Welcome

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“We offer a shopping experience to appeal to every age group including young people who are our future shoppers. A lot of that is down to the BedfordBID.”

Executive Director of the BedfordBID Mo Aswat said : “As well as making sure we were doing our job, we have been listening and learning over the past five years. When Bedford was the first county town in the UK to become a BID there was no blueprint to follow. Over the intervening period we have recognised what works well and what could be improved. Hence the fact that the smallest businesses will not have to pay the levy - but will get all the benefits.

“We plan to push hard the BedfordBID Vouchers, so far £150,000 worth have been sold and we want to increase that.

“And we will be working ever more closely with the new unitary council authority to see what can be done on enhancing the cleansing in the town centre and making parking easier.”

Jan and Deb Page of the Arcadia Sweet Shop said: “BedfordBID has been brilliant for the town. It has made it a much safer place and somewhere that customers will want to return to.”

Don Gillett of the Art Centre and Gallery said: “BedfordBID definitely benefits retail businesses. The Bluecaps are helpful with visitors and are like ‘The Google’ of the town centre.”

Kerry Cash of 5th Avenue Hair & Beauty Spa said: “BedfordBID does an excellent job in promoting businesses in the town centre, raises the profile of the town and constantly comes up with new ideas to attract customers. The voucher scheme has been a great idea and has certainly brought us new clients.”

Kay Girling of Allders Opticians added: “It is vital for businesses to work together to keep customers happy and coming back for more.”

Bedford Borough Council supported the BID - both as a property owner in the town centre by paying into the fund, and by making extra contributions to assist businesses in Bedford. Mayor Dave Hodgson and Chief Executive Philip Simpkins attend BedfordBID board meetings to lend expertise and local authority support.

The BedfordBID ballot took place between February 24th and March 26th among registered levy payers. The result was announced on March 29th.

The details of the final vote are:-

56% by number in favour of the BID
73% in favour by aggregate of Rateable Value
42% turnout

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