Thursday 24th January sees the start of the 28 day ballot period for businesses in the proposed Southwark extension area of the BID. Around 120 businesses will be receiving their ballot papers through the post and given the opportunity to enjoy the same projects and services to those currently in the Lambeth area of the BID. The BID boundary was originally developed in 2006 to take in both the Lambeth and Southwark areas of Waterloo. However, prior to the Lambeth ballot period, it was discovered that the BID Regulations did not allow for cross-borough schemes and WQBA was forced to proceed with the Lambeth area first with a view to extend into the neighbouring borough in the future.

 

With systems and procedures set up and many projects and services in a position to be rolled out to a new area, the BID is now in a position to go to the ballot with the businesses in Southwark with the aim of creating a Business Improvement District that reflects the natural commercial area of Waterloo and allows for coherent service provision regardless of the borough in which businesses are based. Initial feedback from Southwark businesses has been very positive, with strong support in principle for the BID from businesses across all sectors.

The timeline for the Ballot period is as follows: