Business Improvement District (BID) is an arrangement whereby businesses get together and decide;
This all goes into a business plan which is voted on by all those who would have to pay. The BID lasts for a maximum of 5 years and must be able to demonstrate how it benefits the businesses that have founded it.
The Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) was implemented in Ballymena Town Centre following a resounding successful vote by Ballymena town centre businesses. It gives members one voice to:
“In this unprecedented year, supporting the Financial Wellbeing of our customers and communities, and their underlying local economies, is more important than ever to us at Bank of Ireland.
Despite these challenging times within the local wider economy, Ballymena remains a great retail destination. The local businesses have shown great solidarity and fully understand the value of working together to keep Ballymena business and communities thriving in this difficult times.
Ballymena BID still remains an important vehicle of support to a wide range of local businesses, from small independent retailers services to larger high street brands.”
“No one prepared us for the shock of lockdown and what it would mean to our business and staff”, says Kieran McAtamney.
“Thankfully the butchery remained open and we extended our service and customer base through home deliveries.
With our new restaurant, Graze, due to open in the Autumn, we are very encouraged with there turn of shoppers to the town. It’s important we support the BID re-ballot.”
Lesley from Follow Coffee says, “A big thank you to the Ballymena coffee drinkers for supporting us during this uncertain period. As a new management team taking over Follow Coffee,
lockdown stopped us dead in our tracks. Thankfully we took the downtime to carry out a refurb and we were able to operate street side coffee sales from outside the business.
” Further, Lesley adds, “Social distancing is now the new norm and our customers really appreciate the steps we have taken to offer a safe café experience. It’s great to see Ballymena getting back to business with the help of the BID.”
“What a strange period of trading the last 4 months has been! As an essential retailer the store remained open throughout lockdown, continuing to keep key workers operational in the supply of white goods and essential electrical items.” Samuel Moore continues, “Coming out of lockdown has posed some challenges for us but the shop is open and welcoming new and old customers back into Ballymena. More than ever now the town can benefit from BID initiatives.”
“Ballymena BID has worked extremely hard with Council to get Ballymena Town centre open again. Independent retailers play such an important role and they are at the heart of the communities. It has been an exceptionally difficult time for businesses and local retail but I’m really pleased that we are starting to move in the right direction, and we are beginning to see shops across Mid and East Antrim reopen their doors.
“Every business has been affected but their resilience has been inspiring and I am really pleased that there is still so much positivity among our business community.”
“I would like to praise the work that Ballymena BID has done throughout the last few months. It’s clear that the Business Improvement District has provided a stronger voice for businesses to support the changes that have come about as a result of the pandemic.“
Ballymena BID has played a key part, along with Council, in the reopening of the town centre and they will continue to boost growth
On Wednesday 31st of March, Ballymena received some great news. Stephen Reynolds Chair of Ballymena BID and Emma McCrea Bid Manager break the news and give thanks to the the local business community for voting YES and to our business partners for their continued support. Ballot results released by the independent scrutineer, Civica Election…
The deadline has passed, the votes have all been counted, and today, the fate of Northern Ireland’s first Business Improvement District’s (BID’s) second term has been decided… And…. It’s a resounding YES! Ballymena businesses and organisations have once again voted in favour of retaining the Ballymena BID for a further 5-year term. The support for…
BALLYMENA BID CALLS FOR A ‘YES’ VOTE FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES This week marks the start of the five-week ballot process which will determine the future of the Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) which has operated in the town for the past five years. Hailed unanimously as Northern Ireland’s first BID success story, the Ballymena BID…
Your Voting papers are on their way. Ballymena BID Ballot is now open and your voting papers will arrive via post to your business premises in and around the 17th/18th of February. Please collect your papers from your business as soon as possible, TICK THE YES BOX and post back. If for any reason you…
BALLYMENA BID LAUNCHES £1M FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO HELP RETAIN BALLYMENA AS THE NUMBER 1 RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY TOWN IN N. IRELAND. Ballymena BID2 Business Plan (click to download) Ballymena Business Improvement District (BID) has unveiled five-year plan, in excess of £1m, which will double as part of a post-COVID, economic recovery strategy for Ballymena town centre.…
The Ballymena BID business plan belongs to all of us. It’s based on the feedback we have received and we thank all of you that have taken part in that process. Whilst our plans to go to ballot were postponed due to Covid-19, we believe that the Pandemic has served to reinforce the value of…
2020 has, without doubt, been one of the most challenging years I have ever encountered in 35 years trading in my hometown of Ballymena….and it’s far from over yet. I’m sure that many of you are feeling the same. “Unprecedented” quickly became one of the cliché words of 2020….but there really is no better term…
During lockdown we all deserve a tasty treat! From a delicious cream bun and afternoon teas to a tasty pizza find the perfect takeaway for you and your family from Ballymena Town Centre. Chocoa: Enjoy a taste of Chocoa at home with their unique chocolatey gifts. Perfect for you or for someone you love…
Essential services remain open for you in the Ballymena Area, please visit their websites or telephone to make an appointment or receive a telephone consultation. Banks/Building Societies/Financial Services: Danske Bank Bank of Ireland Hallifax Santander AIB (First Trust) Nationwide Progressive Ballymena Credit Union Opticians: B H McKeague: Vist their website http://bhmckeague.co.uk or telephone to make an…
Support your favourite Ballymena Independent Retailers by shopping online. Don’t miss out on the winter sales and your favourite fashions. The following fabulous Ballymena Stores offer an online shopping experience. Check them out: Grassmen: https://www.grassmen.com/shop Grassmen fans will be delighted that they can still shop their favourite brand online… Keep an eye out for their weekly…
Ballymena Essential Shops remain open to service our local community, meaning you won’t have to travel too far for your food, home, health and wellbeing supplies. You will even be able to pick up a takeaway coffee for your short journey home. From bread to vitamins, toilet roll, bakery and butchers you will find everything…
Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Day at the Adair Arms Hotel. The Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena are excited to announce their Mission Christmas Day for Cash for Kids. A wonderful charity which ensures that all Children in Northern Ireland wake up to a gift under the tree on Christmas Day. Happening on Saturday 19th December…
This competition is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to all of our winners and Merry Christmas to all. We hope you will continue to shop safe and shop Ballymena. ____________________________________________ 20k of Christmas vou“cheers” up for grabs in Ballymena this festive shopping season As Christmas approaches, Ballymena BID are…