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BUSINESS PLAN 2021-2026

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CONTENTS

BID Team Page 3

A Message from the Chair Page 4

What is a BID? Page 5

Leading the Way Page 6

Another Five Years of Achievement 2016-2021 Page 8

Our Pandemic Response Page 12

What We Will Deliver 2021-2026 Page 18

The BID Board Page 25

Measurement & Performance Page 26

Keeping You Up to Date Page 26

Industry Partners Page 27

The BID Levy, Liability & Collection Page 28

Management & Governance Page 29

Agreements Page 30

BID Alteration Arrangements Page 30

The BID Budget Page 31

The BID Area Page 32

The BID Ballot Page 34

What does a YES Vote Mean for Swansea city centre? Page 35

What Happens If The Ballot Is Unsuccessful? Page 35

Contact Info Page 36

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YOUR BID TEAM

The BID team operates the BID

day-to-day running and delivers the

projects, services, and initiatives set

out in our business plan. Combined,

they have over 70 years of experience in business across

various sectors. RUSSELL GREENSLADE

ANDREW DOUGLAS BRENDAN BOTTOMLEY

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It is vital we continue to invest in the future of Swansea city centre. It is incredible to think that nearly fifteen years has passed since Swansea BID was established. As we look back on what has been achieved by the BID in Swansea city centre during this time, we must not let the pandemic overshadow our success. We are extremely proud of our achievements and how we have helped to shape the city centre. It is important to take a balanced, long-term view of the conditions we are facing now and to press ahead with optimism. city centres are changing, and we are in a better position than many with our exciting regeneration plans unfolding at pace. We all want to see Swansea as the thriving commercial hub of our region and the jewel in the crown of South Wales. This can only happen if we continue to support BID and continue to engage with enthusiasm, ideas and candid comments. As an organisation, Swansea BID is stronger and strategically more prominent than ever before, but only because of your commitment, which enables us to facilitate and be part of the crucial discussions where key decisions about our city centre are being made.

Since early March 2020, the country has had to deal with the impact of COVID-19; a national lockdown, recovery, local spikes, a second national fire break and a high degree of economic uncertainty. This has impacted all business across the country, but especially city centres. The city and town centres that are dealing with the challenges most effectively are those where community leaders and businesses work together. We are stronger together, and as a city centre I think we are proving this to be true every day.

City centres continue to be the social and economic hearts of our communities, but how they are used has changed over the years and will continue to change. We need to ensure that our city centre offers its residents, businesses and employees the services and opportunities they need and want. We know for many of you COVID-19 has damaged business, and recovery will be a long process; so, we have shaped the Business Plan with this in mind and we have not increased the BID levy for the new BID term. The pandemic has changed how our city centre will operate and we need to be smart enough to recognise this and flexible enough to adapt to the challenges and opportunities as they arise. I believe the BID is part of the new emerging Swansea city centre and will play a fundamental role in shaping its future development.

However, we can only achieve this with your continued support, so I would urge all businesses to vote YES in the forthcoming ballot.

Without the BID Swansea city centre would be a very different place.

Juliet Luproini | Chair

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

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Relations with the BID have never been better.

The BID has helped increase foot flow and spend in the city centre – and by working together we continue to support a city centre that’s becoming increasingly attractive to independents, multinationals and creative businesses. More and more people see it as a place to live, work and spend quality time.

Our collaborative approach to working with the BID is crucial in helping drive the city centre economy and vibrancy as the area undergoes its biggest changes for many decades. We’ve started writing a £1bn regeneration story for Swansea city centre and this represents an opportunity to grow the BID and its operations, offering many more reasons to visit our shops, hospitality specialists and other businesses.

We support the BID and look forward to working with staff and members as the organisation goes from strength to strength. Cllr Rob Stewart Leader, The City & County of Swansea

WHAT IS A BID?

Business Improvement Districts, known as BIDs, are business-led and managed partnerships.

A geographical boundary is defined where businesses and organisations in this area invest, collaborate and improve their trading environment.

Projects created provide added value and go beyond the statutory provision of public services. They address local issues through partnership working and collaboration, achieved through a ballot process.

BIDs were first established in Canada and the USA in the 1960s and now exist across the world. There are currently over 320 BIDs delivering £130 million investment in towns and city centres throughout the UK.

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LEADING THE WAY

Since our inception in 2006, as the first BID in Wales and one of the first in the UK, we have been leading the way to help make new things happen in the Swansea city centre BID area.

Our ambition has always been to drive the Swansea city centre BID area forward with powerful and productive partnerships which transform the area and provide inspirational leadership to instigate new ideas and amplify existing initiatives through informed and innovative investment.

Swansea BID is one of the most exciting initiatives developed by the city centre’s business community. Its establishment in 2006 and its successful ballots in 2011 and 2016 reflected a shared ambition to create and grow, and a drive to put Swansea city centre on the map.

Swansea BID is at the forefront of implementing key ideas, initiatives and investment to make the BID area a better place to shop, visit, study, stay and do business.

A not-for-profit, non-political organisation, and a recognised model of place management and marketing, Swansea BID brings businesses together for the collective good to shape and improve Swansea city centre.

After securing our last ballot in 2016, Swansea BID instigated the flow of new ideas and activities more than ever, building on what we delivered in our previous terms.

BID’s current investment is playing its part in transforming our city centre. In the BID’s fourth term this investment is predicted to rise further as more investment and economic growth continues at pace as exampled here ->

Swansea BID is at the heart of the continued growth, marketing, and management of the city centre’s commercial aspect, making those confident statements about the city’s strengths, successes and appeal and celebrating its uniqueness while resulting in a lasting economic effect, bringing business benefits.

Collaboration is vital, with inspirational leadership and strong working relationships across the city centre delivering impact. Swansea BID is best placed to respond nimbly to the needs of those in the BID area.

We know businesses recognise Swansea BID’s essential role in supporting an overall sense of place. Our investments are helping make the BID area more welcoming, better connected and promoted, and our environmental initiatives, the retention of skills and talent and the presentation of clean and safe streets are essential in defining the city centre.

Scan Here

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Swansea BID brings this connectivity. Its continuation is imperative to fuelling and supporting the city centre’s ongoing ambitions, ensuring everyone benefits from ongoing investments.

Swansea BID’s third term is coming to an end on 31 July 2021 and in order for it to continue its work for a fourth term (1 August 2021 – 31 July 2026) the BID is required to hold a renewal ballot. A fourth term would be a first for a BID in Wales.

The ballot will run from Thursday 27 May to Thursday 24 June 2021, and all liable BID levy-paying businesses will be invited to vote. If the ballot is successful, Swansea BID will start a fourth five-year term commencing on 1 August 2021. If the ballot is unsuccessful, Swansea BID will cease to exist with all its services, products and operations wound down with immediate effect.

No replacement body will deliver the objectives,projects and services

outlined in this business

plan.

Swansea BID is far more than just a representative organisation. Swansea BID is out there, every day, grafting, lobbying, canvassing, fighting, for Swansea’s city centre businesses. I have been pleased to witness this industriousness first-hand, and I am pleased to be one of its Directors, supporting Russell and his team deliver every day, for us all.

Bruno NunesCEO Creative Hospitality Company

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The past five years have seen Swansea BID successfully deliver projects and services outlined in our third term business plan. These project themes where the key priorities businesses wanted the BID to deliver based on the initial consultation in 2015:

1. Parking & Transportation

2. Safety & Security

3. Marketing & Events

4. Commercial Business & Facilitation

5. Cleansing & Enhancement

With the UK High Street changing and national footfall in cities throughout the country declining, plus the worldwide pandemic that has had an incredible impact on our city centre and its businesses, the past five years have been highly challenging.

Despite these challenges, Swansea BID has delivered and exceeded the aspirations set out in our third term business plan. Over the following few pages, we’re reflecting on these successes and key achievements.

1. PARKING & TRANSPORTATION You said…more affordable transportation schemes would encourage visitors and shoppers into the city.

So, we...successfully negotiated, supported and invested in free parking after 3pm at peak times; £1 for 3 hours at St David’s Multi-Storey Car Park Boxing Day Park & Ride growing 2.4% yr. on yr.; FREE parking on Small Business Saturdays; FREE parking on Sundays throughout the year; £1 for 2 hours; £2 all-day parking at all Local Authority Car Parks and £3 for 3 hours at all NCP’s used by over 437,000 vehicles, increasing dwell time by 21.6%. We also supported the Santander Shared Cycle Scheme, being used by over 50,000 people.

ANOTHER FIVE YEARS OFACHIEVEMENT 2016 - 2021

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2. SAFETY & SECURITY

You said…to continue funding towards the Ranger service, additional Police officers and to provide Taxi and Night Marshals

So, we…continued to invest in the Ranger service covering 2000 miles/76 marathons, dealing with over 100,000 activities and visiting our businesses over 10,000 times; invested in an additional 1,000 Police Officer hours and provided Taxi and Night Marshals dealing with over 500,000 visitors and thousands of incidents. All playing an essential part in reducing anti-social behaviour by an average of c. 22% working with South Wales Police and other partners. We were a finalist in the National Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) Partnership of the Year, Nighttime Management, and were finalist in the Police Crime Commissioners partnership award.

3. MARKETING & EVENTS

You said…provide marketing of the BID area and its businesses and deliver events helping increase foot flow into the city centre.

So, we…provide free social media and digital marketing platforms promoting businesses, offers and events reaching millions of people and growing social media engagement 35% year on year. We delivered year-round marketing campaigns being seen and heard by over 6 million people (that’s c. double the population of Wales); supported and delivered over 100 events with our student shopping events growing in numbers 9.8% year on year; with over 25,000 visitors for our Halloween, Easter and Christmas bespoke events. We delivered more than 550 press cuttings and broadcast media interviews with an advertising value of £500,000 and supported the Council’s application which secured the national accolade of winning Britain’s’ Best Large Indoor Market title (NABMA) in 2020. We also won the ATCM best Marketing & Branding award and were finalists in The Great British High Street Awards.

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4. COMMERCIAL BUSINESS & FACILITATION

You said...help reduce businesses costs, secure additional business support, provide a recognised, respected voice on local, regional and national platforms and work closely with public sector partners and universities.

So, we...provided over £565,000 in business and worker savings and facilitated over £300,000 in additional business grant support. Our Chief Executive represented our businesses on national platforms as acting Wales Chair of the ATCM, BIDs Foundation Council Member and as an ATCM National Advisory Board Member plus as a member of regional stakeholder groups such as the Welsh Governments town and city centre action group, Swansea Regeneration Group, Chamber Wales and The Federation of Small Businesses. This enabled greater collaborative and true partnership working with the local and national government as the conduit to businesses.

Without Swansea BID we wouldn’t have discounted parking rates for Swansea businesses

Adam at The Foodie Room

Our Creative Bubble joint initiative with

the University of Wales Trinity Saint

David has positively impacted Swansea

city centre socially, economically, and

culturally. It has encouraged students

from different courses to network and

work collaboratively, using the empty shop as a base. The project ultimately helps

improve the economic future of Swansea city centre by increasing footfall and

supporting students who want to set up their businesses. It also adds to Swansea’s

rich culture and vibrancy and has delivered hundreds of events recruiting thousands of

people into the area.

We also provided a suite of free and subsidised training programs for our BID area

businesses, helping them develop and upskill their workforces working with local

further education partner to deliver the project.

We were also finalists in the ATCM Best Business Support award.

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5. CLEANSING & ENHANCEMENT

You said…provide cleansing, enhancement and chewing gum removal services improving the trading and visitor environment

So, we…. removed over 4.5 million pieces of chewing gum and cleansed an area the size of 14 football pitches covering 23 streets in the BID area, 18 times. That is more than 4km of chewing gum that has been blitzed and removed so it cannot clog up the city centre’s drainage system. We provided over 800 mini–Christmas trees and hanging baskets to businesses and over 30,000 flowers and planters throughout the BID area. We also dealt with hundreds of rapid response calls from businesses and removed over 750,000 litres of waste and over 700 items of graffiti from our businesses.

Without Swansea BID Rustys wouldn’t have clean streets

Amanda at Rustys

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Responding

Swansea BID swiftly responded to the COVID-19 and put a recovery framework in place in response to the pandemic emergency, from crisis management to future transformation. We have remained agile in our response and reallocated resources to support our businesses.

Business Support

We significantly scaled up our communications with our levy payers, sharing updates from trusted sources, ensuring clear and concise messages. We also provided emergency support by continuing to be at the end of the phone and emails seven days a week throughout the pandemic. We ran and facilitated webinars to ensure our businesses could ask local authority departments and industry experts questions.

2020/21 – OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE

Without Swansea BID we wouldn’t have been able to get through the pandemicTyrone at Pastalicious

Partnership Working

Making the most of our mature, fifteen year relationships, we have been able to ensure that support for our businesses has been coordinated effectively during these fast-moving and very fluid circumstance.

Information to Governments

We participated and provided information to nationwide lobbying for business support and worked closely with the local authority, governments and national bodies. We provided insight to decision-makers helping influence business rates holidays and grant funding for our businesses.

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Street Teams

The Ranger team we fund towards continued to operate and provide an excellent service throughout the COVID pandemic to our essential businesses and staff and ensured non- essential businesses were safe and any issues were reported swiftly.

The BID office team and Rangers continued to work closely with South Wales Police, who increased their BID area presence through the pandemic, helping deter and manage anti-social behaviour and crime.

Our cleansing team also continued to operate through the pandemic sanitising outside areas of essential businesses and public spaces and provided rapid response cleansing services. They also worked in partnership with our Local Authority to undertake street cleansing to prepare for the city centre reopening’s.

Sign Posting Communications

Without Swansea BID we wouldn’t have the Rangers keeping Swansea city centre safe Laura at Fraser Hart

We significantly increased our signposting

and communication’s actively promoted

businesses that remained open and

hospitality businesses offering takeaways

through our Big Heart of Swansea digital and

platforms.

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Co-ordination & Communication

Our scaled-up proactive and targeted communications included providing information on relevant sector-specific COVID regulations to businesses and updating when needed. Our mature partnership working and insight lead to a successful reopening plan implemented through a well-established multi-agency approach. This included branded signage and messaging in the BID area and a series of webinars to support our businesses as they prepared to reopen after the lockdowns.

Reopening Pack

We sourced more than 5,000 items of PPE from local businesses, and provided businesses with free risk assessments working with local experts in the field, as well as COVID safe and messaging posters and thousands of keeping your distance floor decals.

We provided businesses with a free contactless check-in and guest registration system helping them comply with government regulations and to reopen smoothly.

Through our long-standing relationship with the University of Wales Trinity St David’s, we took delivery of c. 1,000 visors for our businesses, helping them get back on their feet when reopening.

We quickly repurposed our Creative Bubble unit to become our Business Support Hub for businesses to visit, via appointment, to collect our reopening packs, meet us and for us to provide help, support, advice and guidance.

REOPENING

BT

Joiwch Abertawe. Yn gyfrifol.Enjoy Swansea. Responsibly.

Arhoswch gartref os ydych yn sâl

Stay home if unwell

2m

Arhoswch 2 fetr ar wahânKeep 2 metres apart

Gwisgwch orchuddwyneb pan fo’r angenWear a face covering

when required

Golchwch/defnyddiwchhylif diheintio ar eich dwyloWash/sanitise your hands

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Additional Rangers

We supported the local authority in securing four new temporary COVID Rangers helping the existing Ranger Team. This specific team focuses on social distancing and public communications and assists the permanent ranger team.

I have always found Swansea Bid extremely helpful and supportive. This has been very much been the case in recent times working with Andrew and Russell throughout the pandemic when they have been very responsive with all queries and guidance required.Swansea BID have provided support with the Premises Outdoor Adaption Grant which enabled the outside areas of our premises to invest further so that external areas could be more accommodating to guests and allow them to trade through and beyond COVID in-line with the government guidelines when restrictions meant only outside areas are able to be open.Swansea BID have always been very communicative in updating the industry and showing support. They have a very inclusive attitude within Swansea city centre hospitality.

David Bellis, Director of Juniper Place, Old Havana and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill

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Like other businesses, we pivoted and adjusted to the new normal as people safely returned to our BID area.

Transportation

Using our mature partnership with our Local Authority, we facilitated new parking offers of £1 for 2 hours and £2 all day after 9.30 am in all Local Authority car parks within the BID area, helping recruit and retain people into the area and our businesses quickly.

Marketing & Promotion

We reallocated resources to launch a shop local campaign securing over £14,000 in external funding to support it. Our campaigns focused on supporting our businesses, reached over 2 million people and saw an increase in digital engagement of 17%.

Outdoor Adaption

RECOVERY

GIVEUS A

CWTCH

Brought to you by

#ShopLocal

WE’REHEREFORYOU

Brought to you by

#ShopLocal

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Grants

We lead on a new outdoor adaption grant for the BID area. We worked with eligible businesses to provide over £300,000 in grant funding to transform their outside spaces, enabling them to trade through and beyond COVID subject to the government guidelines.

Bottom Line

We have always worked hard to reduce businesses bottom line costs. Repurposing our resources, we scaled up this service as part of our recovery stage facilitating in free tables and chair licensing costs and use of highway, for businesses to trade through the pandemic following government guidelines.

During this time, we also increased the range of discounts available via the BID benefits webpage. These new benefits include discounted insurance, waste services and a range of discounts of advertising services to help business relaunch.

Without Swansea BID we wouldn’t have received funding for outdoor seating

Raluca at Steak on the Kings

Free 30 minute

consultation on any legal

matter from Peter Lynn

and Partners

Free 1 hour ‘Am I ready?’

consultation for food safety

management checks from

Beacon Compliance

10% discount on all

insurance policies from

Towergate Insurance

Old Havana Swansea provide

20% discount on food and

drinks for corporate bookings

for BID business

6 months free terminal rental to

“new to card” businesses from

Global Payments

Business Butler is offering

a one hour Business

Restart Session to their

members

10% discount on all Fire

Risk assessments from

Green Hat Consulting

10% discount on

regular commercial

waste collection from

We Will Clear It

A four-ball session at

Fairwood Golf Club

Rbuddie (a paperless receipt service) is

offering free integration with your EPOS

system and no monthly fees for 18 months

10% discount on orders over £50 (exc

paper & original toner/cartridges)

from S&A Stationers Ltd

Free quotes and a 20% discount on

all commercial cleaning services from

Nitro Cleaning Services

10% discount on all shop

signage from The Print Co.

10% discount on golf day

service from Impromptu

Golf Swansea

5% discount on shredding services from

Matthews Confidential Shredding

Reduced parking rates for city centre workers in NCP car

parks via the park pass app and 42% reduction on

parking season tickets for city centre workers at High

Street and St. David's multi storey car parks

We have also worked hard to increase the

number of discounts that Bid Businesses

qualify for, such as;

South West Wales No.1 radio stations The Wave

and Greatest Hits South Wales offer a permanent

20% discount on all airtime campaigns.

25% discount on digital

display board advertising

with Emerge Advertising

Free Advertising

on the Big Screen

in Castle Gardens

10% off brand design and

marketing consultancy

services from MGB

Communications

20% off leaflet and

banner design from SW

Design & Print

Free promotional pitch in

the city centre for new

businesses or for those

who haven’t used the

service before, and 50% off

subsequent promotional

pitches.

50% discount on a one-off promotional

article on Walesonline, along with a

targeted Facebook boost on their

Walesonline Partner platform.

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Over the next five years, we aim to maintain and build on the solid and unique fifteen year foundations that we have laid in our first, second and third terms, to continue with our successful services, improve them and deliver new ones.

The BID team and Directors will continue to provide leadership and representation to champion businesses within the BID area and ensure a strong voice on addressing issues.

We aim to enhance the trading environment and the experience of visiting our BID area at these hugely exciting times for the area with its ongoing redevelopment and regeneration, generating direct benefits to our BID area businesses.

Between November 2020 and January 2021, we consulted with our Levy Payers through surveys, face-to-face conversations (when/where possible following COVID rules) and webinars. We also sought feedback from national organisations including British BIDs and The BID Foundation, who work closely with national chain head offices.

Through this consultation and our conversations, we developed a set of projects to take forward into Swansea BID 4 under the themes of:

1. Welcoming & Enhancing

2. Promoting & Supporting

3. Representing & Influencing

The visitor experience is an increasingly important element to the success of city centres. Swansea BID works with partners to enhance the BID area’s overall appearance improving the customer welcome and to ensure Swansea city centre remains safe and welcoming.

WHAT WILL THE BID DELIVER - 2021 - 2026?

WELCOMING AND ENHANCING

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Crime prevention and business support

We will continue to provide financial support to the city centre Rangers, Night Marshals and additional Police Officers.

Working with businesses and other partners, we will further develop our Swansea Against Business Crime partnership (SABC) with clear objectives to reduce the impact of crime against businesses and their staff and scale up our support for our Hospitality and Best Bar None forums under our SABC operations.

Being a member of the National Business Crime Reduction Partnership (NABCP), we will work towards NABCP accreditations/certification complementing our membership of Wales Against Business Crime (WABC) which we are already accredited by. We will also further develop our Cyber Essentials Certification.

Working with partners we will aim to launch a civil notice exclusion scheme denying criminals access to BID area businesses helping reduce crime, losses and improve workers and customers security. In addition, we will continue to support the Public Service Protection Order (PSBO) that we have worked closely with partners to instate in the BID area.

We will also continue to facilitate businesses signing up to the BID areas reduced cost digital radio system and radio system training. We will support the further development and updating of the information database (DISC) and build its capability to share information to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

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South Wales Police work closely in collaboration with Swansea BID, this is a key partnership to ensure everyone has a safe and comfortable experience free of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour while in the city centre, this is a top priority when it comes to supporting both the day and night-time economy.

Initiatives such as the City Centre Rangers funded towards by BID who assist the Police in keeping people safe in daytime and the Taxi Marshalls who contribute greatly to reducing disorder at busy taxi ranks at times of peak demand, ensuring members of the public can travel to and from the city centre free from harm. The dedicated BID funded police patrols in the city centre have no doubt contributed to the reduction in crime and disorder, the financial support has been well received and will continue into 2021 and beyond. The professional relationships developed between all key partners that has been managed and coordinated by Swansea Bid over a number of years is absolutely vital for securing the long-term safety of all who live, visit and work in this vibrant city centre.

Lynne Bowen-JonesLocal Policing T/Inspector

Enhancing the appearance of the BID area

Enhancing the appearance of the trading and visitor environment remains a key priority for businesses. We will continue to provide additional services over and above the Council’s statutory services.

We will invest in the following initiatives to improve the overall appearance of the city centre:

• Street Washing and chewing gum removal

• Responsive cleaning services for businesses

• Graffiti removal from the private realm

• Greening and environmental projects

Enhancing the visitor experience

To encourage visitors to explore all areas of the BID area and spread footfall and spend, we will continue to support and negotiate transportation offers. We will continue to support initiatives to welcome and support visitors to Swansea city centre.

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PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING

Swansea city centre has so much to offer, and we are working to maximize its potential. Through seasonal experiences, promotional activities and marketing campaigns, the BID will continue to promote our businesses and the city centre to visitors and residents to help increase footfall and spend in the city centre.

Promoting businesses

We will continue to promote businesses through our free BID and Big Heart of Swansea social media channels, websites, marketing campaigns and events. We will revamp and invest in new technologies for our discount/loyalty Big Heart of Swansea card and brand which has over 155,000 in circulation and a database of over c. 20,000.

Promoting the city to residents and visitors

Our Big Heart of Swansea website has tens of thousands of unique visitors per year and a rapidly growing social media following of over 16,000, growing on average of 17% year on year. We will work with partners to promote the city centre to visitors and create new opportunities for our members to showcase their business.

We will work collaboratively on exciting seasonal experiences, campaign activities to help attract more visitors and residents into the city centre. We will aim to maximise the busy periods of the year.

Support for events

Quality events bring footfall into the BID area, and many of our businesses directly benefit from the increased footfall. We will continue to promote and support events to attract as many visitors as possible.

We will provide support, guidance and signposting to new and existing events to become financially sustainable.

We will also work to enhance events with business engagement, promotional campaigns and marketing support.

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Supporting businesses

Delivering cost-saving schemes and cutting costs off the bottom line will remain a focus, and we will use BID’s buying power to negotiate favourable rates on an array of services and products. We will work towards reducing businesses costs even further and cutting bottoms line costs.

We will promote and engage with workers in and around the BID area to promote what’s on and to communicate any promotional offers using our free social media and digital platforms and further fully utilise our in-house customer management system and direct messaging services to benefit all.

We will provide support and management of recognised accreditation platforms for businesses to work towards, such as our Best Bar None scheme and our key partner support for national accreditation kite mark Purple Flag, which we were the first city centre in Wales to secure in February 2015 and have worked hard to maintain ever since.

The student market is an essential economic driver for the BID area and our businesses. We will use our mature relationships with our cities universities and colleges to gather informed intelligence of what this demographic wants and needs, and also work to recruit and maintain them after graduating through projects such as our Creative Bubble with The University of Wales Trinity St David’s, that has already delivered hundreds of events and supported thousands of students since its inception.

We will also look to offer new support services to businesses, such as a dedicated Big Heart of Swansea Gift Card aimed at keeping money in the BID area and a new BID lead business information centre.

Swansea BID help us by advising us on pandemic funding streams and fought our corner in regard to rates-based grants.

Catherine Williams Gifts & Co

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Cities operate more efficiently when businesses and local authorities work together. The BID will continue to grow its 15-year solid partnership working.

As an established partner representing businesses in the city centre, the BID is a strong, recognised and respected voice championing business needs.

A Recognised, Respected and Influential Voice for Businesses

One of our key priorities is to continue to provide our business community with a strong voice to influence decision making.

We will represent, and champion business needs in local matters such as council service delivery and infrastructure and the areas exciting redevelopment/regeneration led by our key strategic partners, The City & County of Swansea. We will continue working with the area’s developers and investors as part of the city centre new stimulus and recovery plan.

We will continue to lobby the Welsh Government, South Wales Police and Swansea Council on a whole host of matters and issues.

We will ensure that we are your representative voice more so than ever in our fourth term and grow our change-making ability even further to help us overcome challenges we all face together.

Through our memberships and national board representation with recognised national industry bodies, we will continue to play an active role at a national level on policies affecting our businesses and their trading environment.

UWTSD works closely with the BID on several projects that benefit business and the economy of Swansea. The Creative Bubble project, for example, demonstrates the strong partnership we have developed with the BID that has resulted in graduates starting their own businesses in the city centre. As this is where the majority of our students’ study, live and socialise the BID operations add significantly to the attractiveness of the city centre offering. Consequently, we support the BID due to its positive impact on the city centre and for its contribution to improving our students’ experiences. We have also seen at first hand the support provided by the BID as we worked closely with the BID team to ensure essential PPE was provided to businesses in Swansea following the first Covid lockdown.

Professor Ian Walsh, Provost

University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s

REPRESENTING & INFUENCING

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Representing businesses in Swansea city centre’s Longer-term Economic Plans

Building on the solid foundations, we will continue to work with key partners to facilitate stronger partnerships and collaborative working; to achieve even more outstanding visible business results.

Working with the City & County of Swansea, national government, other partners and specialist advisors, we will continue to be a key partner in developing the economic plan for Swansea city centre, ensuring we represent all businesses in our BID area.

We will work in partnership with local and national government driving investment, growth and prosperity for all to benefit from.

We will continue to be the conduit to businesses for partners being the go-to organisation for our businesses and investors concerning local government and public realm matters.

The increase in the number of BIDS around the UK is testament to the success of BIDS in general. Whilst other locations have experienced new development over the last 20 years, Swansea has had little until the last couple of years. The BID will play a vital role in bringing shoppers and other users back to Swansea and is the key to private and public sector working together to create a fantastic destination.

Lisa Hartley

Quadrant Shopping Centre Manager

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The Board of Directors represents our businesses/organisations, provides governance, and helps shape the BID strategy. All Directors are financial contributors to the BID are from different business sectors, work voluntarily and unpaid.

• Juliet Luproini | Independent Business Owner & city centre Landlord – Chair

• Jennie Clement | Clements Jones - Vice-Chair & Company Secretary

• Cllr Rob Stewart | Leader, City & County of Swansea

• Cllr Robert Francis - Davies | Cabinet Member, Investment, Regeneration & Tourism,

City & County of Swansea

• Peter Lynn | Managing Partner, Peter Lynn & Partners Solicitors

• Bruno Nunes | CEO, Creative Hospitality Group

• Jodie Potter | Branch Director, Santander

• Andrew Downie | Managing Director, Net bop Technologies

• Richard Jones | Managing Director, Moda

• Professor Ian Walsh | Provost Swansea & Cardiff, University of Wales Trinity St Davids

• Andrew Parry-Jones | Regeneration & Development Manager, Coastal Housing Group

• Lisa Hartley | Manager, The Quadrant Shopping Centre

• Matthew Price | Store Manager, Tesco

• Christopher Barnes | Managing Director, Mr Dapper

BID BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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As a BID that has been operating for fifteen years, we know that a key element of the BID’s role is to keep our businesses up to date with BID projects and city centre news, opportunities, advice, support and guidance for businesses. We will continue to keep our businesses and organisations updated through several channels:

• One-to-one business meetings allowing businesses to engage and feed into the BID.• City centre Rangers, Cleansing team, Marshals and office team visits to businesses.• BID Bulletin e-newsletter sent out monthly.• Webinars & Workshops organised and managed by the BID. • E-shots sent as and when there’s news to communicate.• BID website and social media channels sharing information.• Press and PR professional support to promote positive news and achievements.• Yearly Expenditure Leaflet summarising the achievements of the year and

highlighting our plans for the year ahead.• Open Stakeholder Meetings providing a comprehensive update of the Swansea BID

company.• Annual Report online and print will be available to BID area businesses and will

include performance reports for individual projects and operational delivery.

In the BIDs fourth term we will commit to developing our communications and technology platforms to further improve our communications to our stakeholders.

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE

MEASUREMENT & PERFORMANCE

Swansea BID is proud to have been the first BID in Wales to become British BIDs accredited in 2011 and have worked hard to maintain it ever since. We have also been awarded compliance with The BID Foundation Industry Standards and were the first BID in Wales to hold this and British BIDs accreditation.

There will be a series of performance indicators to ensure that performance is measured. These will include:

• Footfall & Spend data*

• Transportation data

• Police city centre reports

• Mid Term review

• Business surveys

• Media evaluation

• Purple Flag

*provided by local authority

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To allow us to learn and share best practice, Swansea BID is a member of the following industry bodies and organisations and has national positions on them.

British BIDs (Bb) are a highly respected and long-established organisation focused entirely on Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). We are British BIDs accredited providing reassurance that Swansea BID is a well-run organisation that businesses should have confidence in. It is the industry-recognised standard, externally assessed by independent auditors and designed according to the National BID Criteria and the National Guiding Principles for a BID.

We have been a member of the TBF since it was established in 2018. We hold The BIDs Foundation industry standards that is awarded following a review process conducted by The BID Foundation. This set of 11 industry standards cover key aspects of a BID’s structure and operations, including its business plan, governance mechanisms and reporting, its directors and personal interests, and its detail on ballot results.

We are members of The Association of Town Centre Management. ATCM is a respected voice for town and city management at both a European and wider global level with members from the public, private and third sectors.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

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Government Legislation and Regulations govern the BID process. As such, once a majority vote has been achieved, the BID levy becomes mandatory on all defined ratepayers.

The BID levy will be charged at 1% of the ratable value of each hereditament listed in the Rating List with a ratable value of £5,000 or more, using the 2017 Rating List as of 13th May 2021, which is the date of notice of the ballot.

Apart from those that are located within the existing Quadrant Shopping Centre and any subsequent new shopping centre developments that are planned, built and managed as a single entity, comprising units and communal areas, with a minimum gross leasable area (GLA) of 5,000 square meters (m2) where a 0.90% levy charge will be applied.

Those receiving either 80% mandatory and 20% discretionary charitable relief or 100% Discretionary Relief from non-domestic rates will be exempt from the BID.

Where a property is taken out of rating, e.g., due to demolition or a split or merge of an existing assessment, the BID levy will apply up to the day before the effective day of removal from the Rating List, and the annual BID levy will be apportioned accordingly. This will include cases where the ratable value has been reduced to £1 or zero.

Where a new assessment is brought into the Rating List, e.g., a newly erected property or a property resulting from a split or merger, the BID levy will apply from the effective date as shown in the Rating List. The annual levy will be apportioned daily as required.

There will be no VAT charged on the BID levy. The BID levy will be payable in a single instalment 28 days after the demand notice issue.

The BID levy will be payable from 1st August 2021 for the first year of the BID and 1st April for each subsequent year. The charge will be calculated daily, and there will be adjustments during the year to reflect changes in the liable party.

In accordance with The Business Improvement Districts (Wales) Regulations 2005, the City and County of Swansea Revenues and Benefits Section will be responsible for the imposition, administration, collection, recovery and application of the BID levy.

Non-payment of the BID levy will be strongly pursued via all available enforcement options as determined in the current Non-Domestic Rating legislation. The term of the BID will be for a period of 5 years from 1st August 2021.

The BID levy will also not be affected by any of Welsh Government’s Rate Relief Schemes.

The BID levy is payable on the whole rating assessment, irrespective of whether part or all of it is empty.

In the case of vacant properties, the BID levy will be collected at 100% from either the owner or leaseholder (if an occupational lease exists) except in cases where insolvency proceedings have commenced.

THE BID LEVY, LIABILITY AND COLLECTION

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Swansea Business Improvements Ltd is the BID proposer. The new BID will again be managed by Swansea Business Improvements Ltd a not-for-profit organisation, limited by guarantee.

The BID management and governance will be open and transparent, and accountable to levy payers. A private sector representative will always chair the BID company, and all Directors will be financial contributors to the BID company.

The make-up of the Board will consist of a skills-based matrix. It will aim to reflect the BID levy-paying businesses’ sector breakdown across the city centre, including private, public, third sector and both national and independent business representation.

This will occur by co-option until the Open Stakeholder Meeting of the renewed BID where board members will be elected.

Additional Board Directors maybe voted in by the board if their expertise or sector knowledge is required before the next Open Stakeholder Meeting.

The Board takes responsibility for the strategic and financial management of the BID. It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to ensure good governance of the BID.

The Board will meet not less than quarterly each year, review strategy and consider recommendations from the Chief Executive, and agree on any decisions on behalf of the BID company.

Alongside the BID Board, functional working groups will focus on specific issues and projects of the 4th term themes. These groups will have at least one Director in their membership, and any necessary budget will be agreed upon at the Board level.

The BID will produce a set of annual accounts made available to all BID levy-paying businesses on request. An income and expenditure document will be sent to all levy payers annually.

The BID will enter into the necessary agreements with The City & County of Swansea.

The BID is exempt from corporation tax on trading profits and is Information Commission Office (ICO) Registered.

MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE OF THE BID

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Agreements

The BID activities represent added value above and beyond public services already provided in the BID area. For this reason, Baseline and Service Level Agreements exist between the BID and The City and County of Swansea to clearly define the level of service that can be expected from the Local Authority and Police.

An Operating Agreement between the BID and The City and County of Swansea defines contractual arrangements for collection and enforcement of the BID Levy. A copy of these can be found at www.swanseabid.co.uk in the documents section.

BID Alteration Arrangements

The BID area and the BID levy percentage cannot be altered without an Alteration Ballot.

The BID projects, headings, costs and timescales can be altered by the Board, within the constraints of BID income-providing that the BIDs aims/focus are adhered to.

The BID Board management committee and any sub-groups will manage budgets within their areas of specialty.

Like any business growth is essential, so additional projects that further support and benefit city centre businesses and the BID area’s economy and vibrancy will be reviewed within the BID income constraints providing the BIDs aims/focus are adhered to.

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We always work to leverage our income, using it as match funding to unlock additional money to maximise our city centre’s impact. A cautious approach has been adopted to budgeting for the fourth BID term. Recognising that businesses are facing added pressures the BID Levy will be kept the same as in previous terms at 1%.

• Based on the past performance of collection services between 2016-2021, an assumed collection rate of 95% has been adopted.

• A contingency on the expenditure of 5% has been applied in line with industry criteria. • Unspent contingencies will be kept in reserve and rolled over to the next financial year.• No inflation is being applied to the levy throughout the BID term• Operating costs are budgeted to remain below 20% of the total annual expenditure in

line with industry criteria.• The levy collection charge is £18,000pa, which equates to £22.11 per unit. • Project costs will be directed to the themes of the Term 4 Business Plan. • Decisions of budget allocation will be governed by the BID Board and minuted

accordingly.• A cautious approach to budgeting has been adopted to future additional income

calculated as c. 6% of total levy.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Levy Income £370,000 £370,000 £370,000 £370,000 £370,000

Suplus b/f £50,000 £0 £0 £0 £0

Additional £20,000 £20,000 £20,000 £20,000 £20,000

Total £440,000 £390,000 £390,000 £390,000 £390,000

Project Expenditure

Welcoming & Enhancing £115,250 £112,250 £112,250 £112,250 £112,250

Promoting & Supporting £110,250 £100,250 £100,250 £100,250 £100,250

Representing & Influencing £108,000 £71,000 £71,000 £71,000 £71,000

Other Expenditure

Operating Costs £70,000 £70,000 £70,000 £70,000 £70,000

Levy Collection Costs £18,000 £18,000 £18,000 £18,000 £18,000

Contingency £18,500 £18,500 £18,500 £18,500 £18,500

Total £440,000 £390,000 £390,000 £390,000 £390,000

PROJECTED 5-YEAR BUDGET 2021-2026

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This map shows the Swansea BIDs fourth term area. The 814* Businesses who meet the BID liability outlined on the map below and located on the streets listed will be included in the BID and will be required to pay the BID levy.

THE BID AREA

*correct at time of print

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• Adelaide Street

• Albert Row

• Alexandra Road

• Bath Lane

• Belle Vue Way

• Caer Street

• Castle Square

• Castle Street

• Christina Street

• College Street

• Craddock Street

• De La Beche Street

• Dynevor Place

• Ferry Side

• Green Dragon Lane

• Grove Place

• High Street

• Horton Street

• Ivey PLace

• Kings Lane

• Mansel Street

• Nelson Street

• Newton Street

• Northampton Lane

• Orchard Street

• Oxford Street

• Oystermouth Road

• Parc Tawe

• Park Street

• Pell Street

• Picton Arcade

• Plymouth street

• Portland Street

• Princess Way

• Prospect Place

• Quay Parade

• Quay West

• Rutland Place

• Shoppers Walk

• Salubrious Passage

• Salubrious Place

• Singleton Street

• Somerset Place

• St David’s Square

• St Mary’s Square

• The Kingsway

• The Quadrant

• The Strand

• Trinity Place

• Union Street

• Victoria Road

• Welcome Lane

• Wellington Street

• Whitewalls

• Wind Street

• Worcestershire Place

• York Street

• Victoria Quay

• Paxton Drive

• Marina Square

• Cambrian place

• Dunvant place

• Bathhurst Street

• Trawler Road

LIST OF STREETS IN THE BID AREA

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THE BID BALLOT

The BID ballot will be successful if the following two criteria are met:

1. More than 50% of businesses that vote must vote YES

2. Of the businesses who vote, the YES vote must represent more than 50% of the total ratable value of all votes cast

From 27th May 2021 until 24th June 2021, businesses will be asked to cast their vote in a formal ballot. To ensure neutrality, the ballot will be administered by Civica Election Services (CES) and will be a secret ballot.

The ballot will be conducted entirely by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services (CES) of The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW

The ballot papers will be forwarded to those ratepayers who are eligible to vote on 27th May 2021 and must be returned by no later than 5 pm 24th June 2021.

Eligible Voters

All defined ratepayers will be entitled to one vote per hereditament*. Some businesses will occupy more than one hereditament within an area and will have more than one vote and receive more than one ballot paper.

Ratepayers that have been exempt from paying the BID levy will not be eligible to vote. It will be possible to appoint a Proxy** to vote on your behalf. Proxy applications will need to be made to the ballot holder by 14th June 2021.

Ballot Timeline

• 13th May 2021 - Notice of ballot sent out.

• 27th May 2021 - Ballot paper and business plan sent out.

• 24th June 2021 - You will need to vote by 5 pm on this date.

• 25th June 2021 - The ballot result will be announced on the BID website, BID Businesses direct email, and social media channels.

* Hereditament means a ratable business unit** A Proxy is a person authorized to vote for another, an agent or a substitute

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The renewal of Swansea BID and The Big Heart of Swansea or a further five years would mean:

An additional +£2m investment directly into Swansea city centre’s BID area.

The continuation of BID projects, initiatives and services making the area a better place to shop, visit, stay, study and do business.

Development of new projects as set out in this business plan.

A recognised and respected voice for businesses to influence the future of the area.

Should the BID fourth ballot fail to gain a positive majority vote, Swansea BID and the Big Heart of Swansea will cease to exist and all its projects, services, products and operations will be wound down with immediate effect.

No replacement body will deliver these services if BID activities cease.

WHAT HAPPENS IF UNSUCCESSFUL?

WHAT DOES A ‘YES’ VOTE MEAN FOR SWANSEA CITY CENTRE?

We would have had a hard job getting hold of protective equipment for our staff.

Simon at Gamers’ Emporium

We had an issue with our commercial waste collection. Swansea BID helped us get it sorted!

Alex at Greek Acropolis

Bid have supported us with the expansion of our business. We have used the online jobs page to recruit new staff and then BID have helped those new staff with parking offers, saving them a considerable amount of money. We have also made use of the BID benefit discounts in regards to advertising and waste removal. We are very happy to support BID and have provided our own offer to city centre workers as well.

Dave Lewis at Mortgage Advise Bureau

Swansea BID helped us to apply for funding during the pandemic

Luca at Francos

Contact Information

If you have any questions or queries please contact 01792 475 021 or email info@swanseabid.co.uk

The BID office address for any correspondence is

1 Picton Lane, Swansea SA1 4AF

www.swanseabid.co.uk

/SwanseaBID @SwanseaBID

/swansea-business-improvement-districtin