love Hastings seeks fresh term with reduced budget
Love Hastings, the not-for-profit company which represents town centre businesses through a BID (Business Improvement District) programme, is seeking a second five-year term to continue its promotional and safeguarding role on their behalf – but with a reduced budget.
BID’s first five-year term will expire at the end of March. It was funded by around 500 eligible businesses in and around the town centre, each contributing 1.5% of the rateable value of their premises with a minimum payment of £120. The proposed new scheme will reduce this contribution over the next five years to 1.25% with no minimum. Smaller businesses will thus see greater savings.
In a survey carried out last year, businesses were given the chance to comment on the work done by the BID so far and to give their thoughts on what its future priorities should be.
CREDIT: Dave Young
Recently appointed BID Chair, Andrew Harvey, manager of Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, said: “Perhaps unsurprisingly, people’s lists of priorities haven’t changed much in the last five years. They still want us to work with the council and police to keep the town safe and clean, and they really value the work we do lobbying on their behalf for help and support in times of difficulty, such as what we have experienced during the COVID crisis. And, of course, they don’t want the town to lose its planters, hanging baskets, and Christmas lights.
“Also high on the list of things businesses value is the way we can use the money they contribute to put into many of the town’s key events. These are vital to the image of the town, and without our support many would struggle to put on these activities.
“What has come out of the consultation is that our members want to see more done to market Hastings as a whole to tourists and visitors further afield. This will mean working more closely with other businesses in the Old Town and St Leonards to keep Hastings on the map for people looking to take breaks in the UK.”
The BID proposals for the next five years make no mention of the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which is intended to be implemented under the Town Deal programme, entailing upwards of £20m funding from central government for renewal and upgrading parts of the town centre over the same time frame. Asked why not, John Bownas, manager of Love Hastings, explained that the TIP plans were essentially for capital investment, whereas the BID programme will be largely revenue-based. However, he agreed that the proposal within the TIP to significantly ‘green’ the town was a key element. “It makes the area more attractive for a future in which high streets will depend more upon people’s experiential interaction with spaces”, he said, “as opposed to the past when retail has been the big draw”.
The draft business plan can be found on the BID website at www.lovehastings.com.
Ballot papers will go out on 22 February and must be returned by 24 March.
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