Promotional contribution from traders Peer results in other attractive promotions
Trade association HHOP! vzw strives for promotional contributions
HHOP! is a non-profit organization that has been since many years the driving force, both organizationally and financially, of numerous events and initiatives that benefit the Peer commercial core (Peer Feest, end-of-year promotion, birdhouses, European Championship promotion, Christmas lights, etc.). HHOP! vzw organizes various initiatives in the commercial core of Peer with the aim to strengthen the centre function and the trade function of the area and to give it more appeal.
Due to an ever decreasing number of members, it became increasingly difficult for the association to organize and finance these types of activities. In addition, non-members and traders who did not want to contribute to the organization of these initiatives benefited from the success of the organized activities. That's why HHOP! as a non-profit organization has been asking for years to levy a promotional tax on all traders and catering operators in the Peer centre in order to finance trade support projects in the core shopping area. Not only within the HHOP! board, but also among the traders of Peer-Centre, there is sufficient support for this initiative.
In April 2023, the Peer municipal council approved the regulations that will require a promotional contribution from traders for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. Officially this is called "a tax on commercial establishments accessible to the public located in the commercial core of Peer".
Based on a more attractive and favorable location and the extent to which traders are expected to benefit from the various initiatives, it is responsible to divide the city core into different zones. This means there is a rate differentiation per zone. In addition, there is an exemption from the tax for the category of liberal professions, social service providers and government institutions.
How is the promotional contribution used?
The additional resources that the city receives from this tax flow through a grant to HHOP! vzw integrally to the commercial core. This allowance is increased by the city council based on the euro/euro formula, whereby an extra euro allowance is awarded for every euro of tax.
Doing so, it has been possible to organize a number of attractive additional activities. CityD supports HHOP! vzw in the development and implementation of these activities. Silvie Vandewijer: “Thanks to the extra resources through the promotional contribution, we have already been able to realize some nice things:
- Addition of 'Peer Terrast' to the event 'Peer Feest';
- During the autumn open weekend in September we organized a Fashion Weekend;
- During the Customer's Weekend, everyone who paid a promotional contribution was allowed to hand out a number of pens with the inscription 'thank you for being a customer in Peer'.
At CityD, we will continue to actively support the non-profit organization in their centre management.
Peer Feest takes place every year in early July. The fair, Kids Day, HIP market and evening market created pleasantly busy days. For the first time, there were also traveling musicians and entertainment during 'Peer Terrast'.
Would you like to know more about our City Marketing and Centre Management pillar and the support we can offer you with our CityD brand? Contact us for a no-obligation (digital) appointment!
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