BID RE-ELECTED Substantial poll majority

Northallerton Business Improvement District (BID) has been re-elected after a substantial majority of businesses backed its proposal for a second five-year term.

The month-long ballot saw 67 per cent of businesses vote in favour of the BID, representing 73 per cent of the aggregate rateable value of voting hereditaments.

The turn-out of 95 voters was 45 per cent of 211 eligible hereditaments.

BID Chair Lindsay Judd said: “We’re very grateful to businesses for this strong vote of confidence in the BID and everything we have strived to achieve since taking office in 2017.

“This mandate will strengthen our plans to develop services and enhance the economic prosperity of our county town. We’re excited about this very positive endorsement.”

Ballot success ensures the BID will make a seamless transition into its second term of office from 1 April 2022. Major plans include encouraging regular coach visits to the town, boosting the night-time economy, developing a Northallerton TV platform, appointing new town ambassadors, improving staff recruitment, working with partners to install new town toilets, filling empty shops, increasing floral displays and campaigning for a fairer parking regime.