The 300th Business Improvement District has been opened in the UK. They are all following in the footsteps of Bedford which was among the first 12 pilots of the project in 2005.

Since their creation, BIDs have gained Government backing and widespread national attention across the country creating a powerful voice for those investing in town centres.

A BID is a business-led organisation aimed at improving a commercially defined area. Businesses within that area take part in a formal ballot which determines whether a BID is implemented in that area, and whether money can be spent.

There are varying types of BIDs across the UK and Ireland that deliver a number of regeneration plans, ranging from town centre through to commercial BIDs.

Commenting on the BID industry reaching 300 BIDs, CEO of British BIDs Chris Turner said:

“Business Improvement Districts are a powerful way for all the businesses in an area to invest for the future, to encourage new businesses and to market themselves. They allow businesses to have some control over their own futures in a turbulent world. We welcome the 300th BID into the national community.”

It was businesses in Penrith, Wales who voted favourably for the creation of a BID, marking a total of 300 BIDs across the UK.

The BedfordBID board of volunteers who represent large and small businesses and commercial property owners in the town centre said:

“The benefits the BID has brought to Bedford year in, year out over the past two decades cannot be underestimated. Our approach to the marketing of the town, which has been consistently funded by the BID under our Love Bedford banner, has changed to keep up with new technology. We work behind the scenes with police and other authorities and agencies to act as champion on difficult issues for independent businesses, giving them the support of the national chains here in town. No other organisation can hope to create that multi-business voice and in today’s challenging climate no other organisation can hope to pull together the funding to sustain all the activity undertaken by the BID.”