Business Improvement Districts
More and more businesses around the country are benefiting from the advantages that being part of a Business Improvement District (BID) can bring.
Business Improvement Districts are a way for businesses to work together and fund extra services or improvements to their areas, creating safe, clean and vibrant locations in which business can thrive.
About Us
Groundwork is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading Business Improvement District experts.
For over 40 years we have been working with businesses, communities and public sector partners to create more sustainable communities. During this time we’ve supported the creation of 23 BIDs, releasing over £20 million of investment, principally in the North West of England.
How We Can Help
Our team of BID delivery specialists help business parks, town centre management companies and local authorities to implement Business Improvement District projects in their areas. We have a strong track record of winning the crucial BID votes and successful reballots.
The Benefits Of A Business Improvement District
- Better decision-making, as businesses make decisions collectively about local improvements
- Attraction of new inward investment
- High quality, more attractive trading environments
- Higher footfall and improved occupancy levels, which supports sales growth and job creation
- Reduced levels of crime and vandalism and safer trading environments
- More competitive property values, through creation of higher quality environments and improved image
- Improved transport links and levels of congestion
- Additional marketing and promotion of the area
- Greatly improved communication links between public and private sector, with business issues and opportunities given higher priority
- Development of mutually beneficial business relationships within the area and the creation of a unified voice for business that can champion transformational change.
- The BID projects we have supported have successfully won renewal votes, achieving support of up to 96%.
Our Services Include:
- BID Feasibility Studies to assess the suitability of your retail area or business park for BID development
- BID Development Programmes to undertake the full development of your BID proposal up to a formal ballot for a BID.
- BID Management Services to support the delivery of your BID over its five year lifespan.
BIDs We Currently Manage
Retail, Leisure, High Street and Town Centre Focused BIDs
Groundwork has led multiple BID development projects in town and city centre locations including Chester, Crewe, Keighley, Warrington, Northwich, Burnley and Wilmslow. With a 14 year track record of supporting retail and leisure BIDs, Groundwork has transformed retail settings across the North of England, creating a new confidence in town centres, reinventing the high street experience for consumer and most importantly supporting local businesses to take a stronger lead in shaping the development of their own towns.
Groundwork conducts work on all the key stages of BID development and delivery, including feasibility studies, BID development and ballot projects alongside the capability and capacity to manage BID over their 5 year terms through renewal.
Northwich Town Centre BID (est. 2014)
- 3 successful ballots securing £3million+ of private sector led investment
- Marketing and events led by the BID have been a key element supporting the regeneration of Northwich, which has attracted new business and resulted in the now iconic annual Pina Colada Festival.
- The BID’s consumer brand ‘Visit Northwich – A Destination with a Difference ‘ reaches 1million consumers annually.
Warrington Town Centre BID (est. 2018)
- 2 successful ballots securing £3million+ of private sector led investment
- The BID has funded transformational events across the calendar year, attracting 1000s of consumers back into Warrington town centre.
Burnley Town Centre BID (est. 2020)
£1.1million private sector led investment into events, marketing, business support and crime and security improvement projects.
The Burnley BID has supported companies and stakeholders to deliver new events, festivals and activity to re-animate the town centre. The BID has also led work to tackle anti-social behaviour and tackle crime and security issues common across high streets.
Wilmslow Town Centre BID (est. 2022)
- £1million private sector led investment into Wilmslow town centre. The BID is focused on enhancing the consumer experience, leading with a programme of innovative events and festivals from summer sport days, dinosaur trails, space festivals, winter ice rink experience and a Wilmslow street food festival .
- The BID has also invested heavily in environmental enhancements and creating a new brand for Wilmslow.
Crewe Town Centre BID (est. 2024)
- Groundwork’s most recent new BID development project started in April 2024. The project will deliver a £1.5million private sector led investment into Crewe’s key retail and hospitalilty locations including Crewe town centre, Grand Junction Retail Park and business districts leading towards Crewe train station along the Nantwich Road.
Business Parks and Industrial Estate BIDs
Groundwork pioneered the development of the UKs first non-retail BID in 2005, when Winsford Industrial Estate became one of the first BIDs to be established in the UK, and the first non-retail location to become a BID. Since then we have developed eight non-retail BIDs supporting numerous business parks and industrial estates to develop cleaner, greener and safer environments in which business and commerce can thrive. Groundwork conducts work on all the key stages of BID development and delivery, including feasibility studies, BID development and ballot projects alongside the capability and capacity to manage BID over their 5 year terms through renewal.
Winsford 1-5 BID (Cheshire, est. 2005)
- The UK’s first non-retail BID, raising £2million+ of private sector led investment to date.
- Approved at ballot four times, with 90% + approval ratings from companies. The BID has supported Winsford Industrial Estate to diversify and grow resulting in a 46% increase in the number of business premises over 15 years which raise an additional £2million in business rates annually through increased levels of economic activity.
- The BID has invested in CCTV, employee training and environmental enhancements including entrance features, Cheshire fencing, poles and banner features and new signage.
- Winsford Industrial Estate is currently developing a place based approach to decarbonisation for the industrial estate and it’s 200+ resident companies.
Gadbrook Park BID (Cheshire, est. 2009)
- Approved at ballot on four occasions, most recently in 2024 securing support of 98% at ballot.
- The BID has raised £4million of private sector led investment since first approved in 2009.
- The BID manages environmental enhancements, inward investment projects and extensive crime and security including a 20+ camera CCTV system and manned security patrol services.
Globe Business Park BID (Buckinghamshire, est. 2014)
- Approved at ballot in 2014, 2019 with a forthcoming ballot in 2024.
- Globe Business Park is home to range of high profile businesses who operate across pharmaceutical, defence, logistics and telecommunications.
- The BID has led on £2million+ of private sector led investment to improve transport access and egress creating sustainable solutions to employee parking challenges.
West Chester BID (Cheshire, est. 2017)
- Developed by Groundwork in 2017 and re-approved at ballot in 2023 the BID has deployed an extensive CCTV network, taken action to tackle illegal traveller incursions and implemented a range of environmental enhancements include new signage and planting schemes.
Blackburn Economic Development Zone BID (Lancashire, est. 2007)
- Covering three business parks, the BID has deployed an integrated 25+ CCTV system and extensive enhanced environmental cleansing projects to tackle litter and fly tipping.
- The project has been approved at ballot in 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022 raising £2million of private sector led investment.
Cressex Business Park BID (Buckinghamshire, est. 2022)
- Following the success of neighbouring Globe Business Park BID, Cressex BID was approved by a majority of companies in 2022 with a mandate to implement transportation improvements, environmental / security enhancements and to support businesses and invest in employees.
- The BID will invest £1million over its lifetime between 2022 and 2027.
For more information:
Contact Greville Kelly – Business Director, Groundwork.
E: Greville.Kelly@groundwork.org.uk
T: 07714 322 023
