COLNE’s newly formed Business Improvement District (BID) Board were inundated with enquiries and visitors to their Hallowe’en Gazebo throughout the day.

Braving the cold, BID Board Member, Grahame Wharton said: “I have given away so many flyers. People seem genuinely interested in what we are trying to achieve for the town.”

The BID Board took a pitch at Colne Town Council’s Hallowe’en Event to explain their aims, and also to provide Hallowe’en themed entertainment for children.

Peter Jagger, another BID Board member, commented: “Hundreds of people visited the gazebo to learn about us and how we plan to boost business in Colne over a five-year period. Many had already encountered us in the local press and on Social Media and wanted to learn more.”

BID Deputy Chairman, Emma Cornish said: “We are so glad we decided to give away flyers and their popularity shows how passionate Colners are about their town.”

Market research carried out with businesses within the BID area has identified four major areas that people believe are most crucial to boosting business in Colne. These are:
• Pride in Colne – improving the look of the town
• Promoting Colne – marketing what the town has to offer to the local area and beyond
• Partnership in Colne – working together to deal with issues swiftly and to develop bulk purchase schemes
• Protect Colne -working closely with the Police and other stakeholders to make the town safer with lower levels of crime

BID Chairman Stuart Wilson said: “This week we are working flat out finalising our operating agreement with Pendle Borough Council and preparing to recruit our BID Manager, so we can begin to implement our plans.”