THE Ilkley Business Improvement District Development Board are holding an information evening on Wednesday, May 1 at Banyan in Ilkley as part of the process of recruiting directors for the new BID company.

Volunteers are needed on the board, who will primarily be from levy paying businesses, from each business sector to ensure the group fairly represents the interests of all relevant parties.

It is anticipated that there will be around 12 to 16 people recruited to the board.

Mark Heppinstall from Stowe Family Law who has been chairman of the Development Board said: “After months of consultation with the businesses in central Ilkley, the time has now come to get this project off the ground and the directors of Ilkley BID Limited will be pivotal to the success of the scheme.

“Whilst some of the business owners who have been involved in the development of the BID would like to stay on the board, this is a decision that will be made by the levy payers at the first General Meeting.”

Anyone looking to get involved would ideally be able to commit a minimum of four to six hours per month and will be asked to complete a skills audit form. Due to his work commitments and young family, Mark is not intending to apply for the position of chairman of the newly formed board.

As such, the group will be looking to appoint a new chairperson within the first three months and anyone who would like to be involved at this level should make themselves known.

The event will run from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in the function room at Banyan on Brook Street, Ilkley and interested parties are requested to register either on Eventbrite – search Ilkley Business Improvement District, or by emailing info@ilkleybid.co.uk .

Ilkley BID will be operational from 1st June 2019 and will run for an initial term until 31st May 2024.

Further information can be found on the website www.ilkleybid.co.uk or by emailing info@ilkleybid.co.uk