Business tax plan to promote Solihull approved

SHOPPING guide assistants could be coming to Solihull after a key vote was won that will tax businesses to promote the town.

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The helpers are among the ideas being considered for the Business Improvement District plan, which traders voted through this week.

It will be funded by a levy of one percent on the rateable value of about 500 firms in a bid to raise £2.5m in five years.

Its backers say the plan will provide a ‘better and safer environment, quality marketing and promotion as well as improvements in partnerships with the local authority and the public services’.

It says the result was ‘better than anticipated’ with 75 per cent voting in favour. Half were needed for the plan to go ahead. Some 135 voted out of a potential 457, organisers told The Silhillian.

The Solihull Times publicly backed the scheme though The Solihull Observer this week strikes a more sceptical tone, given the the turnout

Pre-BID board chairman by Sue Yates: “The 'yes' vote means that local and national retailers as well as office- bound companies in the centre of Solihull can look forward to many improvements in their trading and service environment and we can ensure that we can compete with neighbouring towns already enjoying the benefits of BID status”.

A company will now formed to put the plan into place.

A press release said this will be ‘independent, not-for-profit organisation controlled by the private sector with 15 directors and a chair person’.

BID board members celebrate the approval

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