News and Insights
Sevenoaks BID Proposal
Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest news and insights from the Sevenoaks BID proposal. Stay informed on the issues that matter.
Our Business Improvement District (BID) Champions
Work on developing the Sevenoaks BID is progressing with a Steering Group of volunteers in the process of creating the Business Plan. The Group is led by two champions, Nicki Rundle of Thackray Williams Solicitors and Jason Crow of The Better Body Group.
The BID proposal was launched in June 2024 and generally positive feedback has given encouragement to go to the next stage – the development of the Business Plan. The Business Plan will be developed by businesses for businesses, aimed at improving the business environment for all in these difficult times. This will include initiatives for digital promotion, sharing resources with the aim to reduce costs, branding for smaller shopping areas and improved security etc. It is on this document that a ballot of potential levy paying businesses will vote.
As Sevenoaks has a wide diversity of businesses and interest groups, the Steering Group has been drawn from businesses from all the geographical areas of the town and a good selection of business types with representation from both youth and senior organisations too.
NICKI RUNDLE
Nicki joined Thackray Williams in October 2024 and is a Senior Associate in the Commercial Property team covering the Sevenoaks and Kent areas. She acts for a broad range of clients in and around Sevenoaks, looking after their commercial property interests and brings with her a wealth of experience from her past appointment as a board member of the Oxted BID.
JASON CROW
Jason is owner of The Better Body Group based in Bat & Ball Road. He has overseen the training for national athletes and teams, writing articles for many national journals, established and implemented exercise procedures for individuals with severe clinical conditions, both privately and for large medical institutions. He is keen to make sure the BID benefits all sectors of the economy including those on business parks.
Green Light!
The whole Town Team, including businesses, residents, voluntary groups and councillors, is delighted that the first round of the Sevenoaks Business Improvement District consultation has been completed.
Over the last four months it has tested whether there is support in principle from local businesses to create a Sevenoaks BID. Some objections were received, but many more were in favour. The majority of businesses registered wanted to see what a BID would deliver.
Now the next stage is to produce a Business Plan. The Team voted unanimously to do this, starting in January. Tony Clayton, Chair of the Town Team, said: “I am very encouraged that this is moving forward, as a BID can bring so many opportunities to enhance the town both for business and residents. “It will give local businesses a stronger voice in developing the town. This is the result of many conversations to build agreement on the important issues for Sevenoaks – but there are more people to ask. “Some BIDs concentrate on a town centre, an industrial area or tourism. In our case we are looking to help business succeed right across the Sevenoaks Town area.
“The first round of consultation produced a wide range of topics that businesses would like to see enhanced but there is an open door and we will welcome suggestions, from Sevenoaks business community, as well as those who work and live here.” For this next step, a volunteer Steering Group from all types of town businesses by geography and type, together with local interest groups, is being set up to develop the Plan. The Group will use suggestions put forward during the first consultation phase and make its own assessment of what will work for Sevenoaks enterprise, after looking at other successful town BIDs.
The Plan will identify actions which can best help local businesses grow, such as security improvements, making streets easier to walk, more events to raise footfall, support for new businesses, marketing Sevenoaks ‘offer’ to local residents, supporting training and recruitment.
The plan will be published and sent to all qualifying businesses – those with a rateable value over £15,000 except for schools, NHS buildings, charities and others before a ballot is held. If the answer is ‘Yes’ a non-profit company will be set up, led by businesses, to deliver the plan.
Businesses and residents are invited to send ideas to townteam@sevenoakstown.gov.uk
The Launch
The 2024 Sevenoaks Business Show provided the perfect opportunity to launch the Sevenoaks BID consultation when Town Team Chair, Tony Clayton introduced the subject and Ben Collins of British BIDs provided the details.
Awareness
It is important for all businesses in the BID area to be made aware of the BID proposal, so at the beginning of August, 773 explanatory letters with a brochure were sent to all Sevenoaks’ businesses.
Over the next few weeks there will be:
- a meeting with members of the Sevenoaks District Chamber of Commerce
- a series of social media posts and further notifications, with a reminder to complete the “Your Views” questionnaire on this site.
