Businesses in Fleet are set to benefit from stronger ties between the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
The two business-led organisations have agreed to co-operate on shared member priorities including economic development, lobbying to government and tackling workforce skills gaps.
Under a formal memorandum signed by BID and Chamber directors, the pair will work together to organise more networking and information-sharing events, signpost respective members to sources of business support, share the results of skills surveys and promote business involvement in local skills development.
Among the key benefits for Fleet BID levy payers will be the Chamber’s added involvement on policy responses and campaigns to help ensure their views are heard loud and clear by Hart District Council and other politicians and decision makers.
To support this activity, BID-nominated business owners will join two influential Chamber groups, the Rushmoor & Hart Business Strategy Group and the Planning & Transport Strategic Group.
BID Chair, Emma Molyneux said: “As we enter our third year we are seeing a clear need for businesses to have access to support and expertise and to be respresented in wider debates on issues affecting them. Hampshire Chamber has a strong track record of success in campaigning for businesses and formalising this partnership supports our joint aim of promoting the prosperity of Fleet.”
Hampshire Chamber Executive Chairman Ross McNally said: “We look forward to working more closely with the Fleet BID team for our members’ mutual benefit. Many Chamber members in the town are also BID levy payers and so there is a great deal of common ground.”
Founded in 2017, Fleet BID is a business-funded, not-for-profit organisation working on behalf of over 300 businesses in the town centre. Its aim is to deliver activities, campaigns and events that support residents, businesses, commuters, visitors and the overall local economy.
In its first two years, BID successes include the FleetWatch anti-crime scheme, the annual Business Excellence Awards, free parking initiatives, streetscene improvements and a procurement service lowering costs for levy payers on a range of business services.
