BRADFORD Council has awarded a grant of £20,000 towards the development of an Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID).

The money is on top of a £5,000 loan already provided by Ilkley Town Council. The grant money will be used to fund a consultation and to design a five-year plan.

The plan will be put together by an interim BID board which includes representatives from Marks & Spencer, Booths, Lishmans, Love Brownies, The Ticket Office & The Yard, Moin Moin Backerei, Dan’s Den, Ilkley Town Council, Ilkley Grammar School, Stowe Family Law, Accentia Corporate, Bradford Council and the Ilkley Business Forum.

The board is now urging all local companies to contact them and get involved in the process which it is hoped will spark new life into the town’s economy.

Stuart Hyde QPM, chairman of the BID interim board, said: “Ilkley is a great place to live and work. Through the BID we can improve the representation and opportunities for local businesses of all shapes and sizes. “Keeping Ilkley alive and kicking as a place of choice for all businesses is a challenge the BID will meet. We are grateful for the help and support of our Town Council and Bradford Council who both see the positive impact a BID could bring to Ilkley.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are delighted to support Ilkley BID with their development costs. Our Economic Strategy highlights the importance of good growth across our district, including in Ilkley, and with our District Growth Scheme in place and now our support for the development of Ilkley BID we’re really delivering on our strategy. With Keighley BID already up and running and a Bradford BID also in development our district could have three BIDs, which would show how strong and proactive our business community is.”

The plan will be put to the business community in spring 2019 and eligible businesses will have the opportunity to vote on it. If the vote is successful, Ilkley will join more than 300 other towns across the UK who have a a BID. Locally, Otley, Skipton, Keighley and Leeds already have active BID’s and Bradford City Centre businesses will be voting on their proposal in October.

BIDs are funded by businesses paying a levy which is based on their rateable value. The BID board will decide how the money is spent, although the collection of the levy will be managed by Bradford Council. The BID board will be local leaders who know the challenges and opportunities of being in business in the town. It is anticipated the BID would be able to invest about £500,000 back into the town to promote and support local business. Information events which will offer businesses opportunities for feedback on the BID plan are scheduled for September and all businesses are encouraged to attend.

For more information visit: www.ilkleybid.co.uk or contact Helen Rhodes, the BID Development Co-ordinator, by email: info@ilkleybusinessforum.co.uk with any queries or to register your interest.