The Fuel Blog

POSTED BY: Martyn King - Monday 23rd January 2012

Two new members appointed to Plymouth Waterfront Partnership board

Representatives from two of Plymouth’s most high profile businesses have joined the board of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP).

Comron Rowe from Foot Anstey and Charlotte Malcolm from Sutton Harbour Group join the eight-strong board, chaired by Dr David Wheeler, ahead of a ballot in February which will ask local business to vote on the creation of a Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID).

Comron is a Partner at Foot Anstey, specialising in pensions law and is widely acknowledged as an expert in his field. Comron brings the full strength and legal acumen of Foot Anstey to the Board, providing financial and legal support to the PWP.

Comron Rowe said, “Foot Anstey is strongly in favour of the Waterfront BID. Plymouth plays an important part in the region's long term economic future and the city’s Waterfront has a unique opportunity, through match funding, to attract the level of investment it deserves given its potential to spearhead and attract more skilled jobs and visitors to the city. “I’m delighted to be part of the PWP Board working to support Waterfront businesses in making the most of this fantastic opportunity.”

Charlotte Malcolm, Commercial Marketing Manager at Sutton Harbour Group, brings to the board a wealth of marketing experience from across the private sector and in leading the communications for one of the Waterfront’s most prominent businesses knows what it takes to attract customers and drive interest in Plymouth’s unique offer.

Charlotte Malcolm said, “Communicating the pros and cons of a BID so that all businesses within the proposed boundary can make an informed choice, is of paramount importance. I am particularly pleased to be able to offer the Board my skills and knowledge in this area so we can share as much information as possible with the businesses who will be casting their vote in the confidential ballot in February."

“I’m excited to join the PWP Board at this significant time in the BID process. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of the team improving the Waterfront for residents, visitors and businesses.”

 A five-year, £6.2 million investment plan for the Waterfront has been drawn up by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP) and local businesses, designed to grow annual visitor spend by 25 per cent (£63 million) by 2020. The private sector-led initiative is designed to give local businesses much more control in the way the Waterfront is managed and promoted, with a focus on generating increased footfall, visitor spend and marketing the Waterfront as a regional and UK destination.

A ‘yes’ vote in the postal ballot, to be held from 01 February until 02 March, would see all businesses contributing through a BID Levy (based on rateable value) towards the funding of the BID - with a third of businesses paying up to £100 annually and half between £100 and £500.

A further £2 (£2.4 million in total) will be targeted in match-funding by PWP for every £1 contributed by Waterfront businesses.

On top of this, Plymouth City Council has confirmed it will support the initiative by ring-fencing £2.7 million of funding for services on the Waterfront for the full five years of a BID and also contributing £673,000 in match funding to the BID.

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