Camilla DelMaestro says ‘no’ to the BID

A BUSINESS group in charge of a controversial levy has been accused of tilting a vote on the future of the scheme by remov­ing smaller businesses from the ballot.

The Hampstead BID (Business Improvement District) must win an election later this year if it wants to stay in existence, but has seen “no” posters emerge in shop windows ahead of the referendum.

Rebels have challenged what they get in return for the compulsory levy and the landlord of the King William IV pub has already been taken to court for refusing to pay.

In its new “business plan for 2021-2026”, the BID said any business with a rateable value of £35,000 or less would no longer have to pay, and that charities and state schools would be exempt. Keats Practice NHS GP surgery would still be liable to pay the annual fee, however.

Fifty-five businesses will now not be eligible, but at the same time will lose their right to take part in the vote. Opponents say this serves to remove the “no” vote threat from smaller, independent shops challenging the BID while making the scheme the preserve of big business and corporations.

Camilla DelMaestro, who runs jewellery shop DelMaestro by Camilla in Heath Street, now won’t get the chance to vote against the BID this summer.

She said: “It’s very divisive of them. It’s almost as if they’ve done it because they know the independent businesses then won’t get a say, and can’t vote against it.”

She added: “It’s going to be bigger businesses making decisions for the smaller ones.

“It’s so not Hampstead, which is all about independent businesses and what the BID was brought in to help in the first place. If anything for me, it’ll make me campaign even harder, because they’ve tried to take our voice away.”

The BID, one of several schemes of its kind, was set up to raise money for improvements that would entice shoppers to the high street. But those opposed say there has not been value for money.

The quarterly magazine Hampstead Village Voice, which has been a long-term critic of the BID, printed a pull-out poster urging firms to vote no.

The result is expected to be close, although the no campaign believes it will be hampered by the changing of the electorate. BID manager Marcos Gold said smaller businesses could voluntarily sign up to the BID after the event, in order to stand for its board – but they couldn’t register beforehand to vote.

He denied that the changes had been set up to help its re-election chances.

“There’s an assumption that those bigger businesses will be in favour, but it’s a decision that’s up to them,” he said.

”It’s about putting a plan together for businesses in Hampstead and responding to concerns.”

The BID said that if voted back in, it will spend £974,500 on marketing, environment and lights, the streetscape and ways for businesses to work together more.