ONE of the key tasks for any Business Improvement District is to help its members find more efficient and economical ways to do business.

Newport Now, the name for the BID in Newport, represents more than 540 businesses in the city centre. The BID is elected and financed by businesses via a small levy on their business rates.

The BID’s role is to deliver a five-year business plan agreed by its members before seeking a renewal ballot for another five-year term from 2020. And part of that business plan is to save our members money.

One way the BID is doing that is via a partnership with a company called Meercat Associates.

Meercat operates the National BID Buying Group, working with more than 90 BIDs across the UK, identifying ways in which BID members can save money on energy, telecoms and merchant fees. To date it has saved BID businesses more than £6m.

In Newport, businesses have so far saved more than £30,000 with the majority realising savings over and above their BID levy contributions.

It is a funded service that Newport Now invests in for members to benefit from.

And it couldn’t be easier for BID members to start saving.

Meercat will arrange a brief meeting with a consultant who will review and advise of any efficiencies that can be made. Any bills you provide will be held in strict confidence and reviewed against a pool of vetted suppliers.

You are under no obligation to take up any services and the review is free for BID members.

To book a review, fully funded by Newport Now, BID members should call Meercat’s BID Savings Team on 01444 416529 or email savings@meercatassociates.com.