By Helen Marshall, Chair of Chichester BID
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) serve as an effective, grass roots lifeline for businesses and exist across the whole of the UK. They are vital in supporting local enterprises, often operating in low key but important ways. BIDs deliver a local injection of funding that is instrumental in supporting the health and wealth of our high streets.
Having said that, many still do not fully appreciate how BIDs contribute to their local high street economies – often their work being attributed to other organisations or authorities.
Here in Chichester, the BID works extremely effectively alongside a wide range of local partners to deliver a diverse array of activities that promote Chichester as a key destination, help keep the city safer and facilitate networks to build a thriving business community.
For example – did you know that all the Christmas Lights you see in December are funded and organised by the BID? The wonderful City Ambassadors that patrol the streets, are operated by the BID and co funded with the City Council.
Let’s not forget the lovely flowers in the city too – the BID supports the City Council in delivering these each year too. And how about the colourful street bunting and the themed flag programme you will have seen across the city in the summer – all sourced, designed and provided by your local BID.
Our local independent businesses, who we believe are the lifeblood of the city, get special attention too with ongoing support and regular dedicated marketing campaigns.
The above outlines just the tip of the iceberg of support given to the city’s businesses by the BID. If you want to find out more, please do visit our website chichesterbid.co.uk where you can read about all the initiatives that the BID delivers for the city.
