BIDs are already acknowledged to not be in line with the evolution of high streets and town centres, and at central government level it’s already recognised that retail will be a smaller part of a wider range of uses and activities in town centres. This begs the question whether Taunton is “jumping on the funding bandwagon” for the sake of it by pushing through a BID, rather than thinking more about where high streets are heading and what those retailers on them really need to thrive.

Retail has changed profoundly the past couple of decades, and if high streets and town centres are to be successful they really need to adapt with large scale structural change. Retail will always have a key role in the health and prosperity of a town like Taunton, but clearly there are already plans to put the wider community at the heart of it, and consequently BIDs don’t meet these ambitions.

“High streets and town centres need urgently to adapt, transform and find new focus in order to survive.”
“We firmly believe that our high streets and town centres can have a better and more balanced future ahead of them if our recommendation are followed. This will require a shift from the retail focused activities of high streets and town centres today to new uses and purposes which foster greater social interaction, community spirit and local identity and characteristics. With a properly planned strategic intervention led by the local authority, with the backing of local stakeholders and the wider community, we can redefine our high streets and town centres and ensure their long-term sustainability for future generations to come.”
“attracted by the idea that BIDs should be replaced with community improvement districts.”
House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. 2019.

By definition a BID is a vehicle to try and improve business and not necessarily to look at the long term development of an area, which is what retailers of today will ultimately benefit from. This is what Taunton really needs and Somerset West & Taunton Council (SWTC) is doing some great work towards. It’s the continued efforts of SWTC towards transformative change in Taunton in line with it’s Garden Town status and the accepted future of town centres, that will lead to real success and prosperity for Taunton town centre. The promoting and management of towns really should be left to local authorities to lead on with a community wide approach, not a piecemeal private scheme brought in by a few self appointed individuals jumping on the BID bandwagon, thinking they know what’s best for everyone without looking at the bigger picture.

Although BID’s can be seen useful as a funding vehicle, ultimately they are not in line with the evolution of the high street, we need to accept that and move on. As with other BID’s, Taunton BID is taking a short term view with what amounts to window dressing and lots of risks thrown in. Let’s put our efforts into helping driving real change with SWT!

Even MP’s think BID’s should be replaced.