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Traders back seafront business improvement plan

BBC A row of restaurants and cafes near Roker beach in Sunderland. Their shop fronts are on the ground floors of modern two-storey houses. There is a long, curved stone bench across the narrow road opposite the restaurants. It is facing the sea. BBC
Local businesses voted in support of the partnership

A business improvement district will be launched at a city's seafront after being backed by traders.

Sunderland Seafront BID will begin its first term in May after a ballot in which almost 91% of votes were in favour.

It will be run by Sunderland BID, which has been operating in the city centre since 2014.

Chief executive Sharon Appleby said businesses had recognised the value the scheme could bring to an area.

In a BID area, all eligible business rate payers are charged a levy which is used to develop projects to benefit local businesses.

Sunderland City Council pledged to match the amount of money collected via the levy with a yearly grant.

Sharon Appleby at Sunderland seafront. She is standing in front of the beach and smiling at the camera. Her hair is shoulder-length an blonde and she is wearing glasses, a light-brown coat and a red top.
Ms Appleby will also be chief executive of the seafront BID

"We are absolutely thrilled that businesses in Roker and Seaburn have recognised the value that a BID can bring to the area," Ms Appleby said.

"They have shown that they have confidence in the benefits and that we can replicate the success that we have had in the city centre along our beautiful coastline."

Councillor Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and business said the scheme was "brilliant news for the seafront and the city".

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