A permanent board for the Warrington Business Improvement District (BID) has now been established following an election held last month.

Warrington BID levy payers were invited to attend the Pyramid, Palmyra Square on Tuesday 5th February to decide who would sit on the Executive Board and make decisions on behalf of the BID going forward.

A main objective when establishing the BID Board was to ensure that different sectors and industries within Warrington town centre were represented to give everyone involved within the defined area, a voice.  Following the vote Dawn Smyth, Store Manager of Primark in Golden Square, was chosen as the Chair of Warrington BID while Emma Hutchinson from Culture Warrington was named Vice Chair.

The rest of the Executive BID Board is made up of Greville Kelly, Jane Hough and Isabelle Smith from Groundwork who form the BID team, Ian Cox from Golden Square Shopping Centre, Ian Fitzsimons, owner of The Auction Rooms Bar and Acoustic Café, Marc Weall from Warrington Wolves, Neil Drum acting in an advisory capacity on behalf of Cheshire Police, Paul Blaney from Warrington Retail Market, Mark Walton from Skipton Building Society and Stephen Fitzsimons from Warrington & Co who is also acting in an advisory capacity only.

Stephen Nickson from Dats Holding, Cllr Dan Price from Warrington Council (advisory capacity), Andrew Hibbert from iSupply/Real 5 Networking, Lynne Bennett from The Gateway and Debbie Whatcroft from The Vet at Cockhedge Shopping Centre were also elected.

The board will now work together to achieve the aims and objectives set out in the BID’s 5-year business plan which includes marketing Warrington town centre as a destination to over 100,000 residents within a ten-mile radius of Warrington, increasing footfall through the promotion of a single brand for the town and the creation of a new business-led agenda to provide a voice for all business sectors across the town centre.

Business Improvement District Programmes Manager Jane Hough believes that Warrington BID now has a diverse, knowledgeable and proactive board which is perfectly placed to help drive the town forward.

“Looking at the new BID Executive Board for Warrington every base is covered when it comes to locations, sectors and interests. From the traditional high street and shopping centres to culture and sport, there are representatives from all walks of life which is a massive plus.

“Everyone has the best interests of Warrington at heart and I’m looking forward to seeing the town centre grow and develop over the first five years of the BID with these people at the helm.”

www.warringtonbid.co.uk