Businesses in the island town are being urged to vote on whether they pay a levy on top of their rates, which would be managed by them and used to pay for improvements in Enniskillen. 

A task team made up of local businesses and organisations has put together a comprehensive and detailed 28-page business plan to let businesses know what this money could be put towards – town improvements, marketing and much more – and what being a BID can do for them. 

This comes after over 350 businesses in Enniskillen were surveyed to determine whether there was an appetite for a BID. The results have shown the majority in favour of supporting strong coalition and collective working between businesses while also agreeing that collective marketing and promotion of Enniskillen is vital.

Consultations have also been ongoing for the past six months on what businesses would like to see happening with the town. Issues raised have included increasing footfall and spending within Enniskillen, the modernisation of public areas and enhancing the experience for visitors by developing tours and packages and establishing a year round promotional campaign. 

Noelle McAloon of Enniskillen BID explained that voting allows local businesses to have the opportunity to decide on their own future direction.

“It’s all about businesses taking control, being more reactive and working together to make Enniskillen as good as it can be through innovative marketing. There is huge scope in the town, obviously in terms of tourism, and an appetite among the businesses that we can do more.”

Businesses began rating and voting on the plan on September 1st. 

“If there is a Yes vote  in the BID area then it could mean they contribute a 1.5% levy on top of their rates for the implementation of the plan. This means that for a period of five years, a business with a rateable value of £5,000 would pay the equivalent of 21 pence per day towards the levy. All the money, up to £200,000,  will then be pooled to improve businesses in the town – such as increasing footfall, making a better place for staff and workers, better marketing, business support and security.

Noelle added that two other towns in the North, Ballymena and Newry, are already reaping the benefits since voting Yes for BID last year. 

“One of Ballymena BIDs first projects was a £5,000 four minute Christmas advert campaign which rivalled big budget projections and was viewed over 80,0000 time in over 49 countries. Meanwhile Newry BID took over the management of events planned for the NI Year of Food & Drink 2016, working with the local Council and Tourism NI to successfully manage a number of high profile events in the town.” 

The BID result will be declared on October 14, 2016.