StratForward - YES vote

Local businesses in Stratford-upon-Avon have voted 'yes' for StratForward to continue working as the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town.  

Cllr Maurice Howse, Business, Tourism and ICT Portfolio for Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "This is good news for StratForward.  Local businesses have given their seal of approval with a 'yes' vote giving StratForward the confidence to build on their successes and drive further improvements for the town centre for the next five years.   

"The District Council will continue to work closely with StratForwad for the benefit of all our local businesses in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon."  

Now that the outcome of the ballot has been made a decision on The District Council's representative on the BID Board will be made in due course.  

A total of 172 votes were cast (excluding ballot papers rejected) - 121 in favour and 51 against.
4 votes were rejected  

A Business Improvement District (BID) is an arrangement under which businesses within a defined trading area collaborate to select, invest in and then deliver key projects to enhance trading conditions.

They are run by businesses for business, with aims that translate directly into money-saving and benefits for local businesses.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet, in June, resolved to vote in favour of the Business Improvement District proposal.

StratForward has managed the BID since 2009.

Some StratForward projects include: Town Hosts, Stratford River Festival, Stratford Festival of Motoring, Food Festival, street entertainment programme and a variety of marketing and promotional campaigns.

The ballot took place during September and closed at 2pm on Thursday 27 September.

The ballot was run by the Electoral Reform Services.