Business scheme would generate €1.5m boost for Dun Laoghaire

A BUSINESS management system would generate a

?¬1.5 boost for the Dun Laoghaire economy if adopted early next year.

Dun Laoghaire is one of the first towns in Ireland to introduce the radical initiative, which is legislated for under the 2006 Local Government Act.

The Business Improvement District (BID) scheme would see Dún Laoghaire businesses form a limited company, funded by themselves, to manage the town’s commercial affairs.

Dublin City Centre has also adopted the five-year scheme, which can only be legally established following a plebiscite by local business owners

If passed, BID will generate

?¬1.5 million to strengthen the Dún Laoghaire business sector over the next five years.

The Dún Laoghaire BID proposal has now been put before 805 businesses in the designated area to submit suggestions or comments on the proposed scheme in advance of the October 25th deadline. A vote will then follow in January.

If the majority of businesses vote in favour of BID, a Dún Laoghaire BID company will be incorporated as a non-profit limited company funded by a business levy.

The annual costs for two out of three of all 805 businesses within the BID area will be less than e200 per annum. The

‘levy’ is fully tax-deductible.

The proponents of BID include a number of Dún Laoghaire business owners who believe the model will radically transform the town’s fortunes for the better. They plan to use the funds generated to increase footfall; attract new business and retail to the town; negotiate serious cost savings for individual businesses through collaborative deals on insurance, waste collection, recycling, wireless broadband and other services; and tackle the issues of rates and traffic management.

The Dún Laoghaire BID will not be delivering any services that are currently being provided by the local authority. Businesses can submit feedback/comments on the BID proposal by sending an email to [email protected].

For full details on Dún Laoghaire BID visit the site www.dunlaoghairebid.ie