ALTRINCHAM Unlimited - the new name for the town's Business Improvement District (BID) - has launched an initiative to drive down costs for Altrincham businesses and save them money.

Meercat Associates - a specialist procurement company that works exclusively with BIDs - has been signed up to work with businesses within the BID area to reduce costs and improve service and support across a range of services including energy, telecoms, testing, pest control and merchant fees.

Since its launch in 2007 Meercat has worked with more than 80 BIDs across the UK, identifying more than £4 million in savings in the process. One of its most recent successes was to find over £130,000 of cost savings for businesses in Shrewsbury.

Katie Bland, BID manager said: “We are delighted to have signed up Meercat Associates on this cost savings project, and are confident that they will deliver real return on investment to levy-paying businesses in Altrincham.

"This is a great example of how the BID can make a positive difference to businesses across all sectors, and we hope as many BID members as possible will take advantage of this service.

"Special thanks go to Mark Hope of High Street Medical and the rest of the Altrincham Unlimited Business & Operations Advisory Group for their involvement in the delivery of this project.”

Businessman Mark Hope commented: “As a BID levy-paying business I have a vested interest in ensuring that Meercat’s service delivers value and return on investment.

"Their cost-saving team has so far secured me savings of £276 on my utility bills alone. Given that this is more than double the amount I paid as a BID levy fee it represents a fantastic return, and I wholeheartedly encourage other levy payers to try their services.”

Rishi Sood, managing director of Meercat Associates, said: “We’re proud to welcome Altrincham Unlimited to our National BID Buying Group.

"Our partnership will provide all BID levy-payers in Altrincham with an opportunity to make informed decisions on their costs, and ensure they achieve best value on a wide range of services that impact their bottom line.

"We hope all eligible businesses in Altrincham will use our advisory and benchmarking services and enable our business improvement consultants to help them start saving.”

All Altrincham BID levy paying businesses will shortly receive a 12-page brochure entitled ‘Reducing Business Costs,’ which details the areas in which potential savings can be made. For more information, contact the Altrincham Unlimited team on 0161 791 0383.