CLEVEDON BID has been voted in for another five years.

The BID (business improvement district) is run as a private limited company and receives funding from all businesses within its area of influence that have rateable values of £5,000 or more.

A ballot was held on June 19 to determine whether or not the BID would end or continue for another five years. The postal ballot period ended at 5pm on Wednesday, July 19. The result was announced after the votes were counted yesterday (Thursday, July 20.)

Expressing their delight at the news, a spokesperson from Clevedon BID said: "We are delighted to announce that the Clevedon BID has been voted in for a further five years with 62% in favour (based on an aggregate score of the BID dual voting mechanism).

"In due course we look forward to communicating further our exciting vision to continue the improvements in this lovely town of ours that were outlined in our Five Year Business Plan and BID Proposal document.

"But for now, we wish to thank all those who supported the BID and we trust we will all be able to unite together to bring many more years of enhancements to Clevedon."

However, there were some that were not so happy about the news.

A spokesperson from the NO To Clevedon BID campaign group said: "The No campaign is understandably disappointed by the initial result of the ballot.

"We are however extremely appreciative of all the support we have received. The margin of yes vs no votes was relatively small at just 19 votes, testament to the large number of organisations that agreed with our campaign against the BID. 

"Given that the BID is able to geographically manipulate the area it operates in, to remove all threats towards it at the ballot, the BID gives itself the best chance of success.

"Aided by North Somerset Council who vote on behalf of Castlewood, single handedly allowing the BID to win on rateable value with just one vote alone. This is despite this supposedly being a 'business improvement district'.

"We are now proactively working on an appeal to have the result of the ballot declared void, and are quite prepared to challenge the BID in court if necessary. Our campaign to bring Clevedon BID to an end does not stop here."