Newry BID appeal launched ahead of voting date

Newry Business Improvement District (BID) has formally launched its revote campaign, to ask city centre businesses to vote on whether the BID should continue for a further five-year term until 2031.

The revote is scheduled to take place next month, with ballot papers issued and administered by Civica Election Services on behalf of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, in line with BID legislation.

Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager, Christine McElvanna, Vice-Chair of the Newry BID Board, and members of the Newry business community.

placeholder image — Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager, Christine McElvanna, Vice-Chair of the Newry BID Board, and members of the Newry business community.

Since its establishment in 2016, Newry BID has delivered a wide-ranging programme of activities, focused on marketing the city, supporting local businesses, and improving safety and cleanliness. It also represents the interests of the business community on key issues such as rates, parking, flooding and regeneration.

Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager, said: “The revote is an important moment for the business community. It gives businesses the opportunity to decide whether they want the BID to continue and to build on the work delivered over the past 10 years. If the outcome is ‘no’, the BID would cease to exist with immediate effect.

“Our focus over the coming weeks is on providing clear, factual information on what the BID has delivered, what businesses have told us they want, and how the BID operates. Ultimately, it is for businesses to decide whether the BID continues to represent value for money and a strong collective voice for Newry city centre.”

The revote proposal sets out its priorities for the next term, shaped by business feedback. These reflect ongoing challenges facing the city centre, including rising costs, changes in consumer behaviour, safety, infrastructure and flood resilience.

Peter Murray, Chair of Newry BID, said: “Newry BID exists to support businesses and to advocate for the city centre at a time of real change. The revote allows businesses to have their say on whether they want that collective approach to continue.

“Over the past term, the BID has demonstrated its ability to be agile, to respond to crises, such as Covid and flooding, and to deliver practical support alongside long-term lobbying. We would encourage all eligible businesses to engage with the revote information and to use their voice to vote ‘Yes’.”

Further information on the revote is available at newry.com.