Covid-19 crisis drives vote on Peterborough BID into the autumn

The boundary for the proposed Peterborough BID area.

It had been hoped the vote on the project, which could mean more funds for city centre improvements from festival and events to extra street cleaning, would take place next month.

But the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and enforced lockdowns have prompted organisers to move the vote into October.

A spokeswoman said: “Covid and lockdown made it impossible for us to consult with businesses and move forward with the BID while they were closed in lockdown and obviously had other things to worry about than the BID at that time.

Mark Broadhead, chairman of Peterborough Positive. EMN-201003-072049009

“The ballot will be taking place in October 2021.”

A Business Improvement District is a defined area in which businesses are required to pay a supplementary levy of 1.5 per cent on top of their business rates.

But the BID can only go ahead if a majority of the 485 businesses in the proposed BID area vote in favour.

The BID campaign is being led by Peterborough Positive, chaired by Mark Broadhead, and which is hosting three workshops next month with city businesses.

They take place on May 11 from 9am to 10.30am, May 13 from 1pm to 2.30pm and May 18 from 4pm to 5.30pm.

The spokeswoman said: “Businesses can have a say on what they feel the priorities should be. The workshops will explain the BID concept and how a BID is developed.”

l To register to take part in the workshops visit: https://pboropositive.eventbrite.co.uk/

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