Voluntary rate rises bid to aid Shrewsbury businesses

Traders in Shrewsbury have met to discuss plans which could see them pay more in rates to generate extra cash to improve the town.

Shopkeepers and business bosses met at Ashley's Wine Bar in the town centre last night to discuss the Business Improvement District (Bid scheme.

Businesses would decide how the extra money would be spent and it could fund advertising campaigns, promotions or events in the town centre.

The Bid plans are being spearheaded by trader group Shop in the Loop alongside Kevin Lockwood, the new manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres.

During the meeting John Hall, from Shop in the Loop, said the cash to get the scheme started would come from a section 106 agreement with a large supermarket.

Clive Wright, from Shropshire Council, added: "We have around £50,000 to get the work done but there is still an enormous amount of work to do."

Councillor Peter Nutting, for Copthorne, said he believed the money had come from Sainsbury's.

Shropshire Council recently approved plans by the supermarket giant to expand its store on Meole Brace Retail Park.

Mr Hall said a potential one per cent increase in business rates was being looked at under the Bid plans.

He said: "It would be 1p in the £1 which would generate around £200,000.

"All those businesses with a rateable value of below £5,000 would be exempt from the levy."

Traders will be asked to vote on the idea, with those businesses which stood to pay the most under the scheme, receiving a greater share of the vote.

Mr Hall said: "The vote is weighted according to the rateable value of the property.

"For example Marks & Spencer would have to pay an awful lot, but would have a larger share of the vote."

A previous vote to create a Shrewsbury Bid was narrowly lost in 2007 but during the meeting chairman of Shop in the Loop, Phil Freeman, said if traders backed the fresh plans he would like to see the new Bid scheme in place by April 2013.

"We have a great opportunity to make this successful for Shrewsbury.

"Watch this space," he said.