Bedford Business Improvement District (BID) has two new team members: Adam Chin and Dan Field who will be championing both Bedford town centre and BedfordBID services to visitors and businesses alike.

They will be liaising directly with all BedfordBID town centre businesses, including non-retail, as well as being seen out and about by visitors.

Bedford was a pioneer BID in 2005, and there are now over 240 across the UK. 

 “Bedford led the way in 2005 with Bluecap guides. However, consumer and business demands have changed. People look at their smart phones to navigate offers and attractions with businesses  looking for more sophisticated means to compete,” explained BID Director Christina Rowe, 

“For that reason and following feedback from businesses and visitors, the board of the BID, themselves representing town centre businesses, have decided to restructure how we offer services to our town centre businesses with a new skills set for our frontline team and we now have the Champions on board. 

“We will keep on promoting and supporting our town centre with all of our team both on the street and in our town centre office.

“Businesses will be kept abreast of the latest information from the BID which is of commercial value to them. The Champions will also help businesses to promote themselves via the various Love Bedford platforms. News and updates will be logged instantly via Tablets direct to our office team who manage the website and social media platforms. This speed of response is entirely necessary in these days of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“Given the growth with the BID zone, including the new Riverside North development, and the rise of Sunday visitors, our Champions will also show that BedfordBID is working for businesses seven days a week and into the evenings.”

Essential services such as the Retail RadioLink & Exclusion Scheme will be relaunched, including working towards maintaining the Safer Business award and gaining a Purple Flag accreditation.  Services such as the Love Bedford gift voucher  and WipeOut (zero tolerance to graffiti) schemes will also continue.

BedfordBID partnership working with other agencies including Bedfordshire Police and Bedford Borough Council will continue. 

Both new Champions are from Bedfordshire with strong backgrounds in sales and customer service. Adam, 24, formerly worked in a retail environment honing sales skills by working on promotional campaigns including events and Dan, 33, was an actor, IT specialist and teacher with experience in event management and promotions. Both are delighted to be working for our town.