Halifax said yes!
Following the yes vote, the town centre’s Business Improvement District commenced on 1st April 2017. Businesses pay an annual levy and this collective pot of around £2.4 million will be ring-fenced and invested in the town centre over the next five years.
Through this business-led programme of investment the vision is: ‘To develop the Halifax town centre into a quality destination and a great place for business, leisure and culture with a profile which is recognised regionally and nationally, for being, family friendly, welcoming and inclusive to all and which builds upon its heritage and looks to the future.’
The BID Area
The Halifax Business Improvement District covers the town centre from an apex in the north between the A58 and Charlestown Road, running along the western side of Charlestown Road in the east to Southowram Bank where it meets the railway and along the railway and down to the station and the Eureka Museum.
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The Vote
In order for the proposals set out in this Business Plan to go ahead, more than 50 per cent of voting business ratepayers had to vote ‘yes’. Those in favour also have to represent at least 50 per cent of the combined ‘rateable values’ of those who vote. If these two criteria are met, the Business Plan is activated and all businesses in the area concerned will be required to pay the levy.
The persons entitled to vote, and be liable for the levy, are the ratepayers of non-domestic premises in the Business Improvement District. Properties with a rateable value of less than £6,000 will be excluded from the vote and levy.
The Levy
A levy of 1.75% of rateable value (RV) was proposed for businesses with an RV of £6,000 or more businesses which fall within the levy criteria . This levy arrangement will generate around £2.2 million of ring-fenced funding over the five-year life of the BID and will be used to lever in additional funds where possible adding a further £210,000 over the life of the BID. This will be used to fund the projects identified in this Business Plan.
Business Tools
Paying your Levy
Every business in Halifax town centre (with a rateable value above £6K) is required to pay a levy which is in addition to business rates and needs to be paid separately.
Prompt payment will help ensure that the objectives from our business plan, which were voted in favour of, will come to fruition. Thank you
How to pay your levy
BACS/Internet Banking: You will need to contact your bank to make arrangements to pay this way. Payments should be made to National Westminster Bank PLC. The account to be credited is Calderdale MBC, Head Office Collection Account, Sort Code 62-21-45. The bank account number should be formatted as 00000000 (eight zeros). Please ensure that your BID payment reference number is quoted in full with no spaces.
Internet by debit or credit card: Pay online 24 hours a day via the Council website www.calderdale.gov.uk, please note that a surcharge will be made for credit card payments, no charge is made for debit card payments.
Payment by Post: Please make cheques payable to Calderdale MBC and send to Halifax BID Limited, PO Box 51, Halifax, HX1 1TP. Please write your BID account reference number and property address on the back of the cheque.
Many thanks,
Halifax BID
Downloads
FAQ's
Head to our Frequently asked questions here
The Vision
To develop Halifax town centre into a quality destination and a great place for business, leisure and culture with a profile which is recognised regionally and nationally, for being family-friendly, welcoming and inclusive to all and which builds upon its heritage and looks to the future.’
The programme of investment is delivered through the four strategic objectives and their related projects.
Objective 1
Lively & Well Promoted
To develop and promote the strengths and characteristics of Halifax and build awareness of its retail, professional service, leisure and cultural offer locally, regionally and nationally.
Amount the BID will spend:£614,000 over 5 years
Objective 2
Smart & Attractive
To create a sense of ‘place’ for visitors and people working in the town centre to enjoy.
Amount the BID will spend:£437,000 over 5 years
Objective 3
Welcoming & Accessible
To provide a welcoming and easily accessible place for visitors, workers and residents to explore.
Amount the BID will spend:£637,000 over 5 years
Objective 4
A great business & leisure offer
To encourage growth, development and investment of businesses which complement and build on the strengths of Halifax town centre.
Amount the BID will spend:£614,000 over 5 years
A message from the chair of Halifax BID
The Halifax Business Improvement District (BID) was approved in October 2016, when 67% of businesses by number and 75% by rateable value said YES to an investment programme in our town centre. The Halifax BID will run for the next 5 years commencing in April.
The Halifax BID will deliver activities based on 4 key strategic objectives and their related activities which were identified after extensive consultation with town centre businesses. You will have received a copy of the business plan; please click here for a downloadable copy.
A Business Improvement District provides us with an opportunity to forge stronger links between town centre businesses from all sectors and work on projects which we initiate and which are important to us as committed and hardworking business people. The BID will work hard in building relationships with the local authority and other organisations in order to meet our objectives.
Towns and cities across the UK are changing rapidly and we believe that the Halifax BID will ensure that our town centre does not simply look to the past but takes advantage of its heritage to look to the future. If you would like to know more or would like to get involved with the management groups that steer the BID projects, please contact us via info@halifaxbid.co.uk
Leigh-Anne Stradeski
Chair of the Halifax BID Board &
Chief Executive Eureka! Children’s Museum
