The Chippenham Business Improvement District (BID), the organisation promoting the town to bring in more visitors and improve it for residents, has appointed Ben Gregory as deputy chair.
Mr Gregory, pictured, a director at printing firm Digiprint, will work closely alongside BID chair Melody Thompson, who is a director of recruitment firm 24-7 Staffing. 
The BID, one of more than 200 across the country, was launched last November after being approved by town centre businesses in a ballot.
The 377 businesses included in the BID will pay a levy generating a total of £365,500 a year over the next five years which will be invested in marketing and events, as well as addressing infrastructure issues such as additional car parking and keeping the town centre clean and safe.
Mr Gregory was among the town’s businesspeople who helped establish the BID.
He said: “Having worked with the Bath BID and experienced the fantastic work and benefits to the local economy there, it was essential that Chippenham got similar investment for quality town promotions and events.
“I feel Chippenham is on the verge of some very exciting developments and as the largest town in Wiltshire outside of Swindon, it is set for continued growth and investment. The BID will of course be dedicated to enhancing the current high street offer for residents and visitors and I am excited to be involved with the future projects.”
BID manager Carolyn Brownell added “Ben’s appointment is important as he has considerable experience and represents the all-important independent retail sector. The board is representative of the business community in Chippenham including national, local government and police.
“With the board in place we can push on and start to ramp up delivery of the BID initiatives.”
The full BID board is:
Melody Thompson, 24-7 Staffing director (chair); Ben Gregory, Digiprint director (deputy chair); Michael Bryant, Eagle One development manager; Sue Wilthew, Chippenham Town Council chief executive; Owen Inskip of Chippenham 2020; Sandie Webb, Revolutions Restaurant owner; Eloise Harper, Solicitor at Goughs; Tom Paget, Awdry Bailey and Douglas commercial solicitor; Sam Hudson, Barclays Bank business manager; Denise Lloyd, Wiltshire College VP (HE and development); John Brixey of Wiltshire Police; Rob Elkin, architect at Elkins Architects; Phil Tansley of Chippenham Borough Lands; Steve Hawker of Wilkinson; David Pritchard, Mander Duffill client associate; and Fleur De Rhe Philipe, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for economic development, skills and strategic transport.
