Town’s Businesses Vote Yes To A Second Term Of Experience Guildford

Published on: 12 Nov, 2017
Updated on: 12 Nov, 2017

Guildford businesses have voted in favour of a second, five-year term of the Business Improvement District (BID), Experience Guildford.

The outcome of the Guildford BID ballot resulted in a total of 85% of businesses in favour and 90% in favour by rateable value. The turnout was 54%.

The Experience Guildford Team, pictured from left: town rangers Pete Lambert, Mark Lambert and David Elcombe. Project manager Liv Pattullo, general manager Amanda Masters, business support manager Sasha Atkins, town rangers Rosie Duhig and Emma White.

Over the last five years, Guildford businesses have collectively invested more than £2.5 million through the payment of an annual levy to deliver services and projects to enhance the trading environment, with the aim of creating a prosperous and exciting destination for shoppers, staff, residents and visitors to the town.

A press statement from Experience Guildford announcing the news noted that it was founded in 2013 following the town’s first BID ballot.

Adding: “During the initial five-year term, it has introduced a number of successful campaigns and projects that responded to the key objectives of the BID members business plan, centring on making Guildford a safer, cleaner, better promoted and thriving place to live, work and play. These included initiatives such as the introduction of town rangers, the purchase and installation of new Christmas lights, design and delivery of the Guildford Customers Service Awards and the promotion of free parking to coincide with key dates in the retail calendar.”

The second term of the BID will begin on February 1, 2018 with the roll-out of a new business plan as agreed and voted for by BID members.

Key activities and initiatives highlighted for the next five years include; a sustained and enhanced destination marketing and events campaign, improved business support and training, strengthening of Guildford’s position as one of the safest and most welcoming towns in the south-east and improving the town’s accessibility and footfall.

In the meantime, the Experience Guildford team is busy preparing the town for the festive season ahead, with the annual Guildford Christmas light switch-on event taking place Thursday, November, 16, the launch of the popular Little Book of Offers and the roll-out of free parking initiatives to coincide with late-night shopping dates during the run-up to Christmas.

Amanda Masters, general manager of Experience Guildford, said: “Experience Guildford would like to thank all of our BID members for their efforts and commitment to ensure that Guildford maintains its position as the premier shopping and leisure destination in the South East.”

For more information on Experience Guildford and to read the full business plan for the next five years, visit www.experienceguildford.com