A number of High Wycombe businesses have joined together to write an open letter in support of HWBIDCo as they face a renewal bid.

Every five years town centre businesses get to vote in a renewal ballot with HWBIDCo hoping to be re-elected for a third term.

The organisation that represents hundreds of businesses in the town centre has already made great strides towards improving the town and has revealed its plan for Wycombe over the next five years. 

The plan focuses on tackling anti-social behaviour, making the town centre safer, greener and cleaner and making it more vibrant with even more events to attract shoppers. 

A BID (Business Improvement District) is a not-for-profit organisation funded by and working for levy-paying businesses within a defined area of a town or city centre.

There are now over 330 BIDs operating in the UK.

If businesses do not vote to keep High Wycombe BID, the BID company will cease to exist on September 30 and the BID’s projects, services and events will stop.

The letter has been signed by 17 local businesses who are in support of HWBIDCo to continue working in their name.

It reads: "We are writing in advance of the upcoming ballot relating to renewing the Business Improvement District for High Wycombe Town Centre.

"HWBIDCo is an enormous asset to the town but its hard work often goes under the radar so we would like to highlight the excellent work they do and encourage businesses in the catchment area to vote yes in the ballot next week.

"Events such as Frogfest, which has become a highlight of the High Wycombe calendar, is in no small part down to the hard work of the team at HWBIDCo.

"They are also responsible for brightening up the High Street, installing and maintaining over 750 hanging baskets, floral displays and planters throughout the town centre which brighten the area up.

"In addition, the organisation delivers annual litter picking and graffiti cleaning services to keep the town looking its best and supports street art projects including the hoarding in White Hart Street, The Chamelion on Collins House and The Brunel Shed Mural.

"The BID security team has also been instrumental in dealing with town centre anti-social behaviour incidents, making the town a safer place through its DISC app, Radio Scheme, Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes.

"These are just a few of the many projects that the BID has been responsible for and their work has paid off.

"Over the past few years, we have seen dramatic improvements to the town, with new bars and cafes opening and new stallholders on the High Street offering a wide variety of food and drink.

"We should also point out that HWBIDCo has secured over £400,000 of additional income from grants and other funding, all of which is invested back into the town centre to benefit both businesses and visitors.

"With another £1.5m expected to be brought in over the next few years, it’s vital that the organisation continues its valuable work.

"The hard work and dedication of the HWBIDCo team and the board of directors add a huge amount of value to the town, and we would urge businesses in the area to continue to support the organisation and help them to continue their work in making the town a vibrant place to live and work."

The letter was signed by business owners from McDonalds, Chandler Garvey, Eckardt Art Gallery, Wycombe Sound, Cerub PR, Vanilla Pod, The Tanning Shop, Sports Direct, Blacks, Superdrug, Collectibles R Us, Primark, La Koco Coffee Shop, M Glynn Builders, 25 High St, Ransford Stewart, Stewart Management & Planning Solutions Ltd and Accountants 247 High Wycombe.

The ballot runs until July 7 with results set to be announced on July 8.