Will Ferndown Industrial estate become first ever Business Improvement District?

The majority of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) – partnerships between local businesses to benefit their trading environment – are town centres But there are increasing numbers in industrial areas – and firms on the Ferndwon and Uddens Industrial Estate are putting together a BID application.

BID chairman Russell Bowyer, of Custom World, has welcomed Gary Dale to the role of BID development manager to take the process forward to a ballot of businesses.

If the ballot approves the idea, a BID is funded for five years through a levy on businesses, based on their rateable value. Supporters say forming a BID would help support business collaboration and address issues such as better broadband, improved security and better accessibility.

The first consultation event on the estate takes place tomorrow, from 8am to 9.30am.

Mr Dale said: “I am very pleased to be supporting the Ferndown and Uddens BID. I have worked with businesses on the Industrial Estate, purchased goods there and also live in Ferndown, so it would be something special to help the area make a success of this opportunity.

“The idea of reinvesting revenue in a local area is nothing new, but the tight focus of a BID gives real control and a voice for businesses on the industrial estate. Recent more positive economic news places even more emphasis on the need to provide the local support and trading environ-ment that businesses require.

“We will soon have a new website and this first consultation event is just the start of us canvassing opinions from around the industrial estate on the issues that matter to them. I also welcome any feedback from busin-esses and interested organisations.”

BID supporters argue they help attract funding on top of the BID levy and are attractive to public sector grant-making bodies such as the Regional Development Agencies.

l Admission is free but businesses should email Gary Dale at gary.dale @ferndownanduddens.co.uk to book.