There is a just a week to go until the Newport Now BID ballot for a third 5-year term closes.
The postal ballot closes at 5pm on Thursday, November 28.
Newport Now is one of 340 BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) across the UK.BIDs are set up when businesses in the area they will serve vote to create them via a ballot.
BIDs are primarily funded by a small statutory levy paid by eligible businesses in the area they serve - in Newport these are businesses with a rateable value of £5,000 or more a year.
Each BID delivers a 5-year Business Plan before a new ballot is held to determine whether they should continue for a further 5 years.
We know many BID levy payers have already taken the time to vote and return their ballot papers and we’d like to thank you for that.
Representatives of just a few of the businesses who have already voted YES are picture above.
If you are still to vote, then please do so. It is, of course, entirely up to you how you vote but we would encourage you to vote YES so we can continue with our projects and services until at least 2030.
A YES vote will ensure investment of at least £1.1 million into the city centre from 2025 to 2030, on top of the £3 million the BID has invested in city since we began operations in 2015.
The alternative is that the BID closes and ceases operations for good on March 31 next year, meaning city centre businesses will lose all of the following overnight:
Events such as last week’s Countdown to Christmas lights switch-on, which attracted an additional 12,000 people into the city centre, and this summer’s month-long Urban Beach that was enjoyed by almost 10,000 children.
Funding for other major events such as the Food Festival, Pride in the Port and the Big Splash.
Street Ambassadors - on duty 5 days a week, assisting businesses and providing help for visitors and shoppers.
Night Ambassadors - on duty every Friday and Saturday night, helping keep the night time experience safe and enjoyable.
Shopfront Improvement Grant - helping businesses with new signage, painting, lighting and other exterior improvements.
Savings Advisory Service - saving businesses money on their energy, telecoms and merchant fees. More than £100,000 of savings have been identified to date.
Newport Now gift cards - these can only be spent with participating businesses in the BID area. Keeping the Newport pound in Newport.
Newport Now app - packed with offers and deals, events and trails. Free for BID members to promote their businesses.
Newport Business Against Crime Partnership - this service is primarily funded by the BID and provides businesses with free access to information-sharing software and the opportunity to join the CityNet radio system.
A voice for the businesses of the city centre - ensuring local and central governments are lobbied on your behalf.
If the BID ballot is not successful, there is no replacement body that will deliver the objectives, projects and services outlined in the BID's 2025-30 Business Plan.
If you intend to vote but don’t have the time to post your ballot papers, please contact our manager Kevin Ward here and he will arrange for our Street Ambassadors to collect your sealed envelope and deliver it to the Civic Centre.
Ballot packs were delivered by post to all levy payers on October 31.
If you have not received yours or have mislaid it, and you wish to vote, the following legal process must be followed in order to receive a replacement ballot pack.
As per Section 12 of Schedule 2 of The Business Improvement District (Wales) Regulations 2005, lost ballot papers can be re-issued on receipt of a written request to the Returning Officer at Newport City Council. You must provide adequate details of the business address concerned as the substantive ballot has to be cancelled before re-issue can take place. The written request should be sent by email to: leanne.rowlands@newport.gov.uk
You should say in your email if you want the ballot pack to sent to a particular address and for the attention of a particular person, or if you wish to collect in person from the Civic Centre by appointment.
Remember, the postal ballot closes at 5pm on Thursday, November 28.
Any votes received after then will not be counted. If you have any queries on any of the above, please feel free to contact the BID team.
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