Bizoh: The success of the first Weymouth BID

The Weymouth BID – a new idea?

A replica of George III's bathing machine
Weymouth seafront

While I was writing a post on the Weymouth BID for Bizoh, I was struck by the similarities between the BID and what happened in Weymouth over 200 years ago, when action was taken to improve the town, preparing the way for it to become the seaside resort of choice for King George III.

The current Weymouth BID

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a government-backed scheme which enables local businesses to generate money to spend on improving the local trading environment. It does this by a levy on non-domestic rates in the BID area and, once passed, has legal force.

The Weymouth BID aims to improve the local area by tackling such issues as improving visitor experience, increasing night-time security, improving information services and extending the holiday season.

The 1776 bid for a better Weymouth

Back in the 1770s, Weymouth’s governing corporation also wanted to improve the town’s facilities. They wanted to attract the growing tourist trade that was developing due to the seaside becoming fashionable, for both health and leisure.

In 1776, an Act of Parliament was passed enabling the corporation to levy a tax on owners and shopkeepers in the town in order to finance these improvements. Does this sound familiar?

Better cleanliness and security

The Act resulted in the paving and draining of Weymouth’s main streets and the installation of street lights, with huge fines against anyone who vandalised them. Taking animals on footpaths was prohibited and fines were levied against those who blocked the road unnecessarily. The Act also provided for watchmen to be appointed and measures were taken against the hazard of fire by forbidding the use of thatch. In short, the Act helped to make Weymouth a cleaner, safer place which was much more attractive to visitors.

The success of the first Weymouth BID

History tells us that the 1776 Act was a success. The Duke of Gloucester visited Weymouth and chose to build a house, Gloucester Lodge, on the seafront in 1780. He lent Gloucester Lodge to his brother George III in 1789 while he was convalescing from his first serious bout of mental incapacity, and George was so taken with Weymouth that he returned almost every year until 1805.

Future success

I hope that the success of the first Weymouth BID will encourage Weymouth to embrace the current proposals for a better, brighter town.

By Rachel Knowles