Orpington Town Centre and The Walnuts fall within a business improvement district.
A business improvement district is a defined area within which businesses are required to pay an additional levy in order to fund projects within the district’s boundaries. The BID is often funded primarily through the levy but can also draw on other public and private funding streams.
In Orpington businesses pay a 1.5% levy in addition to their business rates which is collected by Bromley Council. The Council also organises the ballot when a BID is due for renewal. Most UK BIDs are established for 5-year terms. On completion of the 5-year term a new ballot is held to see if the eligible businesses within the BID area would like to continue with the BID.
Orpington 1st operate the BID in Orpington and were recently re elected for a second 5 year term. Since no other organisation put themselves forward Orpington 1st were re-elected unopposed. Orpington 1st represent approximately 338 businesses and 36% of those businesses voted in favour of the BID continuing.
Orpington 1st currently has one paid Director and a number of unpaid Directors who either own or work for businesses falling within the Business Improvement District.
Orpington 1st have a number of functions that include promoting the interests of the business community, working in partnership with the Local Authority and holding events such as the turning on of the Christmas lights, Santa Dash, food festival and children’s business fair amongst others.
Orpington 1st responsibility is however not only to the business community and its “mission statement” is to make Orpington an attractive place for businesses, residents and visitors.
Orpington 1st were identified as key stakeholders by Areli and were involved in very early consultations before public consultation commenced. Orpington 1st largely supported the proposal believing that extra residents living in close proximity to the High Street would benefit businesses. Areli claimed that the extra residents would spend 12 million per annum in the High St.
Orpington 1st produce a magazine which is printed quarterly and delivered to approximately 14,000 residents with a further 2000 copies available in and around the town centre and the Walnuts. The magazine advertises local businesses, any events held by Orpington 1st, messages from the MP, the police, health and the Council as well as local interest stories.
Over the past 2 years Orpington 1st magazine has regularly featured Areli publicity material and has claimed the proposals were welcomed by both businesses and the community at large. However when the actual planning application was submitted approximately 3600 objections were lodged representing 98% of all comments made and only 2% of comments submitted were in favour of the development.
We as a campaign group are not against progress and redevelopment of the Walnuts Shopping Centre but it must be appropriate for Orpington. We hope that Orpington 1st magazine in future support a balanced and honest consultation on any new development proposal.
NttW have written to Orpington 1st as well as Orpington Ward Councillors requesting that in future the Orpington 1st publication ensures that material published on behalf of Areli is factually correct and that there is opportunity for counter arguments, if necessary, to be made and published.
We will need to wait to see if this request is actioned.