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 programme of investment is delivered through the four strategic objectives and their related projects.
- 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.
- To create a sense of ‘place’ for visitors and people working in the town centre to enjoy.
- To provide a welcoming and easily accessible place for visitors, workers and residents to explore.
- To encourage growth, development and investment of businesses which complement and build on the strengths of Halifax town centre.
The 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. In the south it follows Prescott Street and Savile Row up to Savile Crescent then turns up to the north along Balmoral Place to pick up Delph Street, Boyne Street and Hall Street to meet the A58 and follow the road back to the apex in the north.
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.