It’s a YES for Camberley as Collectively Camberley BID is voted in for its Third Term!
After an independent month-long postal ballot, eligible businesses operating across Camberley Town Centre have voted YES to continue the Collectively Camberley Business Improvement District (BID). It will now operate until 2026, spending over £1m in that time to market and manage the Town Centre.
The ballot result was announced by Damian Roberts (Chief Executive of Surrey Heath Borough Council) who is the Returning Officer, at 4pm on Friday 25th June.
93% voted in favour by number and 96% voted in favour by rateable value. A majority was required on both counts in order for the BID to continue and this was achieved.
Cllr Alan McClafferty, Leader, Surrey Heath Borough Council said “Collectively Camberley is a market-leading organisation, and it is great to see this result.
The team at Collectively Camberley work hard to ensure Camberley is a more vibrant and exciting place for people to visit. They organise a strong events programme, make the town more attractive with Christmas lights and summer flowers and are supporting Camberley’s retail and hospitality businesses as they reopen as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
We look forward to continuing working with Collectively Camberley’s staff, the Board and Camberley’s businesses to ensure Camberley remains a key destination for Surrey Heath and the surrounding area.”
During its second term (2016-2021), Collectively Camberley BID have run a range of campaigns, training and initiatives, as well as large scale Town Centre events that have helped increase footfall, dwell time and have added to the overall place-making of Camberley. They have a strong social media presence on all platforms, (@LoveCamberley) and manage the Town Centre website. More recently, the team turned their attention to supporting businesses and customers during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering support, posters, hand sanitiser, floor stickers, bollard covers and clear face coverings to support Camberley’s deaf community.
Speaking on behalf of Collectively Camberley BID Company, Steve Coburn, Chairman, said “At a time where businesses have been really challenged, to get over 93% voting ‘yes’ is a ringing endorsement of the events and initiatives that Collectively Camberley run.
It gives us renewed confidence that we are really making a difference in our Town Centre, for both the businesses and the residents of Surrey Heath. There’s some exciting things in the pipeline for the next 5 years, and we’re keen continue the good work and help our community prosper.”
Collectively Camberley will focus on delivering a refreshed 5-year Business Plan (2021-2026), which has been the result of extensive consultation with businesses since February. Highlights of the plan include an increased focus on keeping the town vibrant, with marketing and seasonal campaigns; keeping the town safe and welcoming, using the town link radio scheme and continuing on making the town more inclusive; as well as keeping the town together, with business networking and Covid-19 recovery support.
“I am really excited about the future.” said Jodie MacAndrew, BID Manager. “Our work over this past 5-year term and our new (2021-2026) Business Plan has been very well received by the businesses we work for and with. To receive one of the highest ballot results at the time, across the Country, was so overwhelming, yet absolutely deserved. We have worked exceptionally hard over this past 5-year term and will continue to be the voice of our business community, shaping the Town Centre over the coming years, with this same work ethic and passion.
We will continue to work closely with our Town Centre Partners to ensure that our aim of making Camberley a destination of choice for visitors, businesses and residents is a collaborate one.
We would like to thank the businesses of Camberley Town Centre for giving us the opportunity to continue delivering a new and exciting phase and for putting their trust in our BID for the third time.”
For further information please contact info@collectivelycamberley.co.uk
*Full details of the Ballot result are detailed on the BID Renewal Ballot – Collectively Camberley website.