BID team welcomes plans from retail expert

Mary Portas' plans to revitalise Britain's high streets have been backed by the team behind the Newbury BID

RETAIL expert, Mary Portas' plans to revitalise Britain's high streets have been welcomed by the team proposing a Business Improvement District for Newbury.

In her report, Portas includes 28 recommendations to halt the decline of Britain's high streets, which she attributes to the rise of super-malls, out-of-town supermarkets and internet shopping.

Twenty-five thousand shops have been lost in the UK in the past ten years, and the report warns more will follow as families switch to malls, supermarkets and the internet for shopping.

Portas recommends that towns adopt BIDs, a district where each business pays a levy to raise money for projects, to drive footfall into high streets.

Newbury town centre businesses are currently considering whether to adopt a BID generating an estimated £1,060,000 over a five year period.

Newbury BID Manager, Russell Downing backs the Portas report. “It's very encouraging to see the report emphasises the importance of BIDs and the management of all aspects of town centres,” Mr Downing said. “We need to manage our high streets as businesses to deliver the requirements of shoppers in the 21st century. The BID sets out to empower shops and businesses to take control and improve the trading environment with clear accountability."

Newbury's BID draft business plan was published last month with the final business plan expected to be produced on February 1, 2012.

Ballot papers will then be sent out to all businesses by March 29 with firms given until 5pm on April 30 to vote.

The Government will publish its response to Portas' proposals in early 2012.