Overview of BIDs
Why did Kingston need a Business Improvement District (BID)?
Although Kingston is a vibrant town, visitor numbers were falling and research showed that services did not meet the expectations of visitors, residents, staff and the business community. The 1% BID levy has allowed us to more than double expenditure on cleaning, greening, safety and marketing the town centre. Already, many businesses have commented favourably on what has been achieved.
Where does the BID cover?
The Kingston town centre Business Improvement District boundary incorporates Seven Kings Car Park, Kingston Railway Station and Bus Station, The Rotunda, Old London Road, Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Wheatfield Way, Penrhyn Road down to and including Kingston University, along The Bittoms and South Lane to the River Thames and along the river to (and including) Kingston Bridge - the economic heart of the Borough.
What does the BID aim to do?
The goal is to make Kingston a cleaner, safer and ever improving town centre. Graham McNally, Kingston Town Centre Manager who spearheaded Kingstonfirst, is focused on increasing daytime visitor numbers by 1 million. Half of this increase was successfully delivered in the last quarter of 2005, when the Christmas marketing campaign with co-ordinated press, radio, train and bus advertising saw footfall rise by nearly 5% and passenger numbers for the Park and Ride service increase by 10%.
BID funding
The BID will generate £5 million over 5 years with additional funding from property owners and other stakeholders. Kingstonfirst has proved to be a catalyst for change, attracting match funding from a variety of partners including Transport for London, GOL (the Government Office for London) and the London Development Agency.
Crime reduction
Crime reduction is high on the list of priorities and much headway has already been made. For example, one of the 25 projects already delivered by the BID partnership - the recent trial of night-time minicab pick-up points and marshalled black cab ranks - resulted in the virtual elimination of disorder in their vicinity and a 26% reduction in town centre violence since the new Licensing Act started. A stretch target based on reducing violence still further has been included in the Local Area Agreement and should generate an additional 375,000 from the Government Office for London.
Regeneration
Longer term, Kingstonfirst is working with Hammerson (a property developer) and the Council to regenerate part of Kingston, with a mixed-use development including retail and town centre homes.
The Board
The 25 strong board represents a diverse range of partners and all 700 town centre businesses. A regular monthly town centre stakeholder meeting is used as an open forum and project sounding board.
Awards
Awards already achieved by Kingstonfirst include Safer Business status, 9 Park Mark awards and Silver Awards from Visit London and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Attracting customers
With over 20 events a year, rapid response graffiti and gum removal, new street furniture, planting and hanging baskets, Kingston is determined to deliver an enjoyable experience for customers.