Local MP puts Kingston First, as town centre business gets set for big boost

17.09.04

A chance of a major boost for a cleaner, safer Kingston town centre came one step nearer this week, as legislation passed through the Commons with the strong support of local Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey.

The new law allows businesses the chance to vote on schemes to improve their immediate environment, so they can pool their own resources to work for the wider commercial and community benefit. Speaking in a special committee to consider the regulations for a new "Business Improvement District" scheme in the House of Commons on Monday, MP Edward Davey said he was "delighted" that Kingston looks set to be the first town centre in England to benefit.

In Kingston, the next step will be to distribute voting papers to all business rate payers within the designated central area and give them a month to vote on whether they want a BID for Kingston Town Centre. Voting is currently expected in the second half of October to the first half of November. A "yes" vote would mean Kingston town centre becoming the first formal "Business Improvement District" in the country.

Commenting, Edward Davey said:

"I am delighted the legislation has passed and proud that Kingston is set to lead the way.

"With Kingston as Britain's first Business Improvement District, local businesses can together help create the cleaner, safer and better promoted town centre they need to remain prosperous.

"Kingston First is the name of the new plan, and I believe it can ensure Kingston remains first.

"Kingston Council have already helped make a great difference with the "cleansweep" programme, the Gold Zones and by working well with local businesses. This new partnership will build on that work, so Kingston retailers and businesses can rise to the competition from other Boroughs.

"Already the leading businesses in Kingston are campaigning for a "yes" vote, as they are clear that it is in their commercial interests to do so. They are not doing so for philanthropic reasons: they are doing it because they believe that they can get more customers to come to their shops-if they work with other businesses to improve our town centre.

"I will be backing the "yes" campaign, as I backed this new legislation. This is a great idea, that's been proven to work in America and elsewhere, and it's time now to make it work here."

Links:

Kingston First

BIDs (pdf file)

Edward Davey's contribution to committee