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Belfast One Business Improvement District (BID) was declared open today, creating three new jobs.

The BID Company will deliver a five-year business plan which will aim to promote, enhance and support businesses in our capital city, through a series of projects worth up to £6 million over its five-year term.

High on the agenda for improvement will be a series of promotional campaigns to increase footfall and increase trade across all sectors. There will also be emphasis on reducing costs for businesses, for example, through more efficient recycling schemes, as well as the introduction of measures to improve safety and reduce crime in the City Centre.

Chris Suitor, Suitor Menswear and Chairman of Belfast One BID, said: “Today is the start of an exciting chapter for Belfast businesses and visitors alike.

“It marks the culmination of eighteen months of hard work from our task group and the beginning of the delivery of our business plan which will seek to improve Belfast City Centre as a place to do better business.

“I look forward to working with the BID group’s Managing Director, Clare Maguire, and the newly appointed staff members.”

Clare Maguire, Managing Director of the Belfast One BID, said today was a momentous day:

“I am delighted that we have reached this point in our journey and are now ready to see all of our plans come to fruition.

“The past six months have been extremely busy and alongside the BID Board members, we have already commenced our strategy to help us meet our objectives, and indeed have just employed two additional support staff who will begin their posts at the end of the month.”

In the last decade more than 200 BIDs have been established across the UK and Ireland including Newry and Ballymena.

Belfast’s Yes vote came into play on 30 October 2015, conducted by a confidential, postal BID Ballot which ran for 42 days in September and October. Organised by the independent Electoral Reform Services (ERS), the BID ballot papers were sent out to eligible voters in the City Centre BID area. 84% of Belfast businesses voted yes by number with 88% voting yes by rateable value.

Clare concluded: “We have a busy five years ahead of us, but we are committed to giving our locally run City Centre businesses a greater say in how Belfast is marketed, maintained and managed. The investment from local businesses will undoubtedly improve our area, contribute towards a more successful and profitable future and give Belfast an even greater competitive edge.”

For full details on the Belfast One business plan visit the website .