Holt BID organisers step down from their roles in town

The major organisers of LoveHolt and proponents of the Holt Business Improvement District (BID) scheme say they have stepped down due to the “disruption and conflict” caused by the BID proposal. 

Nigel Hadlow, operational lead, and Iain Wilson, voluntary lead, are to step away from their roles.

The Holt BID plan was met with strong opposition from many local business owners who believed it would be damaging to the town, pushing out smaller businesses who could not pay the proposed levy to help boost the town's economy.

Iain Wilson (Image: Newsquest)

In a statement on the Holt BID website, the pair said: “Nigel and I entered the BID campaign with a sincere and honest approach to help the trading community find a way to work together in a more effective way.

“We did not foresee the amount of disruption and conflict caused by the notion of the suggested move.

“With the shortfall in our ability to deliver the right amount of support, it is with regret that we will both step away from our roles within LoveHolt.

“We hope that this move might open the door to others in the community to step forward and continue to push LoveHolt forward or deliver the BID campaign in a more effective way or create their own structure to support the trading community going forward.

“Should nobody come forward, we will wind up Love Holtefforts in January 2025."

The website also says Martin Blackwell has agreed to support any BID efforts in the future.

It comes as tensions were running high in the town over the proposed BID scheme and the cancellation of the town's Christmas light switch-on.

Mr Hadlow was also chair of the lights committee but resigned after he said he received online abuse.

Nigel Hadlow (Right) (Image: Newsquest)

A BID plan works by getting businesses within a defined area to pay a fee to fund projects and services that aim to improve the district.

Business Improvement Districts were first introduced by the government in 2004.