NEW name, same targets: Fremantle Business Improvement District has been relaunched as Freo Now.
The member-based organisation’s main goals are to work to improve the business environment and represent members.
Freo Now chair Karl Bullers said Fremantle BID members were disappointed to see BID funding cut.
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READ NOW“Especially in the light of major achievements of the last couple of years, they pushed us to keep the organisation going, even in a scaled back form,” he said.
“The change to branding and focus were determined by the board long before the funding was withdrawn.
“Councillors also made it clear in the discussions about differential rate funding that they would like to see BID continue in some form under its own steam.”
Mr Bullers is also a member of the new Destination Marketing Working Group (DMWG), designed to draw more visitors to Fremantle.
He said he would continue to be a member of both Freo Now and the DMWG.
“Freo Now members have representation on DMWG and this was part of the proposal voted on by council,” he said.
“Short term we want to set up a good base of membership and help retailers and businesses cope with the CBD redevelopment.
“Longer term we are looking to find other funding streams, help building owners and creatives fill up empty shop space, activate/improve the city and represent members at all levels -pretty much the same targets as the BID.”
Former Fremantle councillor Rob Fittock was announced as the interim chief executive of Freo Now and said he was a big supporter of the BID
“When the opportunity was presented to me I did not hesitate, especially looking at the calibre of the people on the board and the incredible work that they have achieved over the past couple of years.
“On the back of that I believe that I can bring the experience and the network skills that I have maintained since my years on Council to deliver a strong voice and advocacy to the people at the coal face, the Fremantle business community.”