Approximately 90 local businesses have refused to pay their Enniskillen BID levy despite being legally required to do so.
A total of 460 businesses in Enniskillen received their levy bills from the Council last year, following a majority vote in favour of implementing a Business Improvement District in Enniskillen.
Eighty per cent have paid and 20 per cent have not.
A pot of money has accumulated from the businesses that did pay the levy – which was calculated at 1.5 per cent of the rateable value of the business.
That money has paid for the 2017 Christmas lights and CCTV payments. It has also paid for a Christmas marketing campaign for Enniskillen and the roll out of the Enniskillen gift card. The Enniskillen gift card can only be redeemed in the 112 Enniskillen businesses which have currently registered for the gift card (other businesses are encouraged to register). A total of £28,500 worth of gift cards have been sold and £10,000 has been redeemed so far.
The BID levy must be paid under the Business Improvement District (NI) 2013 legislation and can be paid in instalments. Collection of the levy carries the same enforcement weight as collection of the non-domestic rates, therefore, non-payment will be pursued through the courts.
“We are pursuing those payments. They have a legal obligation to pay,” said BID Manager Noelle McAloon. “We recognise that it’s another bill for businesses and we are constantly talking to businesses to see what they think will work. We are encouraging businesses to become involved by joining the Board of Directors,” she said.
The Enniskillen BID annual general meeting (AGM) will take place in May. “A progress report and full financial reports will be available at this meeting,” commented Ms. McAloon, adding: “All BID members, who have paid their BID levy, can be nominated to become a Director and join the Enniskillen BID Board. This can be their chance to get involved and be a part of improving your town of Enniskillen.”
A marketing tender worth over £24,000 will close for applications next week. The latest marketing campaign will aim to promote the Enniskillen gift card, promote Enniskillen as a destination, encourage interaction between businesses within the BID area and create “positive awareness” of Enniskillen BID within the levy paying community.
In addition, monthly BID meetings will offer training for local levy payers on issues such as: drive your own future; business planning; building a cohesive and effective team and finance for owners and senior managers.
The Enniskillen BID Business plan predicts that £1.2 million BID levy income will be raised over a period of five years, based on a 97 per cent collection rate.