THE recent story about the confusion over a paid bill and the fact that bailiffs were sent in to a town centre cafe (Echo, Sept 30) has unfortunately eclipsed the good work that Distinct Darlington, a company voted in by the majority of town centre businesses, is doing for the town.

The bailiffs did not stop the business owner from leaving her premises, she was free to leave at any time. In addition the decision to take legal action against those who did not pay their levy was not one made lightly or by one person. Distinct Darlington is operated by a board of 17 directors elected by the town centre businesses.

Distinct Darlington did not ask for its legal costs despite being entitled to do so. Above all, this was a regrettable incident which Distinct Darlington would always endeavour to avoid and would encourage businesses to work with the company, board members and staff.

Distinct Darlington is just one of over 150 business improvement districts (BIDs) across the UK operating very successfully to improve towns and city centres. BIDs are continuing to make a massive difference to local economies, particularly to the fortunes of retailers and that is beginning to be echoed in Darlington.

Some 546 businesses pay a levy to fund the effort and in the first year more than 98 per cent of those paid – it was only a very small percentage that didn’t and put the BID in the unfortunate position of having to pursue this money.

The BID was set up through a democratic process and came into being because the majority of town centre businesses voted yes to having a company that could achieve great things for the town centre, with the benefit of a flexible budget that could be spent in accordance with the needs and desires of the businesses themselves.

Alex Hirst, Distinct Darlington manager.