What is Okehampton BID
What is Okehampton BID
WHAT IS BID
MEET THE TEAM
THE BID AREA
BIDS are not for profit partnerships in which the local businesses have voted to collectively invest to improve the environment of the local trading area. BIDs provide additional services to businesses that are not covered by standard business rates.
The Okehampton BID gives local businesses the power to `raise funds locally to be spent locally’ on improving their trading environment.
- The BID will bring £650,000 investment into the town over the next 5 years to deliver additional services and initiatives that support and promote the area as a destination and drive a prosperous local economy
- It will be managed by a BID Board to be made up of local representatives in a voluntary capacity to provide strategic guidance and financial management of the BID levy
- The BID Board and project manager will liaise with businesses to ensure projects in the business plan are developed and delivered and progress is communicated
The BID’s vision is to make Okehampton a thriving, connected and welcoming place to live, work and visit – where businesses success, the community prospers, and the town’s unique character is celebrated and shared.
In the 2024-2029 Business Plan the BID committed to three key pillars that will guide it’s work, Marketing & Promotion, Business Support & Collaboration and Transport & Access.
Marketing & Promotion
The BID will develop town branding and deliver projects that will further market and promote the town to residents and visitors as a welcoming place to live, work and visit as well as raising business to business awareness and collaboration.
Business Support & Collaboration
The BID will work to bring businesses together and ensure levy-paying businesses see and feel the benefit of the BID by delivering clear projects, activities and events whilst encouraging active participation.
Transport & Access
The BID will work together with the local authorities to tackle some of the challenges posed by the town’s growth, such as traffic congestion and parking and will help people to travel around more easily and sustainably.
Strategic planning for 2026-2027 has led the BID to identify Events and Governance as additional pillars by which to work.
Events
The town has a lot of community projects that deliver events and the Christmas Lights. The BID have become custodians of the Christmas Lights and will build upon past successes to support and deliver events that bring benefit to the town’s businesses, such as Edwardian Evening.
Governance
The BID will work to build an effective management team, establish effective two-way communication with BID Members as well as facilitate stronger communication channels between BID Members and local authorities.
BIDs first came to the UK in 2005, there are now over 330 investing over £150 million in their locations.
They are created by, and for, businesses. They succeed because they are focussed, entrepreneurial and cost-efficient – providing a powerful and fast response to address ever- changing business need.
They do not replace local authority or other statutory service providers but provide additional resources. Funded by a small levy, they are first created through a ballot amongst participating businesses. Each BID has a maximum term of 5-years before the need to return to the electorate to be renewed.
As evidence of the positive effect of BIDs in the locations where they have been developed and on the businesses that operate there, over 90% are renewed with increased majorities.
Meet the Team!
Board of Directors
Mike Jolley
Mike Jolley I am Operations Director of Forthglade Foods based in Dartmoor View. I have 25 years’ experience in manufacturing mainly in the food & beverage sector working for both large multi-national firms and smaller family business. I also have charity experience co-founding charities which are still doing amazing things in Suffolk and Bristol. Having worked abroad and relocated my family around the UK, I have enjoyed living in Devon for the past 4-years. I have volunteered to be part of the BID board because at Forthglade we believe in supporting local and see the BID as an opportunity for Okehampton businesses to come together and find the things that can create mutual benefit. If this BID can create opportunity for all in Okehampton I believe this is something worth investing time and effort into.
Dee Gill
I’m the Managing Director of Business Information Point (BIP), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting businesses across the South West. With over 24 years of experience in the business support sector—including a decade in senior leadership—I’ve developed deep expertise in rural economic development and navigating a wide range of funding streams. At BIP, we’ve proudly helped thousands of individuals start and grow their businesses by offering free, high-quality advice and support. I’m passionate about ensuring this kind of accessible, meaningful support continues to be available to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the region. Born, raised, and settled with my family in Devon, I’ve worked in Okehampton for 24 years and am deeply committed to the town’s growth and potential as a vibrant place to live, work, and thrive. BIP’s mission aligns closely with the goals of Okehampton BID, and I’ve seen first-hand the power of collaboration in driving local success. I’m pleased to contribute my time and experience to support the BID’s work and the wider business community.
Chris Shears
I am Head of Enterprise and Place at South West Devon Councils. I am keen to see Okehampton thrive and will support its growth with my knowledge of funding and wider West Devon.
Ed Squire
I have multiple businesses in the town in the accountancy and property industries. Being a keen sportsman, I am also on the committee for Okehampton Football Club. Having lived in Okehampton for nearly 20 years and been in business in the town for around 10, I know first-hand the potential the town has to offer. The BID has some fantastic ideas which will help the town realise that potential and help businesses, old and new, to be a success, which is why I have volunteered to be part of the board.
Gareth Smith
I am the principal of Okehampton College. I have been a principal of 2 different schools and worked with Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust since it's inception in 2018. I am also a governor at a school in Exeter. I am a member of the BID Board of Directors as I feel that it is important that our young benefit from local businesses working together to make Okehampton a better place. I want to make sure that their voice is heard.
Bob Tolley
Bob Tolley - As a Town Councillor, Charity Trustee, and now, BID Board Director, I have been involved in the support and evolution of the Okehampton BID since 2019 and was delighted to see its formal approval by the businesses last October. It has initially a 5-year tenure, and, as with these things, the initial 12 months are taken up with the mundane but essential work in setting up media outlets, policies, financial accounts etc. However, aside from the knowledge that our annual town centre promotions have already been retained and improved, I can already see benefits, in the “BID provided training courses for all businesses and the obvious evidence of the marketing and promotion of the town and its BID members. As those BID benefits become more apparent, and the awareness of Okehampton's businesses and industries grows, footfall increases and bank balances improve, I hope more members will join the Board, making it a truly business driven initiative, with decisions made by its members for its members. I am not a businessman, but as someone who's always working for our community, I can see, by working together, we will contribute to a positive and progressive future for all our diverse business enterprises and in turn, Okehampton.
Chris Wills
I have businesses based in Okehampton both in the IT industry but more so in property development and have carried out multiple projects throughout the town. I've also represented the town for Okehampton Argyle 1st team for over 20 years before hanging up the boots and now find myself in the role of Chairman. I'm very much looking forward to helping improve the town in several areas which in turn, will help all businesses throughout grow as the town grows. The town has a huge potential, and the BID is looking forward to helping the town realise its potential and holding the voluntary role on the board is something I'm very much enjoying.
The BID Area
The Okehampton Business Improvement District (BID) covers the heart of the town and its key commercial zones, creating a defined area where businesses work together to enhance trading conditions and the local environment.
The BID boundary, shown in green on the map, encompasses:
Town Centre Core
The central shopping streets, including Fore Street and Market Street, form the hub of retail activity. This area features a mix of independent shops, cafés, and essential services, making it the focal point for visitors and residents.
East and West Commercial Zones
Extending east along Exeter Road and west towards Crediton Road, the BID includes industrial estates and a business park. These areas host larger businesses, trade suppliers, business centres and service providers that complement the town centre offer.
Northern Gateway
The northern section incorporates key access routes and business clusters near the main approach roads, ensuring that gateway businesses benefit from BID initiatives.
Southern Corridor
The southern boundary follows the main transport links, including areas close to the railway line and green spaces, supporting connectivity and future development opportunities.
This diverse geography means the BID area brings together retail, hospitality, professional services, and industrial sectors under one umbrella, enabling coordinated investment in marketing, events, and infrastructure improvements.
