The HammersmithLondon Business Improvement District (BID) has been voted in for a third term.

The group was given the go ahead to continue for another five years following a ballot among businesses in the town centre .

It says the vote, which saw 72% of businesses in favour of it continuing from a turnout of 61%, is a strong seal of approval, and provides the group with a strong mandate to deliver further projects and improvements to the town centre until at least 2021.

The BID aims to improve business for firms based in the town centre. It has been in operation for 10 years and during that time has invested £7.4million into the area through the delivery of additional services and projects that have improved the working and trading environment.

These have included festive lights and Christmas tree, an ever expanding Summer Festival, a town centre ambassador , the Privilege discount card , extra police patrols and a dedicated CCTV operator , enhanced greening and a free recycling service.

In its third term the BID will invest a further £3.7million and continue to deliver and expand upon these successful and popular programmes by:

  • Expanding the events programme to draw people into the area
  • Promoting new shopping habits so that Hammersmith stays competitive
  • Embracing mobile technology such as the new Hammersmith App
  • Improving the carbon footprint through green projects and infrastructure
  • Ensuring Hammersmith’s safety through the award-winning Business Crime Partnership
  • Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility by forging relationships between businesses and charities

Director Patricia Bench said: “The BID would like to thank the business community for their encouragement and support and for giving us such a strong mandate to start our third term with.

“We are absolutely delighted with the result as it demonstrates that the BID has compiled a business plan that truly reflects the wants and needs for the area as decided by local businesses. It is also a testament to the amount of hard work the BID team put into engaging with Hammersmith’s businesses.”

The ballot, which ran from January 27 to February 25, was run independently by Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s Electoral Services.