The Abingdon-on-Thames Business Improvement District, covering the town centre, was two years in the planning, and has been operating now for one year.
It was voted in by a majority of businesses, and charges businesses a levy in addition to the usual business rate. It has employed a town centre manager, and in feedback to members has noted the following achievements …
It has developed the Visit Abingdon brand, with the visitabingdon.co.uk website and a promotional brochure for visitors.
It has co-ordinated an annual events calendar, and helped put on new seasonal events at Hallowe’en, Christmas (Carols round town) , and Easter (Egg and Spoon races)
It has put up bunting in bid areas.
It has installed footfall counters in 9 locations and monitors and reports the findings and the effect of promotions.
It has set up workshops on business topics such as using social media, and is looking to develop a utilities buying group.
It chases up landlords of empty units and contacts potential businesses to attract them to the area.
It also reports minor issues in the BID area to councils, and lobbies councils on larger issues such as the future use of the charter, and the empty Upper Reaches.
