The document summarizes a briefing given by John Harvey, the City Centre Manager for the Business Improvement District (BID) in Exeter, to the Exeter Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee. The briefing discussed what a BID is, how it works, and what it could deliver for Exeter, including increased foot traffic, consumer spending, and investor confidence through additional projects and services to improve the trading environment. A BID is a business-led public-private partnership that is locally initiated, funded through a levy on business rates, and managed to advocate for businesses and market the area.

1. John Harvey City Centre Manager BID (Business Improvement District) Briefing Exeter Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee 14 September 2010

2. BID = Business Improvement District A business led private/public partnership Initiated, funded and managed locally Invests in additional projects and services To create an improved trading and working environment BID Basics – What is a BID?

3. Build on success… Exeter well positioned… Address local issues and opportunities Provide sustainable and 100% ring fenced funding Reduce freeloading Enable longer-term planning & delivery & certainty Why Do BIDs Work?

4. Concept from US – highly successful Enabling legislation Defined area and business focus BID Proposal determined locally – business vote (Business ratepayers/Hereditament) Dual key majority BID Term Fair & Transparent BID levy Agreed baseline services Potential for further leveraged money BIDs – ‘The Technical Stuff’

5. Better marketing & promotion Christmas Lights Brighter, cleaner, safer streets Effective business voice Innovation Strengthening the ‘corporate’ message… and emphasising local distinctiveness Building on already great recent track-record on inward investment What A BID Could Deliver For Exeter

6. Increased footfall & repeat visits Improved ‘dwell time’ Increased consumer spend & sales More attractive environment – for employees, customers, visitors and residents Increased investor confidence Strengthening public/private links & work Reductions in cost of crime How can businesses benefit from a BID?

7. Assists capital value growth Increases rental value Increases occupier interest Assists businesses in lower footfall areas Good PR How do property owners/developers benefit?

8. Project Ideas… … needed to feed in to the business plan Use your imagination Keep the ideas coming What’s the perspective of our visitors… … our shoppers … our workers and colleagues It’s all about YOU…

9. Timetable Database On-going dialogue/consultation The Business Plan – ‘Manifesto’ Levy – likely to be 1½% Implementation Next Steps…

10. John Harvey Contacts: e-mail – [email_address] Mobile – 07795 438 297 Office – 01392 665 664 Twitter – www.twitter.com/exeterccm