Spalding BID’s £11k investment in hanging baskets

Hanging baskets will decorate parts of Spalding town centre thanks to an £11,000 investment from a business group - prompting some concern from traders.

Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) has agreed to fund the making up, watering, feeding and installation of 130 baskets around the town centre in its first major investment in the town since traders began to receive their bills in February.

But some of the traders have been told that the hanging baskets will be put up in Sheep Market, Hall Place and Market Place - so some businesses who are paying for the levy are missing out.

BID has sparked some controversy since its first bills - which were backdated to September despite only back office work happening in that time - with some firms in the area questioning the validity of the vote.

Craig Delaney, BID Board Member, said: “Whilst we know that hanging baskets alone aren’t going to change Spalding, they are an important initial step in brightening up the town and improving its appeal, whilst celebrating the area’s horticultural roots.

“As a group the BID Board is keen to hear more ideas and suggestions from all our local businesses who contribute to the BID.

“Nobody knows our town centre and the challenges and opportunities it is facing better than us as business owners, so please take the chance to speak to our new BID Manager, when she gets in touch, with any proposals that can return value to our local businesses and support and grow our trading environment.”

The committee states that a new BID manager is due to start in the coming weeks and the baskets are due to be installed shortly.

Julian Wheeler, of Welland Photo Services, says that businesses in The Crescent had funded their own baskets to ensure the area was looking good for Spalding Flower Parade.

Mr Wheeler - who has also questioned why the baskets are being made available now - said: “The traders don’t want to come across as negative about what is being done.

“Some traders will be left behind with no visible improvement to their own areas as everything will be carried ot in the centre of town. There has been no assurance about that money will be spent throughout the area.”

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