Funding Secured for Bangor Business Improvement District Proposal

The creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) for Bangor has taken an important step forward following confirmation of £40k of funding from both the Department for Communities (DfC) and Ards and North Down Borough Council.

This financial support is key to progressing the BID proposal towards the formal ballot stage, which enables local businesses to vote on its establishment.

Business Improvement Districts are business led partnerships that facilitate the business community and local authorities to work together to improve the local trading environment. Through a collaborative approach, BIDs seeks to create a more vibrant, attractive, and prosperous town or city centre for the benefit of businesses, residents, and visitors.

The proposed Bangor Business Improvement District will include key commercial areas, including Main Street, High Street, Quay Street, Queen's Parade, Hamilton Road, Abbey Street, and the areas bordering Ward Park and Castle Park. It will unite businesses from the retail, hospitality, arts, leisure, and transport sectors to jointly fund and deliver improvements such as enhanced street cleaning, public-space upgrades, events and targeted marketing activity designed to promote Bangor as a vibrant destination and boost footfall throughout the city.

The Bangor BID Steering Group, made up representatives from the local business community, will shortly begin a robust ballot campaign process. This will include engaging with local businesses, property owners and community groups to gather input and build support for the BID proposal. They will also create a comprehensive business

plan outlining the objectives, strategies, and projects to be undertaken within the BID area if successful.

All eligible businesses within the approved BID boundary will then be given the opportunity to vote to approve the establishment of a BID.

Welcoming the news the BID Steering Group said: "After two years of working together to establish the Bangor Business Improvement District (BID), the members of the steering group are delighted that DfC and Ards and North Down Borough Council have committed to financially supporting development of the project. This huge step forward allows us to recruit a full time project officer to carry out in-depth consultation with local businesses and develop a business case that sets out what the Bangor BID will deliver. It has been a very positive experience for the sixteen members of the Steering Group, working together across sectors, and we hope that this positivity will gather momentum as the project progresses."

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum said: "I am excited by the progress made in the Bangor business community's efforts to establish a Business Improvement District. The BID Steering Group has shown great drive to get to this stage and is committed to delivering a successful ballot in the coming months. This can only be good news for Bangor and I would encourage all businesses to the BID boundary to find out more and have their say on the future of the city they work in."

Welcoming Bangor's plans to become a Business Improvement District, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said, "Business Improvement Districts play an important role in driving enhancements and increasing footfall in our city centres, making them destinations to work, live and visit. I am pleased to support funding for the campaign to establish a Business Improvement District for Bangor and wish the Steering Group and businesses community every success."

For more information on the proposed BID and how to get involved, please contact Bangor Business Improvement District Limited or visit www.bangorbid.com

Pictured: Lawrence Hyland, Deputy Director (Regional Development Office) Department for Communities; Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum; Alison Gordon, Bangor Business Improvement District (BID) Steering Group.