"Good for business, good for Kingston"

Local MP celebrates "Yes" vote by local businesses for new improvement district and major investment in Kingston's town centre

16.11.04

The "Yes" vote from local businesses for a new town centre improvement project has been warmly welcomed by Kingston and Surbiton's Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Davey, today.

The Kingston First Business Improvement District (BID) will generate £4million over five years through a one per cent supplement on the rateable value of business properties, doubling the Royal Borough of Kingston's current spending on the town centre services. The cash will be spent on a cleaner environment, including chewing gum removal, on making the streets safer, with Community Rangers, on better transport and access, on marketing and promoting Kingston and on supporting small business in the town.

Local MP Edward Davey has been closely involved with the project, pushing for the legislation in Parliament, meeting Ministers and even canvassing for votes for the "Yes" vote in the last few tense days.

He commented:

"This is great news for Kingston. We will be the first town in the country to vote "Yes" to a business improvement district, and the first town to reap the benefits.

"You wouldn't normally expect a business to vote for higher tax, but local businesses have seen the commercial benefits of clubbing together.

"By working together in partnership, the local business community can help the council and local people achieve what we all want - a cleaner, safer, more prosperous town.

"I would personally like to thank everyone involved, from the Ministers to the businesses. It is however worth singling out one person and his team for special praise - namely, Graham McNally and all the staff at Kingston First. They've worked tirelessly on this project.

"However, we must not be complacent - now the hard work begins. To deliver this major new business-led investment. There are many other targets to strive for - from raising the cash to complete Kingston's theatre to getting extra police back-up across the Borough. Yet this is a great start - and a historic day for Kingston."