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Ilkley BID team announces new chair

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Mark Heppinstall from the Ilkley office of Stowe Family Law solicitors has been announced as the new chairman for the Ilkley BID Development Group.

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Mark is joined by Emma Lishman of Lishman’s of Ilkley who was appointed Vice Chair following a unanimous vote by the BID Development Board.

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Ilkley BID Development Board was formed in July 2018. The group was established to work towards the vote for a town centre BID (Business Improvement District).  If successful, the BID aims to give businesses in the town centre an opportunity to decide and direct decisions to improve the local economy.

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Working towards major events, projects and initiatives to improve trading conditions, increase turnover and reduce costs, as well as improving relations with public bodies, the BID will be funded by over 300 businesses in the town.  Mark Heppinstall commented: “This is an exciting time for Ilkley.  We are aware of the great strengths of the town and how we can build on the skills, passion and great offering we have here.  A BID for Ilkley would create vibrancy and vitality in the town, encouraging more people to visit, allowing us to coordinate business activity, direct spending; and enabling us, as a town, to influence decisions on important local issues such as parking, public events, town security and policing.”

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Mark Heppinstall lives locally and has worked in Ilkley for 2 ½ years.  He is married and has a little girl.  He joined Stowe Family Law Solicitors in 2016 and enjoys walking on Ilkley Moor.

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Emma Lishman joined the family business in 2015 where she has helped to develop the deli and well-known hot lunch counter, as well as the award-winning Yorkshire charcuterie arm of Lishman’s.  Since 2015 she has represented the business at a variety of events, festivals and markets across Yorkshire and beyond. Lishman’s supplies over 10 businesses in the town with its speciality produce.

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The Ilkley Development Board consists of members which include Steve Butler, Rachel Costello (Manager of Booths Supermarket), Sam Draper (Manager of Betty’s), Chris Gregory, Christine Henney (Dan’s Den), Mark Heppinstall, Stuart Hyde, Alison Kaye, Matt Lamont, Emma Lishman, Paul Mitchell, Paul North, Helen Rhodes, Lee Teal (Love Brownies), Ian White, Liam Wilton (Moin Moin Bakerei).

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Helen Rhodes, BID Development Manager, added “The pace is really picking up with the Ilkley BID.  This is proven to be a successful initiative with over 300 BIDS operating in the UK already.  It is a valuable opportunity to listen and act upon what local businesses really need to successfully operate and flourish in the town.”

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All commercial businesses within a defined area in Ilkley and a rateable value of £7000 or more will have the right to vote on whether the BID goes ahead and voting will run from 1 March - 28 March 2019.