BIDs are run by businesses with the aim of improving the trading environment to attract shoppers and visitors. They are funded by a compulsory levy on business rates.
They can come into being only if a majority of the businesses that would pay the levy – by number and rateable value – support the idea.
Steve Matthews An attempt to establish a BID in Carlisle in 2012 was narrowly rejected but Carlisle City Centre Business Group has revived the idea and asked Carlisle City Council to conduct another ballot.
The group’s chairman, Steve Matthews, had said the ballot might be held this autumn but now says it will be early next year.
He said: “We think there are too many distractions for retailers in the run-up to Christmas, so the plan now is to go ahead in January.”
The BID would be bounded by Castle Way, West Walls and Spencer Street, extending down Botchergate to Tait Street and Crown Street.
Businesses within that area, that have a rateable value of £7,500 or more, would pay an annual levy of one per cent of their rateable value.
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