THE organisation responsible for supporting town centre businesses and hosting events in the main shopping district will close in a few weeks' time, it has been revealed.

And the move has sparked concerns for the future of the area as cash-strapped local authorities will now have to take on inSwindon BID's responsibilities from April.

The Business Improvement District is a not-for-profit company that works with businesses and councils to promote the town centre and attract investment to the area.

It brought regular markets to Wharf Green in April, organised festive lighting and activities over Christmas, and launched an Arts and Culture Trail earlier this month with creative murals, statues and sculptures, and light and mosaic installations.

Swindon Advertiser: inSwindon BID's offices are said to be in the Focal Point building on Fleet StreetinSwindon BID's offices are said to be in the Focal Point building on Fleet Street (Image: Dave Cox)

The BID is funded through levies from all rate-paying properties in the town centre which are not used as housing.

But new permitted planning development rights introduced by the government in August 2021 have - according to a notice seen by the Adver - led to a significant number of shop units being turned into accommodation.

This has led to a dramatic drop in the size of the levy which, along with the effects of a new rates review for 2023, would have placed the business "into an untenable position if the decision to cease trading had not been taken".

The BID's notice explained: "The company has taken the considered decision to cease its services and events for the BID area of Swindon town centre under advisement and careful thought to the present economic situation.

"[We] will stop trading whilst in a stable and solvent position.

"Concerns over the town centre will be the responsibility of Swindon Borough Council, South Swindon Parish Council, Wiltshire emergency services, stakeholders, and individual landlords.

"Any queries may be emailed to enquiries@inswindon.com until March 31 2023."

Swindon Advertiser: The Parade in Swindon.The Parade in Swindon. (Image: Dave Cox)

Swindon Labour Group leader Coun Jim Robbins is worried about the impact this would have on the management of the town centre.

He said: "This is really disappointing news and we are very concerned for what this is going to mean for the town centre, which is crying out for investment to make it a more attractive place for people to go.

"We understand the BID's reasons and they have done the best they can with the funding available.

"But this is going to put a huge amount of pressure on the parish council to deal with the town's main retail area, which is not supposed to be its main focus, and add another challenge for businesses.

"After the bad news from the Levelling Up funding bid and the latest budget meeting, the borough council might not be able to support the town centre as much as it would like as this government is not interested in funding local authorities properly."

Swindon Advertiser: A map of the town centre bearing inSwindon BID's logoA map of the town centre bearing inSwindon BID's logo (Image: Dave Cox)

Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said: "I’d like to thank Anita (Bellinger, inSwindon BID director) and all the team at inSwindon BID for their great work in promoting the town centre over the years.

“Swindon's town centre, like so many across the country, is having to adapt to ongoing changes in the retail industry, our shopping habits, the use of office space, and consumer spending power.

“As the town centre evolves to a mix of different uses, this has inevitably had an impact on inSwindon.

"Although I will be sad inSwindon will no longer be in place to support our great businesses, the town centre does have a bright future.

"A £100m programme of council-led investment is underway which is already beginning to stimulate private investment to boost the local economy.

“Following inSwindon's announcement and in light of the major changes taking place, we will be engaging with all our partners on a new approach to managing the town centre.”

Swindon Advertiser: Swindon town centreSwindon town centre (Image: Dave Cox)