The Explore Suffolk BID led by Locus Management Consultants for Ipswich Central has failed.

Although the majority of the 154 votes cast were in favour, with 80 voting for and 74 against the proposal to establish a bid area, the aggregate rateable value of businesses voting against was greater by 11% of the 35.9% turnout and that was the key factor.

Returning Officer, Helen Pluck, chief executive for Ipswich Borough Council, confirmed in a public notice:

I hereby declare that the proposal to establish a BID district is not approved. A majority of the Business ratepayers in the proposed BID area who voted in the ballot voted in favour of the proposal, but the aggregate rateable value of those voting against was greater than that of those voting in favour.

See full official vote results here.

A number of businesses, and local authorities across the Explore Suffolk BID area, including Felixstowe, Ipswich, and much of Babergh expressed concerns and reservations about the BID.

Despite being run by Ipswich, the BID would have affected businesses in Babergh as it was within the official BID area. Those with a rateable value of more than £24,500 would have paid an extra 1.82% tax, some of which would have been used to finance the BID organisers and administrators.

Babergh District Councillor, and cabinet member for Economic Growth and Regeneration, said: "It is an interesting results and shall see what Locus and the central Ipswich BID do next.

"My view is that I could never really see the benefit to the majority of businesses on the Shotley peninsula, and indeed many in Babergh, paying an extra tax to support what is really an extension of the Ipswich BID."

A number of businesses, and local authorities across the Explore Suffolk BID area, including Felixstowe, Ipswich, and much of Babergh expressed concerns and reservations about the BID.

Council abstains on Explore Suffolk BID

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