As the money available to councils to spend on items such as beach cleaning, lifeguards and tourism is tightened, so is the need for new forms of funding to be sought.
In an area where 28% of the jobs are in tourism, having these services on the Isle of Wight scrapped is just not an option.
Next week, members of the Isle of Wight council executive will be considering plans to introduce what’s called a Destination Business Improvement District (D-BID) on the Isle of Wight.
Annual levy for tourism businesses
Briefly, the idea is that those businesses who significantly derive their income from tourism would be expected to pay an annual levy.
This will help find the services vital to ensuring the Isle of Wight is chosen by holiday-makers over our rivals on the mainland or abroad.
The D-BID proposition
Papers for the meeting being held on 4th August explain,
This paper seeks approval to support and work in partnership with Visit Isle of Wight in progressing a D-BID proposition which would, if successful, provide sustainable long term funding from the private sector of around £800,000 a year for tourism marketing and public realm enhancement.
This could include beach cleaning, blue flag beaches, lifeguards, town centre and wider environmental improvements which would be in addition to the council’s current service provision and statutory responsibilities.
Outcome of feasibility study
Visit Isle of Wight have already invested £10,000 by carrying out a feasibility study.
The outcome of the study has revealed the D-BID proposition could raise £800,000 per annum for five years (£4.5million) and that contributions would start at somewhere around £200.
The £800K could be roughly split between
- An annual £500,000 destination marketing campaign to ensure the Island can compete against other UK resorts (this will include events development such as the recent Pearl Izumi cycling event in Ryde).
- £200,000 for beach cleaning, reinstating blue flag status, lifeguards and wider public realm improvements including town centres.
- A £100,000 skills development and business support package for levy paying businesses.
The detail
Full details can be found in the paper below. Click on the full screen icon to see a larger version.
“There are a number of D-BIDs in operation in the country however the Isle of Wight will be the first county-wide bid”
Image: © Visit Isle of Wight
