There's a little less than a week to go until we know the outcome of the ballot to renew Lowestoft Vision's mandate for another five years.
As many readers of the Lowestoft Journal are probably aware, Lowestoft Vision is a Business Improvement District (BID). We were set up in 2013 after an overwhelming vote by all businesses in the BID area and with the aim of making it a better place in which to do business.
Ballot papers were sent out to all of our businesses within the BID area in April by the Electoral Reform Society, the independent elections scrutineers.
To secure renewal, we need the approval in a ballot of over 50pc of those organisations in our BID area, both by weight of numbers and rateable value.
I know that turnout has been high and our team has been going round to businesses to remind every one of our levy payers to cast their vote before the May 24 deadline. The reception at 'the shop front' has certainly been very positive with a great deal of excitement about our business plan for the next five years, but we're not taking anything for granted.
Having been chairman of Lowestoft Vision since it was launched, I have seen at first-hand both the hard work and energy that has gone into delivering our many initiatives and crucially the relationships that have been built up with key partners in delivering these.
As a local businessman focussed on the bottom line, I am impressed with what has already been achieved. There is no doubt that Lowestoft Vision has made major strides in making the town centre more accessible, more appealing, more attractive and more secure.
Headline successes include the part-funding of a Police Community Support Officer to patrol our town, the effective use of security radios, free parking initiatives, the Discover Lowestoft initiative – including its great website and Facebook page and a series of great events including last year's 1940s weekend and incredibly successful annual Halloween parade and turtle and Freddie the Fish trails.
Lowestoft Vision is looking forward to delivering even more of these great projects and extra services – but only if businesses vote 'yes' to renewing the BID.
I really believe that Lowestoft Vision is making a major contribution to turning our great town around and I look forward to your support when the ballot papers are sent out.
So I would like to appeal to any BID business reading this column who hasn't yet voted to do so as soon as possible!
For further information about how Lowestoft Vision is changing the town centre for the better, please go to: www.lowestoftvision.co.uk
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