Councillors show their support for Solihull BID to reach 20 years

Solihull Council has thrown its support behind renewing the town's Business Improvement District (BID) into a 20th year. The authority, along with Solihull businesses, will vote on the renewal later this year and senior councillors have now said they will fully back it.

A BID is a defined area where a levy is charged on business rate payers. The money is used to develop projects which aim to benefit companies in the area. Solihull BID was formed in March 2010 and has invested millions earned through the levy into various projects.

These have included improving town centre communications, safety and security through ‘town hosts'; holding ‘shop local’ marketing campaigns and appearing at events to promote the town’s businesses. In the last survey of Solihull shops in March, 90 per cent of business owners said they were satisfied with the BID's work and said they felt the events it holds positively impact the town centre.

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When the BID renewal was discussed at the latest cabinet meeting on Thursday, (June 20), Councillor Karen Grinsell, the deputy leader of the ruling Conservative group, said: “There is lots of nods of head on this side of the table.” Councillor Max McLoughlin, leader of the Green group on the council, said: “I absolutely support it - as you know I want to see it (a BID) in Shirley - I appreciate what it does for Solihull.”

Councillor Bob Sleigh, cabinet holder for resources, said: “Bids have demonstrated they can do a lot for areas such as ours.” Councillor Ade Adeyomo, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group, added: “They (BID), do a very good job in town - I definitely will be supporting.”

The deputy leader said the overwhelming support was clear, the cabinet agreeing to use its voting allocation in favour of Solihull BID. Around 400 businesses will vote on whether to support BID’s latest business plan and retain the scheme between 2025-2030.

The vote will take place between September and October.

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