Liverpool firms back £4m city centre investment plan

Companies in Liverpool have voiced their support for a £4m masterplan to revamp the city’s commercial district.

The Liverpool BID Company secured an 85% ‘yes’ vote in its bid to renew the city’s Commercial District BID for the next five years.

Following the win, the Liverpool BID Company will apply a new 32-page business plan to transform the district into a “beacon of business excellence”.

The multi-million pound programme identifies 24 actions across the themes of connectivity, management, promotion and working, through which the BID will create an environment that supports business growth.

Jim Gill, the chairman of the Commercial District BID, which represents over 550 businesses in the centre of Liverpool, said: “This yes result is a hugely welcome vote of confidence in what we have achieved to date and our ambitious plans for the next five years.

“The hard work now begins to turn ambition into a reality.”

She continued: “We have great partnerships in both the public and private sector and with their continued support much can be achieved to the benefit of businesses already here and those looking for a dynamic location to operate in.”

The Commercial District BID was founded to improve an area stretching from Lord Street to Old Hall Street and from Water Street to Pall Mall, in which over 60k people are employed across sectors such as legal, financial, creative, digital, leisure and hospitality.

The Liverpool BID Company’s chief executive, Bill Addy, commented: “We are humbled by this result and thank all those who have supported the BID – in this ballot and all that we’ve achieved in recent years but there is much still to do.

“We have listened to our business community and as a result have a plan that we believe will continue to improve the city centre and strengthen its appeal as one of the best business districts in the country.”

He added: “We are very much focused now on delivering this plan and making the city centre work for our businesses.”

Commenting on the news, Mayor Joe Anderson said Liverpool is “fortunate” to have one of the UK’s “best BIDs”.

He continued: “I am delighted the business community has recognised that fact by rewarding the Commercial District BID with such an outstanding result.

“I look forward to working with the BID Company in our shared aim to enhance the city centre’s reputation as one of the best to invest and work in.”