MTC tells the BID to look at taxing Mart Road businesses.

So Minehead Town Council have told the BID they would like them to look at including ( = taxing) the Mart Road businesses.

Wonder what the Mart Road businesses think of this?

The BID Chair knows this is a stupid idea for the BID, you could tell when the Council asked him and he tried to politely tell them it's not really appropriate. There's good reason the Mart Road businesses weren't included originally.

If any business on Mart Road is desperate to join the BID club they can now anyway voluntarily, paying as Associate Members.

It’s another example of the Council using its influence over BID to try and shape the direction it wants it to go. Simple really, taxing more businesses raises more cash to be spent on the town, which in turn saves their budgets.

The Town Council shouldn't be looking to use its 'partnership' to exert influence over BID decisions. Good thing is that as a Council it has no legislative powers over the BID and it's upto the BID company to include who it wants. If that means telling the Council no, bad idea, then that's just the way it is.

We don't wish the BID tax on anyone else and hopefully no-one has to pay from 2023!

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P.S. This is how the BID Chair explained years ago why Mart Road wasn’t included originally. Let’s remember this was the result of an ‘extensive’ feasibility study consulting with the Mart Road business, but on the other hand it could have been voting map manipulation to cut them out if they felt there would be too many no voters on Mart Road.

Q. What is the reasoning behind excluding certain businesses from the process, eg. Corner House Stores and Mart Road Trading Estate?

A. The BID boundary was fixed to reflect the objectives of the BID. The main thrust of the whole project was based on increasing the profile of Minehead in retail and tourism terms and thereby increasing footfall. The further away from the Centre and Seafront the net was cast would, it was agreed, the less likely added value and impact would be delivered. The boundary was settled on at the feasibility stage over a year ago when it was explained to those from the Estate who turned up to a pretty packed open business meeting that any Business anywhere could, if they felt they wanted to, make a voluntary contribution to the scheme. We are confident that this will happen. You specifically mentioned the Cornerhouse Store, but it would have also been as relevant to a B&B business in Woodcombe or a shop in Alcombe.