Town centre wardens to deter anti-social behaviour and a makeover for vacant properties are two of the measures unveiled for 2015 in the BID’s annual report and business plan published this week.
The BID board has confirmed an exciting program of events and festivals with the aim of bringing thousands of visitors to Blackburn. Countryside Comes to Town’ on Saturday 20 June will feature a 20 foot inflatable PIG by theatre company, Whalley Range All Stars, a creepy crawlies insect roadshow and BBC CBeebies, Mr Bloom. Blackburn Heritage Festival, organised and promoted by the BID, returns in September. Visitors can hop on hop off vintage buses.
Improvements to the safety and cleanliness of the town include introducing a team of BID branded wardens to maintain the town, improving the appearance of empty properties and providing additional security during major events.
The annual report lists key achievements for last year including staging Blackburn Heritage Festival, which increased footfall by 30,000 in one weekend, employing two new PCSOs to patrol the town centre and the installation of additional CCTV cameras.
Chairman of Blackburn BID, Mark Smith, said: “We have had to look very carefully at the best way we can use our limited resources effectively each year. We look forward to the successes and challenges of year two and witnessing the transformation and continued development of the town centre.”
£1.5 million will be invested into the town centre by Blackburn BID through levy payers subscriptions in order to make the town a safer and more attractive place to shop, own a business, spend leisure time and work.
Copies of the report are being delivered to 379 levy payers along with invitations to the Annual General Meeting and invitations to be part of the BID board.
View Blackburn BID’s Annual Report Here
Blackburn BID’s AGM takes place at 6pm, Wednesday February 25 at Kings Court Blackburn. Levy payers are eligible to nominate a BID Business for board positions. Nominations should be emailed to Mark Stevenson, BID Coordinator, by 11 February. Contact Mark via email: info@blackburnbid.co.uk
