Co-operation and having a united cause is what has contributed to the success story of KIPPA the Kimpton Industrial Park Proprietors Association in achieving BID status
This followed funding from the London Development Agency through their Estates Excellence South London Programme (EESLP) which was managed by SOLOMAN on their behalf as part of a two year programme to establish BIDs on Industrial Estates.
KIPPA has the distinction in recent history of being the first organisation in the
London Borough of Sutton, to organise themselves into a Business Improvement/ District (BID). As a result of this they have received a further grant from the London
Development Agency (LDA) to assist with issues identified for improvement.
A Business Improvement District is a precisely defined geographical area within which the businesses have voted to invest collectively (via a BID levy ) in local improvements to enhance their trading environment.
BIDs do not affect the level or quality of service provided by the local authority to the area. A BID is initiated, financed and led by the commercial sector, providing additional or improved services as identified and requested by local businesses, to the baseline services provided by the local authority in that area.
The ballot for the BID closed on February 4th after an 18-month consultation and
88% of the 51 companies in the industrial park supported the proposal. Over the next five years, £40,000.00 will be spent improving the security of the park through installing additional CCTV cameras to identify the number plates of all the vehicles using the estate and introduce regular security patrols.
Paul Martin, Chief Executive of Sutton Council, commended the Association on their initiative and said:
"This is great news for Kimpton Park and I'm hugely impressed that local firms have taken this bold step during these difficult economic times. The BID will give firms greater control of their own futures, with the ability to influence future development and create a better trading environment around the park."
Chairman of KIPPA and Finance Director of Design Plan Lighting, Michael Cumper thanked the LDA for the funds. "It is very gratifying that the work in which KIPPA have been involved for the improvement of our industrial area has been recognised and I take this as confirmation that the businesses value that work and wish it to continue. SOLOMAN is responsible for dispensing the funds from the LDA and also came for praise for their involvement in the project.
High praise also went out to Sutton Council and in particular Graham Willlins, the Council's representative who was instrumental in co-ordinating the project.
Mr. Cumper further commented that "Businesses want to be able to provide their goods and services as efficiently as possible to enable them to keep and attract customers. This in turn leads to employment, much of it local", to which parliamentary representative for Sutton and Cheam, Paul Burstow concurred.
Mr. Cumper also mentioned that it was investigating working with the Sutton Chamber of Commerce, an organisation that had supported KIPPA's efforts.
This augurs well as KIPPA is working on green projects such as waste control, recycling initiatives and green travel, areas that falls under the Chamber’s activities in partnership with other council departments and government agencies.
As an organisation, KIPPA has also been lobbying for better access in and out of Kimpton Park, to the benefit of the businesses in the park, their customers, suppliers and employees. To this end, a six month trial of a restricted access onto the estate has now been lifted. Transport for London has also agreed to install two lanes to exit out of Kimpton Park onto the 217 is presently being undertaken. KIPPA's other plans include lobbying to get a bus service for the estate and the London Borough of Sutton have agreed to install better signage for the park.
Ends.
Further details: Anthea Lashley-Small - 0208-641-8496 /0796 074 5557
Email: anthea@clavelrowepr.com