Agenda item

Report DRR16/050

Following the successful establishment of BIDs in Orpington and Bromley Town Centres, Members considered the feasibility of extending the BID approach to other town centres in the borough – specifically Beckenham and Penge town centres.  The report outlined the business case for the Council to invest in the introduction of further BID areas and contained a summary of issues arising in each town together with an explanation of how a BID could assist with tackling those issues.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support reported that the Town Centre Manager post for Beckenham and Penge had been retained for a further year.  However, as part of the post-holder’s existing role, they would need to manage the project to develop the proposed Beckenham and Penge BIDs.  The Portfolio Holder noted the Town Centre Manager was coping well.  The BID development project was ongoing and would be delivered to a ballot in the timescale envisaged.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support reported that a feasibility study had been carried out by Mosaic which indicated there was a positive feeling amongst business rate payers.  It was noted however, that if one of the two towns did not vote in favour of a BID, plans for sharing of back office costs would need to change.

Members considered the owners of a substantial number of businesses between the two boundaries may feel left out and it would go some way to enhancing the BID if the two boundaries were combined.  Officers agreed to look at the inclusion of businesses between the Beckenham and Penge boundaries, i.e. in the Clock House area.  However, the Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support pointed out that the final decision on boundaries would be made by the businesses involved in the BID working groups at a later date, on the basis of whether any boundary extension would bring sufficient financial benefit to the BIDs and on whether businesses in these peripheral areas would stand to benefit from the BIDs – both of which were likely to be town centre focussed.

The reported percentage figures for food and drink businesses in the feasibility research were thought to be unrepresentative of the true number of establishments within the two towns.  The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support agreed to ensure that this under-representation was rectified as part of the more in-depth consultation which was the next stage of BID development.

Members were disappointed that only 11% of businesses responded to the survey (page 88).  With only 30% of respondees having knowledge of what BIDS were and how they worked, it was clear that more information should be made available.  It was interesting to note that 80% of people in Beckenham and 65% in Penge wanted more car parking.  It was essential that as many people/organisations as possible should be involved in the BID making process. The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support explained that feasibility studies did not aim for higher than an 11% response rate.  Availability and costs of parking were, perennially, one of the biggest issues in surveys of town centre businesses; BIDs did not have authority to build car parks. 

It was agreed that managers/officers of both Penge Traders and Beckenham Business Association be invited to the PDS meeting in November when the BIDs would be further considered.

It was suggested that the issue of loading bays and the introduction of very short stay car parking provision (under five minutes) be considered; this would be extremely useful along Beckenham High Street.

The Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support would check whether Ward Councillors for Beckenham and Penge had been consulted on this BID report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and comments on the suggested strategy for the introduction of BIDs in Beckenham and Penge town centres be provided to Members for further consideration at the Executive meeting on Wednesday 20 July 2016.