FREMANTLE’S business improvement district is starting to make an impact after a slow incubation.

The BID now has 300 businesses on its books and has negotiated a “small window of exclusivity” for local retailers at this July’s Winter Garden on the Fremantle Esplanade.

The event, which will feature an ice rink, giant slide and fake snow, is expected to attract 100,000 visitors to the port during the month it’s open.

• Fremantle businesses will get a chance to cash in on the popularity of this year’s Winter Festival on the Esplanade.

The BID’s new chairperson Danielle Cattalini (daughter of former Freo mayor John Cattalini) says the 2012 event was well received by local businesses and there was momentum for more involvement.

“As the Fremantle BID, we were excited to be able to get involved to ensure our member businesses had every opportunity to benefit from the event,” she said.