A PETITION to try and shut down the Chippenham BID has failed following the company’s AGM.

Although 95 businesses had signed the call for the Business Improvement District to be wound up, their call was refused on the grounds that it was not clear what the petition was asking for or if all the signatures on it were from BID members.

“It would be wrong of us to accept it but it’s not that we’re not going to listen and try and address the issues,” said Tom Paget, a board member of the Chippenham BID and solicitor for Awdry Bailey and Douglas.

“It just seems like you’re trying to get away from it,” said Edward Kirk, owner of Scholars and one of the business owners to sign the petition.

Nic Puntis, a board member of the Chippenham BID, replied: “If you can put as much effort into helping the BID as you do trying to stop it, it would make it one of the most successful BIDs across the towns.

“We’re all passionate of making Chippenham a very successful place to do business.

“The only way we’re going to do that is stop this infighting and try to get on to do the work.”

“I’m urging you Ed to let us do that work, we have had a stuttering start but I’m looking at the bigger picture.”

More than 30 people attended the meeting which was held at the Angel Hotel on Wednesday, where an update was given on the finances of the BID, what the BID achieved in its first year and what plans it has going into the future.

New directors for the BIDs various committees were also confirmed with Melody Thompson stepping down from her position as chairman of Chippenham BID and replaced by Ben Gregory.

There was also a presentation by Dr Julia Grail, managing director of the BIDs Business, who said: “It’s incredible the fact you’re only at year one and the amount of stuff you have talked about and done.

“There are always people who raise concerns and questions and that’s good, that’s how you make a better BID.”