NEWPORT's Business Improvement District, known as Newport Now, has been up and running for a year after city centre businesses approved its creation.

Newport Now manager James Thomas, based in its office in Skinner Street, discusses with Business Argus the formation of the BID, its first year, what has been achieved and what is in the programme for the future.

Who are you?

James Thomas, Newport Now BID manager. The Newport Now chairman is Newport business owner Alan Edwards.

What is the Newport BID and what is Newport Now?

They are the same organisation. A Business Improvement District (BID) is the term applied to a particular form of organisation which is business-led and business-funded. Newport Now is the company name. The BID provides businesses with the opportunity to take control of their commercial environment and to drive positive change in the area. Newport Now is the third BID to be formed in Wales.

Why was the BID needed?

Businesses considered that, despite Newport being full of potential, with good connections, a proud heritage and strong business community we have seen our city centre fall behind competing areas. This has resulted in the departure of long-established businesses. While some of these issues are beginning to be addressed, through new developments and growing investment, businesses have reported that our city centre suffers from an image problem and often feels unsafe for visitors and employees. The BID was formed to help address these issues and deliver real change. We want to create a better city centre that is safer, more attractive and well promoted. Achieving this will help bring more visitors, attract new businesses and create a better environment for those that work and live in our city.

How many businesses in Newport are members of Newport NOW?

There are 649 hereditaments, which are business units, of which 541 are businesses.

What geographic area does it cover?

The city centre core including the railway station frontage, the river front, East Street and Stow Hill to Kingsway / Commercial Street.

How is money generated to fund Newport NOW?

The BID is funded by businesses through a small levy. The levy amount is calculated by using the rateable value of a business unit, known as a hereditament, and is initially set at 1.25 per cent in Newport City Centre. All businesses within the BID boundary and with a rateable value of more than £5,000 contribute to the levy.

How is it managed?

A board of directors made up of representatives from all sectors and sizes of BID levy payers supported by an executive for three days per week.

Over what period is Newport NOW planned to run and what happens at the end of that time?

The first BID term will last for five years - until March 31, 2020. If businesses want the BID to continue beyond the first five years they will have an opportunity to decide through a further ballot process.

How was it decided that there should be Newport Now?

During the last couple of years businesses were engaged in discussion regarding the core issues which are affecting the city centre. In response, a group of businesses developed an ambitious programme of improvements to deliver a more prosperous trading environment. These businesses felt that a BID would be the best means of delivering the vision and creating a united business voice.

Who decides what specific initiatives or areas get expenditure or support?

The BID board in conjunction with theme groups. These will be in line with the pledges and objectives contained within the BID proposal that businesses voted for at the BID ballot.

How will the area covered by the BID be judged to have benefited at the end of the programme?

The extent to which we have delivered on our commitments and the impact they have had. Businesses will have the ultimate say in a further ballot process in 2020.

How much money was generated in its first year and how much has been spent?

Revenue from BID levy due to be received in 2015-16 was £214,067.99. Of this around £96,375 has been expended up to the end of the financial year.

What happens to unspent money left over from the first year?

It is carried forward and utilised in future years of the BID term. Think of it as a five year programme.

What proportion of Newport NOW targets are short and how much are longer term?

It’s 50:50. We want to ensure that there are clear early benefits for the area – such as the ambassadors scheme, our digital platform, events and collaborative purchasing – but we want to build upon the programme over the five years and have a lasting impact on the city centre.

What has the money been spent on in the first year and what do you consider to be the tangible benefits/ results of this expenditure?

Future Newport, delivering ‘digital high street’ projects; Safe and Secure Newport, a visible and reassuring presence on the street with our ambassadors and working closely with the local police force; and Welcome to Newport, delivering a programme of city centre events and core costs.

How would you describe the first year of the programme in terms of success or otherwise?

Time has been spent forming the company and putting in place the groundwork and initial projects. 2016-17 will see a significant change in terms of visibility of the BID, its services and promotion of the city centre.

What projects are in the pipeline?

Our 2016-17 programme will see an expansion of services within our three themes to include:

• Adoption of a city centre action plan

• Place marketing and mentoring

• Expanding work undertaken on the Newport Explorer digital platform

• Collaborative purchasing

• Taxi marshalling

• Events programme

• Clean up ‘Grot spot’

• Parking / transport strategy

• Scoping locations and designs for gateway enhancements