New BID to boost businesses in Ipswich fails to gain council backing
The Destination Business Improvement District (DBID) initiative would aim to bring visitors to South Suffolk by ‘creating a coherent tourism offer’
Last updated 5th Oct 2023
An initiative aiming to boost businesses in South Suffolk has not received council support as it seeks backing.
The Destination Business Improvement District (DBID) initiative would aim to bring visitors to South Suffolk by ‘creating a coherent tourism offer’.
It has been put forward by a new business group, Explore Suffolk, who are sending letters to businesses across areas of Ipswich, East Suffolk, Mid Suffolk, and Babergh.
The DBID was brought to Ipswich council during last night’s executive meeting where it received a unanimous abstention.
Cllr Neil Macdonald, the council’s leader said:
“It is up to the businesses to make up their mind about it.
“I think it would be good, but it really is up to them, they have to make sure they are getting value for money.”
This DBID would be run by the same company that operates the current Ipswich Central, Locus, and funded through a levy paid by local businesses.
The report presented to the council stated an abstention could be seen as opposition to the BID due to the council’s approval of prior BIDs and should, therefore, be followed with clear communication regarding the reasoning.
Cllr Ian Fisher, who opposes the BID but also voted to abstain, does not believe the council has properly communicated its reasoning.
He said: “The pressure is on the smaller businesses, it’s extremely important that this council takes a lead.
“So many of the businesses we represent as a council are going to be paying a levy even though they will not benefit from it at all.”
Cllr John Cook, the portfolio holder for communities and sport, disagrees, he said:
“There are business opportunities for all businesses, what we’re seeing is opposition for opposition’s sake.”
Cllr Fisher’s sentiment, however, has been shared by several business communities, including Claydon and Whitton, who ask for greater transparency.
The levy would amount to 1.8 per cent, to be capped at £10,000, for any business within the DBID area with a rateable value above £24,500 and would be paid on top of the company’s business rates.
However, businesses that are already paying a levy as part of another BID are exempt from paying an additional one.
The money collected by the council would then act as a reinvestment into the local economy.
Explore Suffolk estimates the DBID would result in a £2m additional investment in the visitor economy, minus its running costs.