Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement concerning the organisation’s links to the newly formed Carlisle Business Improvement District.
The chamber’s move follows a public meeting at which businesses voiced concern about the formation of the BID with some owners warning they will boycott paying the bills now arriving to fund the district.
The full statement says: “It appears that there are challenges around the Carlisle BID, and rumours circulating around our involvement. So we feel we must make our position clear.
“While we were part of the initial steering group, we are not currently part of the board.
“In the run-up to the vote we encouraged businesses to vote in the BID ballot, regardless of their voting preference.
“Our priority throughout was seeking strong engagement with the business community and for businesses to have their voices heard and views counted.
“We sincerely hope that the BID will prove to be the great opportunity it should be to help Carlisle flourish, and are keen to support that.
“However, we have had, and continue to have, concerns. Related to this, prior to the vote, we made clear to the BID steering group that we could not support the BID if there was not a commitment to open, transparent and fair procurement of all services.
“This includes business support but also the range of other services required by the BID. We are not currently in receipt of any funding to deliver business support for the BID, but do intend to bid when an opportunity arises.
“We have also been clear that the BID must at all times demonstrate good governance.”
