John Hurley, who runs Hurley’s Hair Design in Bilston, has launched a campaign calling for traders in the town to vote against the continuation of its Business Improvement District (BID).
The Bilston BID, where traders agree to pay a levy on their business rates to fund improvements in the town, is up for renewal next year, and traders will be asked to vote on whether they want to extend it by another five-year term.
But Mr Hurley said The Against Bilston BID Alliance had 70 members, and would be stepping up its campaign urging businesses to vote against an extension of the scheme in the February ballot.
Mr Hurley said the scheme cost him £190 a year, which he did not consider to be good value for money.
He said the group was set up to voice concerns about the BID’s financial management, and lack of measurable results over its nine-year existence.
“The alliance has highlighted issues including mismanagement of levy funds, no clear evidence of increased footfall, a high turnover of five different managers, and decision-making largely behind closed doors,” he said.
“Members argue that Bilston BID has failed to deliver genuine improvements for the town or its traders.”
Mr Hurley also accused the BID of spreading scare tactics, telling business owners that government investment into the town would cease and that market stall rents would increase if the BID was not renewed.
“Businesses deserve honesty and accountability, and that is why we are urging all levy payers to vote ‘No’ in February,” he said.
Mr Hurley said on several occasions he had withheld payments to the scheme, leading to visits from bailiffs.
“I always pay the bailiffs, but I would rather spend the money on my staff, on giving them training,” he said.
Amy Whitehouse, manager of Bilston BID, said the organisation arranged the Christmas lights display, managed the CCTV cameras in the town, and provided security wardens who patrolled the streets.
“The market traders pay £50-£80 a year towards the BID, which is less than the cost of a cup of coffee a week,” she said.
She added that the Government had agreed to provide £20 million for improvements in Bilston over the next 10 years, and it was important to have representation to ensure it was spent in the town.
But Mr Hurley questioned the value of the CCTV system, saying police were regularly asking him to view his own camera footage, because crimes had not been caught on the BID system.
Chris Turner, who is secretary of the Bilston BID, said 70 per cent had voted in favour of the scheme at the previous two ballots, and expected strong support when it came for the BID to be renewed next year.