Pendle News Room

This is the outcome following a four week ballot which saw a majority of businesses in the boundary area voting for the creation of a Colne BID.

This means they can raise their own funds to strengthen the town’s economy by establishing it as a great place to shop, socialise and do business.

The number of votes cast in favour of a BID was 87, or 74% of voters, and £910,000, or 62%, of the rateable value of votes cast.

The total number of votes cast in the ballot was 117.

The BID was led by a steering group made up of the town’s businesses and supported by Colne Town Council and Pendle Council.

Councillor Paul White, Leader of the Council, said: “This is fantastic news!

“Colne is a thriving town and creating a BID will make the most of its potential, building on its strong customer loyalty and specialist shops and services.

“It’s a great opportunity for Colne to boost what it’s already good at and I’m really excited about what the town will achieve.”

Grahame Wharton of Grahame’s Poultry is Chair of Colne Town Centre Forum and a member of the steering group.

He said: “I’m delighted that businesses voted yes.

“Creating a Business Improvement District is great news for the town and means we can bring funding into Colne and invest it where it will make a real difference.

“Businesses in the BID area will be invited to get involved as the BID is implemented.”

Dennis Mendoros, OBE DL, Chairman of Pendle Vision Board and President of Mendor Enterprises, said: “Pendle Vision Board congratulates Colne and its business community for undertaking this initiative and we wish them continued success. 

“Colne is a significant economic centre for Pendle with a strong business partnership - this will be the catalyst for developing new business activities.”

Businesses had their say about what they’d like the Colne BID to look like and four overall priorities were identified.

• Build an effective partnership in Colne between businesses, organisations and local councils
• Take pride in Colne by maintaining a bright, attractive town that customers want to visit and businesses will want to be in
• Market and promote Colne as an attractive hill town, with a distinctive offer of shops, markets and events as well as some of the best entertainment, leisure and recreation
• Protect Colne as a safe and welcoming place to be, where shoppers, visitors and workers can feel relaxed and enjoy themselves during the day and in the evening.

These priorities are now part of the BID work programme which will be implemented on Monday 1 October and will run for five years.

More information about the results is available at www.pendle.gov.uk/business