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The BBC Money Programme’s focus on the crisis facing Dunstable retailers has prompted a reaction from Bedford - where shops took action five years ago to work together to boost business in the town centre.
 
By voting for Business Improvement District (BID) status, under which retailers, restaurants and other commercial outlets pay a levy into a fund which is used to promote the town, Bedford has protected itself from the worst of the recession.
 
Bedford was the first market town to vote Yes to becoming a BID and four years later the benefits were being seen before the credit crunch. Now the BID is bolstering businesses from the worst effects of the cash crisis.
 
“Where as other towns were experiencing a down turn in football before the recession, Bedford was on the up. When the crunch came, other towns were rushing around trying to set up ‘shop local’ schemes and things like local vouchers - the BID already does that extensively with the backing of useful budget which benefits all,”explained Mo Aswat, Executive Director of BedfordBID.
 
Mo works with the BID board comprising local businesses and BID levy payers to make sure the town is a shopping destination.
 
“Mary Portas, Queen of Shops, on the Money Programme was seen trying to persuade people in another small town, Tewkesbury, to improve the whole shopping experience - and quoted all the type of ideas and projects which the BID has tried and proven in Bedford,” added Mo,
 
“This combined with promotions like the Mayor’s Town of Markets idea and his offer to assist independent retailers who want to move into Bedford means that the town is coping much better than others close to home and farther afield.
 
“We will invite Mary Queen of Shops along to see what the BedfordBID has done to keep Bedford in business.”

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