I wrote my first ‘In My View’ at the end of 2020 just after being elected Chair of Chichester BID. Helen, the new BID Vice Chair and I were at the beginning of a busy year involving not only the reopening of the high street after the Covid lockdowns but also the BID ballot.
The ballot is required by law every five years to determine if businesses within the BID see value in their BID levies and wish the BID to continue. After careful consultation we developed a five year business plan to meet the levy payers’ needs and we were delighted when Chichester BID was voted in for a third term with more than a 70% majority in the late autumn. Not all BIDs get approval to continue so we were very pleased with the result and the validation of the BID team and business plan.
The BID’s next five-year term commences on 1 April 2022 and the team has been busy preparing by planning this year’s calendar of events and campaigns as well as reviewing and enhancing existing infrastructure and contracts.
Our small team is supported by various outsourced partners, including ChiBAC (Chichester Business Against Crime), the BID Rangers and PlaceInformatics who help us gather footfall data to determine which activities result in the biggest draw to our city.
Looking to the next five years, Chichester BID aims to continue working with these resources as well as extending and deepening our partnerships with local organisations such as The Great Sussex Way, Chichester College, Chichester University and Goodwood. We also have close and valuable partnerships with Chichester City Council, Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council and are grateful for their help and assistance. ‘Working Together’ will be the BID’s guiding light over the coming years.
I shall be standing down as Chair this month as the beginning of the next five year term seems a convenient break point. I wish the new Chair every success in building upon past achievements and making the city centre an even better place to visit and do business.