Partner Article

Banners up for Newcastle BID

New banners are set to be unveiled in Newcastle city centre to launch a campaign which could help secure Newcastle’s position as one of the top cities in the UK.

The banners, erected over the weekend, will run the length of Northumberland Street to mark the launch of a campaign to see Newcastle join cities like Edinburgh and Liverpool in becoming a Business Improvement District (BID).

Newcastle’s City Centre Partnership (CCP) is campaigning for the move, which would see eligible Newcastle businesses levying monies into a central pot for city improvements.

Contributing businesses would then be given a vote on how funds are spent, including everything from greener, cleaner and more secure streets to more attractions and events for Newcastle visitors.

Stephen Patterson, commercial manager at CCP, said: “This is an exciting time for the Newcastle, where local businesses will be given the opportunity to vote yes to help us make this great city even better.“Working together, businesses will have a stronger voice to take forward schemes to help Newcastle realise its full potential as one of the world’s best cities for business, shoppers, tourists and workers.”

Newcastle businesses, Newcastle United, Fenwick, John Lewis, Newcastle and newly opened Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership have already pledged support for the BID.

Barry Blamire, managing director at John Lewis, Newcastle, said: “We are keen to see Newcastle become a BID, which will not only help to bring the local business community together and give them a voice, but also help us to work as a collective to find the most cost-effective solutions to issues faced by the city. Coming together in this way can only be good for business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .