Reading’s Business Improvement Districts (BID) will run for a further five years thanks to resounding support from businesses.

Those within both the Reading Central and Abbey Quarter BIDs voted heavily in favour of a new term starting April 1.

Reading Central BID had yes votes from 88 per cent of businesses by number and 93 per cent of businesses by rateable value while Abbey Quarter attracted 95 per cent approval of businesses by number and 97 per cent  by rateable value.

Adam Jacobs, chair of REDA, which manages Reading’s two BIDs, said: “Businesses in Reading town centre have recognised the immense value that both BIDs bring to our business community.

“These resounding votes in favour of creating two new BIDs for 2024-29 reflect the invaluable contribution of our BIDs to the economic and social wellbeing of our town centre.

“Our businesses have again voted for continued prosperity, innovation and an investment of £7.5 million in our town centre, their businesses and employees over the next five years.”

Cllr Tony Page, Mayor of Reading, said: “This vote is excellent news for Reading town centre, its businesses and everyone who uses the town centre. My thanks to the staff of REDA who have steadfastly looked after the town centre for the last five years.

“I know the council will play its full part in the 2024-29 BIDs, providing complementary services and working in partnership with business as our town centre continues to prosper and reinvent itself.”

Image (from the BID vote launch in January) (l-r): Andy Briggs, Oracle general manager, Adam Jacobs from Jacobs Jewellers, Insp Andy Tribe from Thames Valley Police, Alexa Volker, BIDs manager, and Andrew Whiteaker, partner at Boyes Turner.

© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).

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