Time for another update about the National BIDs Conference. We're really pleased to share the news that Allen Simpson, CEO of UKHospitality is to be one of our key speakers at our flagship event on 5th November. Allen has had a really varied and interesting career, including serving in organisations such as the Foreign Office and London Stock Exchange. He joined UK Hospitality in 2024 as Deputy Chief Executive, before stepping into his current role. His insight will be hugely valuable to all those involved in the BID community, and we very much look forward to welcoming him. Don't forget to book your tickets: https://lnkd.in/eR6cUZwb #BritishBIDs #BusinessImprovementDistricts #UKHospitality #HighStreets #BritishEconomy #PlaceMaking #NationalBIDsConference
British BIDs
Information Services
Ipswich, Ipswich 3,712 followers
Leading the BID industry for 10+ years
About us
The BID industry will recognise a professional delivery style combined with value for money, resulting in the quality delivery of tailor-made industry products and services. British BIDs (Bb) is the highly respected and long established organisation focused entirely on Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Through the delivery of advice, training, products and services, it delivers quality and innovation to the rapidly growing UK BIDs industry.
- Website
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http://www.britishbids.info
External link for British BIDs
- Industry
- Information Services
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Ipswich, Ipswich
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2006
Locations
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Primary
Ipswich
Ipswich, Ipswich Suffolk, GB
Employees at British BIDs
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Christopher Turner
Director of Research at British BIDs, Professor and International Ambassador at Winchester University and Director at Winchester Business Improvement…
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Gavin Stewart
Director Forbes Stewart Ltd | Executive Director at Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership | CEO at Brighton BID | Associate Director at Sussex Past |…
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Fiona Wright
Director @ Savills Place | Marketing Week Mini MBA
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Mel Richardson
Bb Membership Support, Newham BID and Mel Richardson Consultancy
Updates
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What’s your goal the other side of the summer? If it’s some professional upskilling which packs a punch in your industry…we’ve got you covered with a great August-only offer. Our next key learning opportunities are just a few weeks’ away – and we want to ensure every professional in the BID community, and those with a passion for place-making, get a chance to benefit. Now is the perfect time to invest in your professional development and that of your team. Diploma in BID Leadership (DiBL) Designed for senior team members, this course delves into: Leadership Psychology: Understand the nuances of leading diverse teams. Strategic Planning: Learn to set clear objectives and tactics. Governance & Corporate Matters: Strengthen organisational frameworks. Certificate in BID Marketing Ideal for marketing professionals and those wanting to focus on marketing their BID, this programme covers: Marketing Fundamentals: Build a solid foundation in BID-specific marketing. Effective Communication: Enhance writing skills for diverse audiences. Interactive Workshops: Participate in roundtable discussions to exchange ideas. Special Offer for Organisations For the final sign-up month, we're offering a special discount for organisations enrolling multiple learners. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering education and professional growth within the place-making and BID management space. Secure Your Spot Today Don't miss out on this opportunity to advance your career and contribute to the success of your BID. For more information and to enrol, get in touch with our team by calling 0845 112 0118 or emailing [email protected] #BIDLeadership #BIDMarketing #ProfessionalDevelopment #PlaceMaking #BIDManagement #BritishBIDs #EnrolNow
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This week, the government has released its strategic plan for small and medium sized businesses. Their publication was formally presented to parliament by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade yesterday. But how does their 'Backing Your Business' strategy align with the many BIDs actively delivering change and improvement across the country? What should those in the BID community take from the proposed approach? Here's a comment from Christopher Turner: "We have been waiting some time for this Strategic plan for Small and Medium size businesses from the government; and for many BIDs there is some interesting reading in it. "Although there is no direct mention of Business Improvement Districts, and no mention of help on business rates, national insurance or the minimum wage, there is some clear thinking on issues such as growth incubators, the hospitality and night-time economy, paying bills on time, and access to finance. "The link is here and I do recommend a read over the weekend to get thinking moving. https://lnkd.in/eumvqPaq #BritishBIDs #BusinessImprovementDistricts #BusinessGrowth #HighStreets
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💡 July's Insight by Christopher Turner is now available! Read the full insight here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eStwynR5 #DevolutionBill #TouristTaxes #ValuationOfficeAgency #LevellingUpFund #BritishBIDs
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Here's a great deep-dive article from our Head of Place, Sophie Alexander. In light of political tensions on the issue of tourism tax, Sophie discusses where this sits with ABIDs, and the greater question of 'just how do we make our towns and cities more resilient'? We'd love to hear your thoughts. #BritishBIDs #BusinessImprovementDistricts #HighStreets #TourismTax https://lnkd.in/efj9npZz
Head of Place | BIDs | Women in Construction Anglia (WICA) | Strategic Leader | Facilitator | Youth in Place Advocate | Digital Champion | Youth Mindfulness Provider
Tourist tax or place investment? We’re missing the real question. Yesterday The Telegraph article highlighted some tensions around the idea of a tourist tax, but for those of us working in town and city centre resilience, this goes far beyond party lines. The real conversation isn’t about if we should charge tourists. It should be about how we fund the places we depend on. BIDs are already stepping up. Accommodation BIDs (ABIDs) are gaining traction. But without legislative support or long-term reform, we’re still plugging holes in a system that needs rethinking. If we want thriving town and city centres, we need sustainable funding models, and we need to trust those delivering on the ground. Are ABIDs enough? Is tourist tax the right thing? What’s the next step in place-based funding? Here’s hoping my recent article below helps to take conversations further, or to help us really think about what’s right for towns and cities before we go head first into one solution!! #PlaceLeadership #TourismEconomy #BIDs #ABIDs #Devolution #TownCentres #Placemaking #LocalFunding #Hospitality #Levies #PolicyAndPlace #BritishBIDs
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Granted - the schools are out and universities too. There's a pause on learning for some. But what about you? What about your potential to accelerate your career progression and develop your sector knowledge and management insight? At British BIDs, we believe that continued professional growth is one of the most powerful tools we have to strengthen our towns, cities and high streets. Whether you're new to the sector or an experienced BID manager, our training offer is designed to meet you where you are, and take you further. From bite-sized courses you can complete in a few hours, to our more extended Certificate in BID Marketing and our Diploma in Business Leadership which run over number of weeks. The summer break can be the perfect time to decide to invest in yourself and your team. Our flexible, accessible programmes are tailored to the realities of BID life - designed by practitioners, for practitioners. And because we know no two BIDs are the same, our courses cover a wide range of topics: stakeholder engagement, ballot preparation, business planning, marketing, governance, place shaping and more. Real-world insights. Practical skills. All delivered by experts in the field. Head on over to our Academy link, and secure your place today: https://lnkd.in/eypX7mzY #BritishBIDs #PlaceMaking #BusinessImprovementDistricts #LearningandDevelopment #CPD #Accreditation
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📣 NEW JOB OPPORTUNITY Are you a dynamic and strategic operations leader with a passion for place-making and stakeholder engagement? Do you want to play a pivotal role in shaping some of London’s most iconic districts? Join #PrimeraCorporation as the Head of Operations and help drive the success of two vibrant Business Improvement Districts: Aldgate Connect BID and Cheapside Business Alliance. 🌟 Job Type: Fixed-term (Maternity Cover) 🌟 Salary: Dependant on experience 🌟 Start Date: November 2025 Closing date for applications is 3rd September 2025. Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/edEmW4NB #BIDjobs #JobOpportunities #CityOfLondon #Aldgate #Cheapside #PrimeraCorporation
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We know you're keen to hear more about our agenda for the forthcoming BIDs Conference. Today, we're delighted to share the news that Lisa Maslen, National Business Crime Centre, will be one of our key speakers. Lisa has such an incredible amount of insight and experience, and will bring our members an exceptional overview of what's happening when it comes to retail crime, and where the NBCC sits in that focus. The timing of announcing Lisa's involvement, could not be better. In recent days a new £7bn Retail Crime Strategy has been announced by the government. At British BIDs we know how important this theme is to you all, and we're therefore so pleased to be able to bring a speaker of Lisa's professional stature to our proceedings. But wait..... Now we want to hear from you if you have specific areas you'd love Lisa to be capturing in her presentation. She's very keen to ensure she informs you across the areas and interests which matter most for your communities. Feel free to share your thoughts. In the meantime, head over to the British BIDs website to book your place: https://lnkd.in/eWZKmrpw #BritishBIDs #BusinessImprovementDistricts #RetailCrime #CrimeStrategy #Policing #PlaceMaking #UKHighStreets #NationalBIDsConference
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We start the week with a reveal... We're pleased to share the chosen theme for our forthcoming National BIDs Conference. This year, you can expect our packed agenda to focus on 'Resilient Roots, Bold Growth'. This central theme provides us with the perfect canvas from which to discuss the likes of: 🔹BIDs and their role in nurturing place-based partnerships and business ecosystems to build the strongest foundations 🔹 Innovative future-ready strategies for growth at the heart of communities 🔹 Collaboration and collective vision to aid resilience 🔹 Casestudies of boldly delivered BID strategies which are already proving that the right roots generated growth We'll be sharing much more with you over the coming weeks about our conference, including details of our key speakers, and how you can make the best of the occasion for networking and learning. Do go ahead and book your place: https://lnkd.in/eR6cUZwb A quick reminder of the detail for this must-attend event: 📌 Wednesday 5th November 📌 10am - 5pm 📌 One Moorgate Place, London #ResilientRootsBoldGrowth #BritishBIDs #PlaceMaking #BusinessImprovementDistricts #BusinessResilience
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She may be new in post, but our Head of Place, Sophie Alexander is certainly not wasting any time in reaching out and hearing from our community. Today, we share her early reflections on key issues and themes which are clearly on the mind of so many of you in the operational and leadership space for BIDs. She says: “With the next business rates revaluation expected to take effect in 2026, many BIDs are already beginning to assess the potential implications. While the full impact is yet to be seen, early discussions across the sector are focused on what this could mean for levy income, BID boundaries, and the wider financial landscape for businesses. This is a critical moment to ensure BIDs are informed, involved, and equipped to support their levy payers through the changes ahead, with clear communication and robust data at the heart of that effort. BIDs also continue to play a leading role in tackling business crime, often stepping in where statutory services are stretched. From antisocial behaviour and shoplifting to wider public safety concerns, BIDs are delivering local solutions in partnership, but the pressure continues to grow. The long-term sustainability of this responsibility is a sector-wide issue and one that requires serious attention as expectations rise. The third area I consider to be significant for the next phase of our work, is the emergence of tourist tax models, particularly in visitor-driven locations. It presents both opportunity and uncertainty. As more areas begin exploring these schemes, it’s vital that BIDs are part of the conversation to ensure any new revenue mechanisms are place-led, transparent, and locally aligned. Looking ahead, what does this mean for areas with established Accommodation BIDs already in place? As we prepare for the British BIDs National Conference this November, I’m really keen to ensure we’re addressing these topics on the agenda, and can’t wait to meet so many of you in person.” Don't hesitate to reach out to Sophie if you'd like to have a further conversation on issues which arising for you and your BID team. You can also visit the British BIDs website to confirm your place at our National Conference. #BritishBIDs #PlaceMaking #BusinessImprovementDistricts #TownCentres #UKRetail #BusinessSecurity
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