Business Improvement Districts celebrate 20 years and £1billion invested in UK towns and cities
2024 marks the 20-year anniversary of Business Improvement Districts in the UK, the organisations that have invested over £1billion in local services and events to deliver better towns and cities for all.
To celebrate this landmark there will be a year-long programme of events and activity across the country.
A UK success story
BIDs were first made possible in England in 2004 by the UK BID regulations act, with Wales following suit in 2005, Scotland in 2007, and Northern Ireland in 2014.
Modelled on similar organisations that have been established since the 1960s in Canada and the US, Business Improvement Districts in the UK have since become an international exemplar, sharing knowledge back to North American counterparts and helping other nations like Spain and Portugal to evolve their own BID models.
In addition to an investment in excess of £1billion since 2014, BIDs have also created some of the most innovative and best loved public realm, local festivals, seasonal events, unique place branding, and environmental sustainability projects.
The London Bridge BID
Set up in 2006 by the business community, Team London Bridge was one of the first BIDs established in London. Local businesses at the time were concerned about the stewardship of the area through the final stages of the More London Estate development, the yet to be constructed Shard, and the redevelopment of London Bridge Station. A programme of BID ran projects and services embraced these changes and made the most of opportunities that emerged, shaping the area alongside our partners and supporters to become the London Bridge we love today.
18 years later and priorities have changed and businesses continue to see that paying a BID levy is an investment that pays dividends in so many ways. Today’s focus is squarely on security and sustainability, however all BID services continue to be valued and in demand.
Nadia Broccardo, Co-Chair of The BID Foundation and Chief Executive of Team London Bridge, commented:
“The 20 years campaign emphasises the transformative power of BIDs. It acknowledges the significant investments BIDs have made in supporting their local communities, underscores the positive changes in public realm, and explores the meaningful civic roles they play with essential business support. This journey unfolds through the lens of one great idea, tracing the origins of BIDs and showcasing a 20-year timeline”.
Michele Wilby, Co-Chair of The BID Foundation and Chief Executive of Colmore Business District in the heart of Birmingham, said:
“Personally, I am most proud of how, through our reputation as place makers of excellence, BIDs have become a crucial part of the local governance infrastructure. As well as the day-to-day, BIDs have become key strategic partners in shaping the places they look after.”
“There’s still more to do, but I know industry and colleagues are up for the challenge. I’m excited to see where the industry is in the next 20 years.”
Championing BIDs’ contribution to place
A logo, instigated by LeedsBID2 and adopted by The BID Foundation, The Institute of Place Management and two other prominent national organisations (ATCM, British BIDs), will help to champion the work of BIDs in their local area and raise awareness nationally, from communities to governments, about these organisation’s contribution to place.
Since the establishment of the first BID in Kingston upon Thames, which secured its ballot in 2004, over 350 BIDs have been founded in all corners of the UK. By raising money through levy payments collected from local businesses, BIDs have added ‘significant strategic and operational capacity’[1] in their areas and have contributed to the evolution of high streets and centres.