Team London Bridge business improvement district wins second term

It is five years since firms in the area first voted to make contributions towards a fund which would pay for extra local services and projects.

London Bridge BID (later renamed as Team London Bridge) was set up as an independent, not-for-profit, business-led organisation.

In July Team London Bridge unveiled its manifesto for a second five-year term to run from April 2011.

Between 1 October and 4 November 53 per cent of eligible businesses voted in the BID renewal ballot. Of those, 77 per cent were in favour, up from 72 per cent in the original vote.

In 2005, 158 businesses voted compared to 222 this time. Turnout improved marginally from 50 per cent five years ago to 53 per cent, reflecting the larger number of businesses now operating in the area.

The BID's activities over the past five years include include regeneration projects, extra local police patrols, a waste recycling scheme, area promotion, a loyalty scheme to encourage use of local shops and services, a community grants scheme for youth projects, extra street cleaning and an events and networking programme.

"The team and board have worked hard in our initial term and the successful result of our ballot is a clear indication that businesses are confident we can continue to deliver successful projects and services within the London Bridge area," says Nadia Broccardo, executive director of Team London Bridge.

Neighbouring business improvement district Better Bankside won a second term earlier this year whilst Waterloo Quarter BID has just launched its renewal campaign.