The Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) has been voted in for a second five-year programme of activity following a hugely successful renewal ballot.

In one of the strongest results seen in the UK and the most emphatic of any BID in Cornwall, 87 per cent of voting businesses have indicated their support for the BID to continue investing in projects for the town. The ballot received a substantive turnout of nearly 60 per cent of town businesses that included its national chains, independent shops, professional services, marine-related businesses, cafes, pubs, restaurants, guesthouses and hotels.

For any BID ballot to be successful, there needs to be a majority of businesses in favour, both in terms of number of votes cast and by rateable value. For the Falmouth BID the percentage of yes votes by number was 87 per cent and by rateable value 86 per cent.

Richard Wilcox, the Falmouth BID manager said: “I’m extremely pleased at such a positive response from the town. It’s great that Falmouth has so many proactive businesses that understand the need to pull together and work as a team to further enhance our promotional efforts, public realm, events and festivals and lots more besides.

“Despite the most challenging of economic climates, a strong partnership between the BID and town management has developed to provide a proactive and innovative resource. The yes vote means that a minimum of £600,000 can be allocated to even more creative projects over the next five years, a result of businesses coming together for the common good.”