Love Drogheda BID-What is a Business Improvement District (BID)?
A Business Improvement District, or BID, is a business-led and business funded body formed to improve a commercial area. In Ireland, BIDs are legislated for by the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2006. The Act facilitates the setting up of a Business Improvement District by BID proposers(usually a group of ratepayers) in an area and the obligations and requirements of the rating authority.
Under the Act all ratepayers in the proposed area have an opportunity to vote for or against establishing the BID. Once established, the BID runs for 5 years at a time after which a plebiscite is held to renew it for a further 5 years.
A BID levy is included in the proposal. This is an additional amount of money that is collected by the local authority from ratepayers. The BID levy funds are then transferred to the BID company for use (as detailed in its proposal document) on the projects and actions outlined in the proposal. BID levy funds are ringfenced for exclusive use in the BID area.
Once voted to be established by the ratepayers, a BID is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. If the BID proposal is successful a permanent Board will be elected with 12 members, two thirds of which must be ratepayers or representatives of ratepayers. Two Board members are added from the local authority, one being an executive the other a councillor. In the case of Love Drogheda BID, the relevant authority is Louth County Council. The Board of Directors are responsible for the governance and management of the BID company. Love Drogheda BID also employs two permanent members of staff, the CEO and an administrator.
Love Drogheda is the BID in Drogheda, it was first established in 2019 by a group of ratepayers and voted to be put in situ for a term of 5 years by the ratepayers of Drogheda. Some of the benefits of Love Drogheda BID to the ratepayers of Drogheda include:
· A dedicated group made up of and representing the ratepayers of Drogheda.
· Local businesses decide and direct what they want for the area.
· Businesses are represented and have a voice in issues affecting the area.
· BID levy money is ringfenced for exclusive use in the BID area (ie levy paid by businesses in Drogheda can only be used for improvements to Drogheda.)
· Not-for-profit business whose governance is sourced from the businesses in the area that it represents. You-the ratepayers of Drogheda-are Love Drogheda BID.
· Enhanced marketing and promotion
· Grant applications and additional funding can be sourced by the BID to support BID project funding.
Since its establishment in 2019, Love Drogheda BID has achieved or supported projects such as;
· A Love Drogheda Gift Card-a shop local program that all businesses in the BID area can partake in – over 250 members, €600,000 in sales and €500,000 redemptions thus far
· Flower Grant-support given for flowering of businesses to improve the town’s aesthetics. Over €30,000 granted in 5 years
· Festoon lighting along the north and south quays.
· Development of 9 parklets in the town centre
· Tree Light wrapping to increase the feeling of safety in West Street and improve aesthetics.
· Commuter Surveys in 2020, 2021, 2022 Pre, mid and post Covid. This information has been shared widely with business community, local authority and regional bodies.
· Engagement with An Gardai for the development of See Something Say Something Text Alert system.
· Engagement with An Gardai regarding anti social behaviour and increased beats on the street.
· Street cleaning initiatives with partners in Louth County Council, Tús, Drogheda TidyTowns and Chamber of Commerce. Targeted actions across a range of areas.
· Support businesses with response to COVID 19, engagement with National organisations, advocating for business re-opening, tax warehousing of debt, COVID business supports schemes, active shop local messaging, engagement with local suppliers and promoting same to businesses re signage. Re-opening protocols, support for stay and spend and active promotion of local business directory and positive promotional videos.
· Development of multi channel social presence focused on marketing and promoting Drogheda as a great place to live, work and shop.
· Submissions and active engagement made on behalf of the business community to Local, Regional and National for NTA Travel Plan, Active Travel, County Development Plans, Joint Local Area Plan, Tourism orientation plan and signage, Westgate Vision.
· Lú Festival of Light-partnered with Louth County Council and Failte Ireland to deliver a unique, tourism driven festival centred in pride of place.
· DRAWDA Murals-partnered with Droichead Arts Centre and the Arts Council to deliver large-scale murals telling local stories.
· Christmas Lights-enhanced Christmas lights and an annual family-oriented switch-on event. Spent over €200,000 in 4.5 years
· Online promotion- Dedicated in-house monitored BID website and Social media channels focusing on positive promotion of Drogheda and spotlight Drogheda businesses.
· Funding applications-funding applied for from a variety of bodies to support BID funds and add further projects.
· IBAL-partnered with TUS, Drogheda Chamber and Louth County Council to respond to IBAL litter reports and make improvements to the town.
· Communication-dedicated office that communicated with the business community regularly. (newsletter, grants, upcoming events or business information.)
· Lobbying and Engagement-lobbying, engaging with and writing submissions to public bodies. (for example: Submissions made on Development Plans, extended DART services to Drogheda, support for the Joint Urban Area Plan and Boyne Greenway extension.)
· Letters of Support-for example for the establishment of a Night-Time Economy Advisor for Drogheda. Employed August 2023
· Letter of support and constant advocate for anew tourism officer for the town. Employed Jan 2024
· Town Metrics-Footfall reports, business surveys, commuter surveys, reports available to all BID members
· Ambassador-working with Failte Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East and Discover Boyne Valley as an ambassador for Drogheda’s tourism. Established a Drogheda Tourism Cluster, a dedicated group of tourism industry representatives who collaborate to improve and promote Drogheda’s tourism offering, supported by Failte Ireland.
. Purple Flag award-working to promote Drogheda's Evening and Night-time economy.
· Festivals and Events-supported/established festivals including St Patrick’s Day parade and festival, Drogheda Comedy Festival, Boyne Valley Trails Walking festival, Boyne Valley International Film Festival, Lú Festival of Light, Summer Family fun series, Boyne 10K, Sean Corcoran series, Boyne Trad Fest, Mythical Midsummer Festival, Drogheda Arts Festival and more.
Love Drogheda BID aims to to further develop these projects and more as outlined in our Love Drogheda BID proposal 2025-2029.
