Businesses back improvement district in Surrey village

By Sam Pither

3 March 2023

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Image credit: Colin Smith / High Street, Cobham / CC BY-SA 2.0

Businesses in Cobham, Surrey, have voted to support a new business improvement district.

It is hoped the project will help to drive to more than £800,000 of new investment in the village across the next five years.

A majority of the business ratepayers in the proposed area supported the plan to set up a BID in Cobham, both by aggregate rateable value (95 per cent voting YES) and numbers voting (91 per cent voting YES) to set up a BID in Cobham.

Sarah Sharp, Manager of Waitrose in Cobham and the BID Task Group Chair said: “Thank you to the Cobham businesses for backing the BID proposal. We set out an inspiring and innovative business plan that builds on the commitment and passion we all have to make Cobham an even better place to do business in the future. We look forward to delivering for the village and the businesses in the BID area.”

Councillor Alistair Mann, Chairman of the Cobham Chamber of Commerce said: “The Chamber started the BID process to give the village the chance to build on the brilliant work of Chamber members and volunteers who have made Cobham such a great place to do business.

“I’d like to recognise all the hard work – and financial contributions - of Chamber Members over the years and look forward to supporting the launch of the Business Improvement District later this year.”

Councillor Robin Stephens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise for Local Economy said: “The BID result is great news for Cobham. We were pleased to back the businesses and Cobham Chamber of Commerce with funding to help develop the BID proposal as part of our work to ensure our town and village centres continue to thrive.

“The BID is a great example of how we work with our high streets to develop new ideas and sustainable sources of funding in partnership with our local areas. Thank you to everyone who voted - we look forward to working with the Cobham BID to ensure the village remains a great place to live, shop and work.”

By Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset.

A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise.

Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.