BID backed to boost Lancing businesses

Released: Friday, 30 June 2023

Adur District Council will again back the Lancing Business Improvement District (BID) for a fourth BID term to help give an economic boost to businesses on Lancing Business Park.

The aim of the not-for-profit BID is to facilitate a safe, accessible, clean and connected business community.

It also aims to maintain the positive working partnership between Lancing Business Park, the businesses that they serve and the Council ensuring all parties continue to work together to support future economic growth.

The BID generates more than £400,000 in funding from a levy from all eligible businesses on the business park over a period of four years and seven months, starting from September 1st, 2023.

Cllr Angus Dunn, Adur's Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said:

“We are committed to working with businesses in Lancing to help them thrive and boost the local economy, which benefits everyone.

“The BID has a proven track record over the years of promoting local businesses and attracting investment, as well as benefiting the environment thanks to innovative shared schemes.

“The BID helps safeguard businesses, as well as providing future competitiveness and prosperity by helping to decide where the spending priorities lie and helping provide improved services where needed.”

The BID will continue to work with businesses and partners to improve services including recycling, fly-tipping and litter, as well as promoting Net Zero information and providing training and funding opportunities.

According to feedback from businesses, the areas for priority for the fourth term are to improve the road surfaces, further improvements to potential flooding in Commerce Way, initiatives to stop vehicles travelling the wrong way around the one-way system, odour issues, parking enforcement, broadband connectivity and parking provision across the park. 

Photo: Lancing Business Park, entrance sign (credit - Lancing Business Improvement District)

Lancing Business Park is the second-largest business area in West Sussex, with more than 250 businesses and 3,000 employees based at the park. The six roads included in the BID industrial area are Blenheim Road, Chartwell Road, Commerce Way, Marlborough Road, Peter Road and Spencer Road.

Some of the BID's projects in previous terms have included a three-year partnership with West Sussex Highways to implement a Community Highway Scheme addressing business issues on the park, forming a Partner Flooding Forum to address flooding in Commerce Way, launching a coordinated approach to installing full-fibre broadband to minimise disruption, upgrading the LBP CCTV network to 30 high-quality cameras and raising occupancy rate at the park to 99.6 percent.

The BID, which was first proposed and put to the ballot in 2008, gives all BID Levy payers, large or small, equal weight over decisions that affect themselves, their employees and their customers.

For the BID to continue, more than 50% of businesses that vote must vote in favour of it, and those in favour must also represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of the businesses that vote.

If that happens, all eligible businesses would have to pay the levy, whether they voted in favour of it or not. Council members have agreed to vote in favour of the BID. The fourth term ballot will take place on Thursday, July 13th, with the result announced by 5pm on 14th July 2023.

Damian Pulford, BID Chairman and MD of Sussex Transport said:

“Thanks to Adur District Council for their continued support of Lancing BID. We are a Business Improvement District; a local business community supporting our members to navigate business issues and encourage growth.

“A successful BID works collaboratively with good communication and shared understanding. Communities thrive through working together and we appreciate all our members', stakeholders' and partners' support and input. Together we will continue to boost the local economy and help unlock the real potential of Lancing.”

Photo: Lancing Business Park, aerial view (credit - Lancing Business Improvement District)

(PR23-088)

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