Businessman sees BID plan lose momentum (From Streatham Guardian)

Streatham businessman sees business improvement distict plan lose momentum

8:00am Wednesday 15th August 2012 in News

The drive to create a business improvement district (BID) in the town centre is flagging because of funding delays, said the Streatham Business Board chairman.

No headway has been made over the past few months because Lambeth Council has stalled on providing funds to keep consulting businesses, said Lee Alley, chairman of the Streatham Business Board.

He said the council had not released money for consultant the Means to carry out the second phase of the consultation.

He said: “With the Bid we had the big kick-off but nothing has happened.”

He warned the ballot for businesses to vote on the Bid, due for November, may have to be put back.

But Councillor Jackie Meldrum, deputy leader of the council, said the Bid was on schedule.

Coun Meldrum said: “Financial support is coming from the co-operative council fund. The ballot campaign will begin in time for the vote in November."

The Bid aims to build a dynamic retail quarter and will be funded by a small levy on businesses.