IT'S A YES!
We are pleased to announce the successful result of the recent ballot to extend the Business Improvement District (BID) across the borough boundary into Southwark – the first town centre BID in the UK to succeed in becoming cross-borough.
 
Businesses in the new Southwark extension area had 28 days to vote their support or opposition to the proposed establishment of the BID. The results, announced on Friday 22nd February, demonstrated that the majority of businesses were in favour of WQBA's proposal and as such will be formally part of the Waterloo Quarter BID from 1st April 2008.
 
The results were as follows:
 

Percentage of those eligible to vote in favour of the proposals (by number)

84%

 
 

Percentage of those eligible to vote in favour of the proposals (by rateable value)

93%

 
 

Turnout of those eligible to vote

32%

 
 
 
Click here to view the ballot results in full announced by Southwark Council.
 
WQBA was launched in the Lambeth area of Waterloo on 1st April 2006 following a ballot of local businesses. Since then, the BID has delivered a number of projects and services to improve the area as a place to do business. Physical improvements include the introduction of flower baskets, year-round decorative lights and graffiti removal; business development activity has involved boosting trade through marketing projects to attract more people to the area and encouraging business-to-business trade and networking. The decision to expand the BID boundary across in to the borough of Southwark was seen as a means to deliver co-ordinated activity across the more natural commercial area of Waterloo and will ensure cohesive service provision and a unified approach to development and regeneration throughout the BID area.

The Southwark BID extension will generate £250,000 of income, 100% of which is ring-fenced for spending within the BID area. This will match the £270,000 already received from businesses in the Lambeth part of the Waterloo Quarter area, providing a significant investment and therefore greater opportunity to embark on larger projects of even greater benefit for Waterloo. One such project is to provide all the business in the area with a free recycling service, initially for paper and card, but with a view to expanding the offer to other waste types such as glass and plastic in the next financial year.

Other projects and services that will be launched in the newly extended Business Improvement District (BID) include:

  • Promotion of all businesses via the waterlooquarter.org website and the printing of the Waterloo Quarter walking map, distributed throughout the area
  • Extension of Waterloo Carnival and the Waterloo Christmas event to increase involvement with the local business community
  • Offering a one-stop-shop phone service to report and chase up environmental concerns with the Council
  • Promoting special offers and discounts for Waterloo Quarter businesses to the many office workers in the area
  • Work with the Councils and other partner organisations to remove street clutter and improve cleansing of the area
  • Periodic hot-washing of pavements to remove the build-up of grime
  • Monthly newsletters updating businesses on news and issues affecting them and highlighting local business achievements
  • Act as a voice for businesses and lobbying the Councils on issues affecting them such as parking enforcement, delivery arrangements
  • Promoting opportunities for employee volunteering, linking businesses with various local charities
Click here to download a copy of the Southwark BID extension proposal. Alternatively, please get in touch with us at info@waterlooquarter.org or call 020 7620 1201.
 
The following map shows the existing BID area in Lambeth (red) with the new Southwark extension area (blue)
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