Kieran and Norma Murphy of Murphy’s on the Green in Strabame supporting BID
THE owners of Strabane bar and restaurant Murphy’s on the Green have given their backing to the Business Improvement District (BID) for Strabane.
Kieran and Norma Murphy from Murphy’s on the Green, believe the BID presents them and other businesses in the town with a huge opportunity to bring about prosperity for Strabane town.
They are one of a number of small local business owners who are supportive of the BID and hoping to reap the benefits of the scheme, once it is implemented.
Encouraging other businesses in Strabane to get on board and help secure the BID by voting in favour of the project by April 21, they say it will greatly benefit the town and help give small businesses like theirs a real say in the future development of the town and wider area.
Kieran Murphy explains why he is supportive of the BID.
“Like all small businesses in Strabane we are very much aware of the economic issues facing small towns across the region and are very keen to look at new ways of developing the town and working towards a new future.
“We feel that the BID provides the perfect opportunity for us to do just that and for that reason we will be voting YES on 21 April.
“We are a family run public house and restaurant located in the Bowling Green area of the town.
“We strive to provide a quality service to our customers and feel that the BID will allow us to improve our services by greater co-operation with the Council and other businesses in the town.”
Norma Murphy added that she is very keen to see investment in Strabane and that by working with other businesses in the town, she hopes they can achieve great things.
“We all want what is best for Strabane. We want to see enhanced services and more visitors coming to the town and we feel that by working collectively sharing ideas and making key decisions we can secure our future.
“A vote Yes on 21 April is a vote for Strabane’s future and we are proud to be behind this initiative.”
Catherine Collins, Business Improvement District (BID) Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council says that through the BID, businesses in Strabane will be able to tackle specific local issues and work collectively to enhance business opportunities and attract more visitors and shoppers to our town.
It will put businesses in the driving seat to make real positive change.
If voted through the BID will be financed and led by the business community to invest in improvements for the benefit of Strabane town centre. BID members will be encouraged to work together, to share ideas and get support from one another to develop an enhanced business model for Strabane.
Ballot papers and copies of the final business plan have been distributed in the past number of weeks with the postal ballot scheduled to close on Thursday, April 21.
The vote will be counted and announced on 22nd April. Local businesses across the town are being encouraged to give the BID their support and help make real change for Strabane.
If the vote is carried by a simple majority (50% or more) of both the number of properties and the rateable value, a yes vote will be declared and the BID will become operational.
In the event of a yes vote, all eligible businesses in the BID area must pay the levy, however they voted in the ballot and even if they choose not to vote.
Businesses looking for more information about the BID are urged to contact Catherine Collins –[email protected] or [email protected]
More information on the project is also available at www.bidinstrabane.com
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