Who is behind the Skipton BID?
Anyone can apply for the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID). Skipton Chamber of Trade & Commerce has agreed to formulate its own BID to enhance an environment for better economic performance in the town. It has appointed Ian Lockwood, former editor of the Craven Herald as a co-ordinator to bring a vote to fruition. What will a Skipton BID do? Over the coming months businesses will be asked what sort of things they would like doing in Skipton to improve the town and create a better trading environment. It may mean cosmetic changes to the town, it may mean marketing the town better to the rest of the country, it may be spending money on Christmas lights or festivals. It will be up to the businesses in the town to decide the priorities. How will it be paid for? If the vote for a BID is successful, then the funds will be raised by a mandatory levy on the Business Rates. If the proposal is to seek a levy of 1 per cent on Business Rateable values, then this would raise in exce
