Plymouth’s Barbican, Hoe and Waterfront area could benefit from up to £6.2 million in investment over the next five years under plans for a Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID) unveiled today.
The first ever Business Plan for Plymouth’s Waterfront sets out an ambitious programme of projects to ensure the Waterfront is better promoted, cleaner, safer, well maintained and with an exciting events programme.
The aim is to put waterfront businesses in the driving seat to lead a boost in trade and put Plymouth’s greatest asset right where it belongs – as one of the UK’s leading visitor destinations.
Many local businesses have worked with Plymouth Waterfront Partnership over the last year in setting priorities for the area and producing the draft Waterfront Business Plan. Its publication today kick starts a consultation asking all waterfront businesses for their views on the proposals. Businesses will then vote during 2012 on whether to set up a Waterfront Business Improvement District and pay a Levy on top of their business rates to create an investment fund for bringing improvements to the area.
Professor David Wheeler, Chairman of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said:
”Thanks to numerous great ideas from waterfront businesses and the hard work of Council officers we have an excellent deal on the table. Now we need to turn the Business Plan into reality and drive up visitor numbers consistent with our long term ambitions for the waterfront.”
Waterfront Business Improvement District projects proposed within the draft Business Plan 2012 – 2017 include:
- Securing match funding to create a total investment budget of up to five times the contributions made by local businesses
- Significantly increasing the level of marketing activity including national and international marketing campaigns
- Developing a major events programme to drive visitor numbers and customer spend – including creating an internationally significant new late summer event building to a planned Mayflower 2020 celebration
- Comprehensive Waterfront cleaning and maintenance programme – including agreeing tough new minimum standards for Plymouth City Council services, repainting Smeaton’s Tower and launching new rapid response cleaning and repair teams
- Developing the evening economy with projects and initiatives to support Waterfront restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars, including the appointment of a new evening and night time economy manager
- Major improvement in signage and heritage information and creating linked boat, cycle and walking trails
- Providing strong leadership in the future development of the area, including establishing an agreed vision for development of key Waterfront sites and seeking funding for targeted improvements.
Cllr Ted Fry, Cabinet member for Planning, Strategic Housing and Economic Development said:
“The success of recent large scale events on the waterfront show what can be achieved by working together – both the public and private sector.
“A lot of background work has gone to create a plan that takes into account the need of the businesses along our waterfront as well as the wider growth ambitions of the city of Plymouth.
“We believe the plan plots a very practical and achievable course towards creating a vibrant waterfront. It’s a very exciting time for us.”
The consultation process with businesses runs until October 21, with the final Business Plan due to be published in November and a Ballot of businesses during 2012 on setting up a Business Improvement District for five years.
If the majority of businesses vote “yes” for a Business Improvement District a minimum of 580 identified businesses within the Tourism, Leisure, Retail and Professional Services sectors in the Plymouth Waterfront area will be required to contribute through a Levy – with the average business paying an annual Levy of £353 (£6.79 a week).
The aim is to take business contributions of just over £1 million and create a total investment of £6.2 million over five years through match-funding in services, Plymouth City Council contributions, trading income and grants.
The Waterfront BID could come into operation as early as April 2012 and would be similar in operation to the Plymouth City Centre BID which started in 2005 and has been hailed a resounding success – and scooped national awards – for transforming the City Centre’s shopping heartland, helping attract millions of pounds of investment and hundreds of thousands of new visitors.
The full draft version of the Waterfront Business Improvement District Business Plan is available at: www.waterfrontbid.co.uk
For further information contact: Sarah O’Leary Waterfront Manager on 01752 305424 or email waterfrontmanager@waterfrontbid.co.uk
“PHA members need this to drive visitor numbers and spend through better marketing and promotion. With a BID everyone has a vote and a voice.” Roy Martin, Chair, Plymouth Hospitality Association
“We need to create attractive physical links between the city centre and the Waterfront and shared marketing, encouraging visitors to explore the whole city. I’d love to see a permanent tall ship attraction on the Barbican. I believe the BID will secure a dynamic future for the entire Waterfront area and deliver these aspirations.” Ben Shearn, Chair of the Association of Barbican Businesses
“Securing Plymouth’s national conferencing profile is key to my members. We totally back the Waterfront BID.” John Morcom, Chair, Conference Plymouth
“This BID is good for business growth. Small businesses in the BID area need to make themselves aware of the advantages and then support the proposal.” Richard Thomas, Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses
“We fully support the BID process and look forward to seeing Plymouth’s Waterfront leisure assets getting the recognition and promotion they deserve on a national and international basis.” Dylan Kalis, Managing Director, Yacht Haven Marina
“The Waterfront’s hospitality offer is outstanding. A BID will help make it feel safer and cleaner for our customers.” Bobbi Hajjihanni, General Manager, New Continental Hotel
“I’m convinced that a Yes vote would measurably enhance Plymouth’s beautiful Waterfront, to the benefit of every business near it, and every person to visit it.” Gavin Marshall, Marketing Director, Plymouth Pavilions
“Although we accept this will increase our costs, the overall benefits far out way the marginal additional costs and will undoubtedly help put Plymouth’s waterfront well and truly on the national map, benefiting us all. We welcome and support the BID initiative and the bright future it heralds for the city of Plymouth.” Ed Steven, Managing Director, The Glassblowing House
‘It is paramount that a concerted, co-ordinated and consistent plan is put into place to push Plymouth to the fore as a prime location for both its on water and waterfront offerings and attractions. Plymouth is a historic and quite unique city by the sea and we must ensure that the facilities and services we can offer are fully communicated to the nation, Europe and the World’. Alex King, Mount Batten Watersports Centre
“We need more visitor attractions across the Waterfront to improve Plymouth’s offer. For example the NMA has benefited from the draw of the big wheel on the Hoe.” David Gibson, National Marine Aquarium
“Plymouth is defined by its Waterfront…it has a global relevance. Everyone should be concerned about its future.” Chris Robinson, the Plymouth Barbican Trust
“PWP provides businesses with autonomy to deliver the BID through a private sector approach.” Richard Sutton, Senior Partner, Foot Anstey
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