'˜We need YES vote': Businesses decide on BID to generate Â£3m to promote east coast

Skegness risks being left behind other resorts with the support of funding generated by a Lincolnshire Coastal Destination BID. ANL-170203-113134001

Businesses across the district are now receiving ballot papers that could put them in control of generating Â£3million to promote the east coast over the next five years.

The Lincolnshire Coastal BID is urging them to ‘vote’ yes, or risk the coast being left behind as local authorities face cuts in their budgets.

Lisa Collins, Lincolnshire Coastal Destination BID Development Manager, addressed a meeting of Skegness Town Council on Wednesday. She urged anyone with a small business to vote ‘yes’ during this month’s ballot and said: “We already have a lot of support from big businesses such as Butlins, but we really need the small businesses to get behind this. With all the cuts in councils we cannot be complacent. If we miss out on this funding the coast risks being left behind other resorts.”

The money is generated by businesses paying a small increase in business rates. Mrs Collins said: “It will not be used to prop up struggling local authorities but for branding and marketing. Very early on we will be able to produce a calendar of events and join up ideas.”

Businesses urged to back bid to bring more people to coast near Skegness