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Edition 16 FREE
November 2013
Traders to vote on Brixton ‘BID’ levy
BY TIM DICKENS
Brixton businesses are to decide whether or not they want to create a Business Improvement District (BID) this month. All traders are being balloted on the idea, which would create a budget of about £435,000 to be spent on boosting local business, and they have until November 12 to respond. If the vote is successful, each business over a certain size will pay a 1.5% levy on top of their business rates, which will go straight into the fund. Chairman of the Brixton BID, Elly Foster (right), said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us as business people to
make a real difference in Brixton, increase our footfall and profile. “A ‘yes’ vote for the Brixton BID will mean that hundreds of thousands of pounds can be spent supporting our business people through training, improvements to our environment, safety, marketing and lowering business costs to name but a few.” Under government legislation, if more than 50% of respondents vote yes to the BID, it will go ahead. It will be run by a board of 18 local business owners. But not all businesses support the idea. Patrick Kelly, who has owned Bookmonger’s, on Coldharbour Lane, for over 20 years, said he would vote against the scheme. He told The Bugle he
felt that improvements already made to Brixton in recent years made investment in things like marketing “obsolete”. He added: “If they had done this five years ago it would have made sense.” Mr Kelly also had an issue with a voting system that also gives voting rights to traders with who won’t be liable to pay the levy, but will reap any benefits. Consultations carried out earlier this year by the BID development group identified that traders wanted better communication and an improved environment from a business partnership. Three BIDs already exist in Lambeth in Vauxhall, Waterloo and Streatham. The deputy leader of Lambeth council, Jackie Meldrum, said the
Right royal riding club
INSIDE...
Turin Brakes
We catch up with them ahead of their UK tour, and discover the influence Brixton has had on their lives and music. Culture, p11
BID would give businesses a stronger voice. She added: “Brixton is a very special place, dynamic and diverse , and there is always something new going on. “It’s a great place to do business with its busy town centre and superb public transport connections.” If Brixton votes yes to the BID, the full organisation will formally launch on January 1 2014. Over the next five years it will raise an estimated £2.3million in investment from the levy and outside grants. Visit www.brixtonbid.co.uk
The Queen came to Brixton on Tuesday (October 29) to visit a rather special inner-city riding club. The monarch, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, dropped in on Ebony Horse Club, Millbrook Road to meet riders and horses of the organisation. She met the riding club’s founder, Ros Spearing, before being given a tour of the stables. Pic: PA
What’s On?
The lowdown on what’s hot, and what’s not, in Brixton thoroughout November. Listings, p12-13
What’s cooking?
Make your very own Brixton Bugle guava Jammy Dodgers thanks to a recipe from the tireless Miss South. Plus exciting news about her new book, Recipes from Brixton Village
Tweet us @brixtonblog Facebook ‘Brixton Blog’
Food, p17