Five Year Plan

Looking forward – Aims and Objectives of Albion BID 2

The successful re-ballot provided a mandate for a further 5 years (2011 – 2016). Significantly, Albion BID 2  covers a substantially larger area than the first term BID  to accommodate the request for inclusion on the part of a large number of businesses previously located outside the area.

The Aims & Objectives of the associated 5 year plan can be distilled into three principal areas which are summarised as follows.

Safe & Secure (Security)

Building on the successes of the first term the BID Management Team will work with its partners to continue to reduce crime through an investment of some £627,500 in the following.

• Providing out of hours monitoring of CCTV cameras, including weekends and holidays with 24 hour recording.
• Providing increased out of hours patrols to act as a visible deterrent and to support the monitoring station.
• Planning a 3 year programme to maintain/upgrade existing cameras and provide additional wireless CCTV cameras to cover areas not currently under surveillance.
• Providing a secure out of hours key holder service to reduce the burden on company staff resident outside the area.
• Providing and fitting PIR lighting to buildings where lighting has been identified as a key issue for the prevention of crime.
• Providing a mobile phone text and email service to alert designated personnel in local businesses of any unusual activity.
• A private forum for BID members and other participating businesses to share information regarding security issues.  This will provide a point of contact for the security team and business watch and also enable all stakeholders to alert one another of current crime methods, issues and trends.

Better Place (Environment)

The quality of the environment  where business is carried out has a major impact on both the wellbeing of businesses operating within the BID area and on customers’ perception of the area as a desirable place with which to be associated. During the course of the second term the image of the area will be enhanced through

• The provision of street banners in key locations warning of the security presence as well as promoting the BID area.
• The organisation of health events to provide advice and screening with a view to improving the health of the workforce and helping to reduce absenteeism.
• Working with partners of the BID and the relevant authorities to carry out regular clean up campaigns and ensure adequate maintenance of the highways.

Better Business (Business Development)

The collective knowledge, expertise and skills of the businesses within the BID are substantial and it is vital that they are capitalised on, whether locally, nationally or internationally. Raising the profile and building the strongest possible local economy is key and, to this end, the BID will be investing £157,000 by

• Developing a 'Made in West Bromwich' brand, holding events and delivering strategic marketing campaigns to promote local businesses and their products.
• Working with partners to enhance national marketing campaigns and to promote the area as a prime business location.
• Identifying a range of business experts who will support and advise businesses with a view to them achieving diversity and growth.

Further details of the 5 year plan can be found within the prospectus issued for the purpose of the re-ballot in November 2010. To download this in pdf format please click here