Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has pressed ministers in the House of Commons for action to protect Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as the country emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
Business Improvement Districts are formal partnerships of businesses dedicated to supporting town centres through initiatives such as loyalty cards and facilitating events. Hinckley has one such successful BID which has helped drive regeneration in the town centre throughout the past decade.
BIDs are funded alongside the payment of business rates which means that many businesses have faced difficulty in paying their BID levy too.
Whilst Government have provided more than £6 million in financial support for BIDs during the lockdown period the longer term challenges of economic recovery are significant.
Dr Luke said “I’m grateful that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have stepped in to provide emergency support but BIDs are inextricably linked to the success of the high street and there will be challenges going forward, that’s why I took the opportunity to press ministers in the Chamber earlier this week.
“I’m pleased that Government sees BIDs as being at the heart of the economic regeneration we need after coronavirus, but we have to see evidence that is that case too.
“With more independent shops than other comparable towns Hinckley weathered the last recession better than most, I will continue to support the Hinckley BID in making sure we get through this tough time on the high street together.”
