THE boss of Beales says he held off paying his levy to Poole’s Business Improvement District (BID) “until the last moment” because he thinks the body is not providing value for money.

He spoke out after the Daily Echo revealed that BCP Council obtained 79 court orders to collect more than £40,000 from businesses which had not paid their dues to fund the organisation’s work.

BIDs are funded by a levy which is collected by councils and based on the rateable value of the businesses in their area.

Businesses vote to set up a BID and to renew its mandate at five-year intervals.

Mr Brown, who led the reopening of the Beales store at Poole’s Dolphin Centre after the first lockdown, said he did not pay until he received a court summons.

“I withheld mine until the last moment because I don’t think we’re getting value for money,” he said.

“I was withholding our £6,800 because we weren’t open all year and they already received a huge amount of financial help.

“I was disappointed in how much they were charging given the amount of grant they’ve received and their cost reductions.”

He said the majority of the 79 summonses would have been issued to small, independent businesses, and he accused the BID of being “unsympathetic” to their difficulties.

Mr Brown, a past chairman of Bournemouth Town Centre BID, revealed that he voted against renewing Poole BID’s mandate earlier this year.

The BID won 73 per cent support in that ballot, but only 34 per cent of eligible businesses voted.

Jacqui Rock from Poole BID said: “We understand how hard these last two years have been for many of our levy-payers, particularly those in retail, hospitality and catering.

“As a BID we reduced the levy payment by 25 per cent in the year ending in June and some businesses have been offered easy payment options.

“Our work has continued right through the pandemic and we have secured grants that have enabled us to do more for the area. Amongst the things we have funded include CSAS officers who patrol the town and help keep the community safe.

“Since April this year we have funded or part-funded flags and bunting in the high street, markets, music, festivals and events, street cleaning, flowers, Covid test kit distribution and social-distance safety flooring.

“We have also helped fund the Christmas decorations and trees, and the official Christmas lights switch-on brought in huge numbers of people.

“Levy-payers voted in May to fund the BID for another five years and we will work with our partners to ensure that Poole is as successful as it can be.”