The Bangor Chamber of Commerce has formally withdrawn its support for a planned Business Improvement District (BID) in the city centre. Chamber members voted unanimously against the scheme, which would have imposed an additional levy on local businesses already paying commercial rates.

The proposed BID, a partnership of businesses aimed at funding projects to boost footfall and revenue, had secured £80,000 in backing from the Department for Communities and Ards and North Down Borough Council. A steering group was established and a ballot carried out earlier this year indicated 67% support among more than 10% of the 500 eligible businesses surveyed. However, the Chamber disputed that this reflected broad backing, stating that many in the business community held significant concerns.

In a statement, the Chamber said it recognised the efforts of those developing the proposal and shared the ambition to see Bangor prosper, but concluded the timing was not right. It pointed to increasing operational and employment costs, plus ongoing economic uncertainty, as factors making an extra levy unacceptable.

The Chamber emphasised its longstanding campaign to reduce commercial rates and the cost of doing business. Supporting a mandatory BID levy, it argued, would contradict that position. Instead, the priority should be to lessen financial burdens and create conditions for investment and job growth, the Chamber said.

The BID was intended to cover streets including Main Street, High Street, Quay Street and Hamilton Road, as well as areas near Ward Park and Castle Park. The Chamber noted that Bangor is entering a period of regeneration with transformational projects underway, but maintained that immediate focus must be on lowering costs for businesses.