Let’s kick the BID this year!
Vote NO to Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BSE BID), it’s an unnecessary tax on the businesses of our lovely town. It's taken over £1.2 million from the pockets of the towns businesses and had nearly 15 years to prove itself as the great investment they promised us, but has failed demonstrate this so not worth throwing good money after bad.
If you would like to contact the local campaign team email us.
THIS IS WHY BUSINESES ARE VOTING NO BID
There are just so many reasons businesses are voting NO to the Bury St Edmunds BID, here are a few:
If BID is to benefit Bury St Edmunds as a whole, why aren't all the town’s businesses paying? It's not fair, why should the tax burden fall on some of the town’s businesses and not others?
Businesses feel they get no financial benefit or return from it, so it's nothing more than another tax.
BID say they are acting on our behalf, but they don't even want feedback or listen to us levy payers, they didn’t even consult us about the new 5 year business plan.
BID has brought division and angst to our lovely town, none of which we need.
BID money is being used to pay for things the Councils should (and used to) pay for.
There is a lack of financial transparency and staff costs are too high, that’s why they’ve not itemised staff costs in the new business plan.
Because we have a BID we get less from the Councils, why?
BID are happy for levy payers to be taken to court and have bailiffs sent around to homes for not paying for a service they don't want.
Undemocratic practises and a poor re-ballot consultation, and the telling of mistruths in an attempt to sway voters.
The Councils hold about 10% of the total Rateable Value (RV) vote, how fair is that and why should car parks get to vote against businesses?
BID have had 14 years to prove BID works for Bury St Edmunds, but it's failed, so why waste more money?
Bury St Edmunds is perfectly capable of taking back control and putting on events in the town as other town councils do. The town is a major tourist destination so why allow the BID to piggyback on this, claiming it is them who attracts visitors.
After nearly 15 years and with over £1.2 million taken from the pockets of the town’s businesses, can you really look back and say it's been a great investment because my business is seeing tangible benefits and I'm more profitable because of BID? It's an extra tax we just don't need.
As BID tax payers we deserve better, whilst the Councils are neglecting their responsibilities and laughing all the way to the bank. We don’t need any more of this extortion when there are alternatives.
Vote NO to end the BID stealth tax.
Vote NO to Bury St Edmunds BID.
Why is is necessary to have more than one BID company entity?
Why is an events company needed for the BID to run it’s own activities?
Why is the BID Manager a Director of these companies to do his role when he doesn’t need to be?
Why are the Board of Directors giving the BID Manager so much freedom to do as he pleases with the finances?
Click on image to read the blog article.
Click on image to read the blog article.
This is the campaign webpage for those Bury St Edmunds businesses against the new BID proposal.
We are grateful to those behind the Against BID website, for their expert guidance and also hosting this page.
We will be continually updating this page, so please check back regularly!