A scheme which could see over a hundred thousand pounds a year being spent on town centre improvements in Rye is being hotly debated at the moment. The money would be raised by a levy on 277 Rye businesses who would be required to contribute to a new fund, which is proving controversial.
Locals firms are divided on whether a "business improvement district" or BID in Rye would be good for the town. Some business owners are worried about the cost and enforcement of the levy which could be used to pay for things like improved signage, making better use of the Strand, increased tourist marketing, more Christmas lights, and finding a solution for the station toilets - if it goes ahead.
Consultation has been taking place among Rye businesses for a BID, which is already in place in hundreds of other English towns and cities, with a final proposal being presented to the shops and businesses in the autumn. A ballot of the eligible businesses will then take place in January. Click here for more details about the BID proposals and process.
A local team trying to deliver the scheme is facing a petition and accusations that the BID process lacks transparency. There is also an acrimonious debate on social media and instant messaging.
Levelling up funding to explore the idea has been won by Rye Chamber of Commerce whose vice-chair Sarah Broadbent is part of the Rye Bid Task Group made up of local firms big and small. She says a BID is the only way town centre improvements will happen. "Top of the list of ideas to date are investment in Christmas Lights that will stretch throughout the commercial areas of the town; a plan to help the long-term upkeep of station approach loos; some big ideas for ensuring the ‘Strand quarter’ benefits from stronger footfall, and destination marketing that will keep Rye on the map long after Rother District Council ceases to exist."
She says the changes to local government will have a huge effect on Rye. "People say ‘it’s the council’s job’ well it won’t be for much longer. We are going to lose RDC and the county council when the new unitary authority is formed in two years. RDC is using reserves to plug its funding gap, and ESCC has already used its reserves in full. The future new authority is simply not going to have the funds or focus to pay much attention to small areas like Rye."
277 businesses in Rye in and around the town centre will be required to contribute if the plans are agreed. 185 of the firms would pay less than £250 a year, with 85 of them paying £125 or less. The largest businesses would pay the most, with at least £103,000 raised annually.
The mandatory nature of the proposals is one of the main reasons some local firms are against the idea says Mark Walter, the owner of The Green House on The Mint. "It's a levy you have no choice but to pay and I disagree with that in principle. If you feel you can contribute then you should, but if you feel you can't or you just disagree with it you should have the option. Imposing a levy on people who work very, very hard to maintain their own business in a very challenging environment is just wrong."
Writing in Rye News he says a BID is not needed in Rye. You can read more here.
Silvia Shinn from Plaristo on the High Street is in favour of what the BID could do for Rye. She's says it is worth the low charge for her business. "It's a weekly cost of between £1.92 and £5.77 for us. If it attracts more people to our lovely town and leads to one more sale a week in our shop, we are already ahead. It's value for money. I think it’s worth the risk."
Also writing in Rye News she describes the idea as a "no-brainer." Follow this link for more.
"There's been a lack of consultation" says Mark Walter. "It hasn’t been fully explained, and people are still unaware they may have to pay. There are an awful lot of businesses in Rye that are not members of the chamber and who were completely unaware of it happening until just a couple of weeks ago. People who own big businesses and some of the pubs weren't informed. It was misguided to instigate this without proper consultation."
"Not so" says Sarah Broadbent. "The 277 businesses within the proposed BID area have all been sent four separate communications by post over the last eleven months including an online questionnaire, requests for businesses to join the task group, a newsletter, and an invitation to workshops. 170 businesses have also been visited either by task group members or by staff from the agency we’re working with to help steer us through the consultation. That’s 61% of the businesses within the BID area. The consultation period has been extended precisely so more businesses can request a meeting at their convenience."
The heated online discussion has added to the controversy, judging by messages seen by Rye News. Mark Walter says some of the social media has been horrible. "The Rye BID has caused a clear divide between those who want it and those who don’t. It's got a bit personal and I don't agree with that."
For Sarah Broadbent, from the Rye Bid Task Group, what's needed now is for people from the 277 businesses affected to read the draft plan. "I hope they'll ask more questions and ultimately vote on the final plan if we proceed that far. It won’t be for anyone else to determine."
If approved, money raised by the Rye BID would begin to be spent this time next year.
