Stourbridge BID plans progress as council signs agreement to help drive improvements in the town
A plan to make Stourbridge a Business Improvement District (BID) to drive forward improvements in the town is set to plough ahead following the signing of an agreement with Dudley Council.
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Bosses at the council chiefs have pledged to work together with the newly formed Stourbridge BID on efforts to revitalise the town centre.
The new Business Improvement District came into force on April 1 after 77 per cent of town centre businesses voted for the initiative which will see around £835,000 generated over the next five years, from a levy imposed on businesses on top of existing business rates.
The money will then go towards supporting businesses and improving the town to help make it a more attractive place to shop and trade.
Traders voted in the autumn in favour of the BID which it is hoped will help to improve the area and bring in additional investment and the council has now confirmed bosses have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Stourbridge BID team - committing both parties to press ahead together with the plan.
Aaron Powell, chairperson of Stourbridge BID, welcomed the step forward - hailing it the start of a new chapter for the town.
He said: “We’re proud to officially launch Stourbridge BID and to have the strong backing of both local businesses and Dudley Council.
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marks the start of a new chapter for Stourbridge town centre, one where collaboration and shared vision will deliver real, lasting improvements.
“We’re committed to making Stourbridge a vibrant, welcoming, and thriving destination for businesses, residents and visitors alike.”
Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said of the plan: “As a council we have seen the huge difference the creation of a BID can make to a town in Halesowen.
“For that reason we were happy to back a similar BID in Stourbridge, and the signing of the MoU is a commitment from both parties to work together to drive improvements in the town centre.
“It is an exciting opportunity for business bosses to have an influence on making positive improvements to their towns.
“I think it will be a huge boost for Stourbridge, an opportunity to drive more trade and footfall to the town and create new jobs.”
