BUSINESSES in Salisbury who voted against the city’s Business Improvement District (BID) are challenging the payments of hundreds of pounds they have to make in contributions to the project.

The Salisbury BID, which was launched in April, aims to raise £2million over five years and has been set up to boost the vitality of the city. The BID is funded through a 1.5 per cent levy on each business within the ring road with a rateable value of £10,000, causing controversy among those who oppose the scheme.

The mandatory payment is collected by Wiltshire Council in a similar way to the business rates.

Andy Grigg, who runs Cranes Wine Cafe on Crane Street, said: “We don’t feel we are getting value for money and it doesn’t seem right that on one side of the street businesses are having to pay while on the other side, if they are outside the ring road, don’t have to pay and yet they will still benefit.

“The free car parking in Culver Street car park after 3pm and on Sundays makes no difference to us.

“Market traders only pay £50 a year for a parking permit allowing them to park twice a week whereas I have to pay £2,500 a year – they will benefit from the BID and yet they are not required to pay the levy – it’s unjust.”

Graham Hayball, of Hayball Cyclesport in Winchester Street, said: “How it becomes compulsory is unnerving considering we voted against it. It involves us having to pay hundreds of pounds on top of colossal business rates.”

Salisbury BID manager Robin McGowan said the “vast majority” of the 550 levy payers in Salisbury were happy with the BID, adding: “There’s always going to be a small minority who aren’t happy but I think this is through a lack of understanding about what the scheme aims to achieve. We understand people are frustrated because they haven’t seen very much happen but it is very early stages and we welcome the chance for discussions with all businesses.”

Among those in favour of the BID is co-owner of Oso Silver in St Thomas’ Square Jan Ashton. She said: “I’m from Shrewsbury which is a town that already has a BID and I have seen a huge improvement there, with cleaner streets and much more of a vibe. I think Salisbury has been missing a trick – it’s not really used all of its features well enough and it has allowed a few areas to look tired and shabby. However I do feel it’s quite a hefty extra expense and there ought to be more money from central government to cover it.”

  • Businesses in Salisbury voted in favour of the BID in November 2013, with 72% of the votes cast being favour of the proposal by number and 82% by rateable value. Of the 550 businesses eligible to vote, 183 did, with 131 in favour and 52 against.