012 HOW THE BID IS HELPING THE CITY
indexmagazine.co.uk
CANTERBURY RECENTLY MARKED ITS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS OWN BID, WHICH HAS SEEN SEVERAL MILLION INVESTED INTO THE CITY
hen enterprising firms in an area of Toronto in Canada clubbed together back in 1970 to create the
world’s first Business Improvement District (BID), little could they have known it would spark a worldwide movement. But the concept, involving local companies forming and funding a not-for-profit organisation striving to make tangible improvements to their local trading area, has captured a groundswell of global interest. In New York alone there are now more than 70 such ventures operating across the city, with firms paying an annual levy towards administering the scheme. Its goals have covered everything
from initiatives to attract fresh business talent into a trading location and creating a combined marketing strategy, through to enhancing street scenes in order to boost trade and footfall. As far as the UK is concerned, it was in
fact a relatively late adopter of BID projects, with the first few emerging from the Local Government Act of 2003. This provided the framework for their adoption and today there are now more than 300 schemes operating around Britain. For its part, Canterbury recently marked its fifth anniversary of its own BID, which has seen several million invested into the city during that period. From helping fund Christmas lights
and street cleaning initiatives, through to sponsoring major public events and providing business support training sessions, its breadth of activity has proved its major strength. With Canterbury City Council facing considerable ongoing strain on its budgets,
much like other authorities around the country, having an independent organisation such as the BID team (which has offices in St Peter’s Street) training its focus on delivering specific initiatives for the area has been viewed by many observers as being particularly vital. This is especially the case given many
city centre traders are facing challenging times, affected by major issues including fast-changing shopping habits as competition from online-based businesses intensifies. Then there is the rapidly approaching
Brexit date of 31st October, which has cast a shadow over many companies’ projected outlooks. With the value of the pound weakening, trading uncertainties continue to impact on tourism and economic performance figures right across the UK. Clearly, at such challenging moments,
BID ventures requiring business-sector funding (with levies charged on the basis of individual property ratable values) may
not be universally popular among local business. But in Canterbury’s case at least, despite a petition being lodged against the scheme, firms gave a strong indication of their support in July, with 70% of companies within the central zone which it covers voting in favour of continuing the programme for a further five years. Its comparative success has seen both
Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone develop their own respective BID projects over the past year.
Founding principles
One of the initiative’s founding principles is that while its work is often done in partnership, its practical programmes must offer a distinct difference from existing services provided by local authorities. As Lisa Carlson, chief executive of
Canterbury’s BID, explains, she believes the city has genuinely benefitted from its input on a number of levels. In the organisation’s latest business plan, she acknowledged that the area had changed significantly in recent times, with its retail sector being under increasing pressure. However, she remained optimistic that hospitality, local attractions and entertainment businesses are providing a strong economic pillar and are major drivers of its overall financial outlook. “We believe the BID enhances the city of Canterbury as the work that we undertake ensures that we all live and work in an appealing, exciting and vibrant environment.
“Moving into our next five-year term, some of the highlights will be a
Medieval Pageant © Matt Wilson
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