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Dear BID levy payer,

Welcome to 2023. Despite some signs of inflation slowing and positive indications of shoppers returning to the high street at the time of writing, I am still mindful that this is going to be another year of major challenges, with the war in Ukraine entering its second year and its effects causing worldwide disruption along with the economic roller coaster we seem to be on. We will all have to face these adverse conditions with our city’s renowned resilience, determination and always looking towards a brighter future.

GO! Southampton will continue to dedicate its efforts to supporting you and your business, whether it be short term needs with advice on energy bills and recruitment, or assistance in moving forward and upwards through networking, training, and marketing. We will also continue our work in partnership with the City Council to develop the longer-term economic growth, providing an environment that will stimulate innovation, encourage expansion, nurture new ventures and create a more vibrant city centre. I am very proud that GO! received a national award for its Business Crime Partnership, which endorsed the strong relations we have with the police, council, voluntary sector, and businesses, which makes the streets and venues a safer place for residents, workers, visitors and our universities’ students. We have worked hard to prepare our application to achieve Purple Flag status, an internationally recognised accreditation for the quality and safety of our evening and night-time economy, which includes shopping, theatre, restaurants, bars, and clubs. We await the outcome of this process shortly. I would strongly encourage you to make the most of your BID membership and if you are new to the BID area, a very good starting point are our regular networking events, where you will meet like-minded people, hear inspiring speakers, and discover how we can help. We also welcome active involvement in the work of GO! Southampton and would encourage anyone with an interest to speak with one of team about how you might assist with the theme groups of Stronger Business, Greater City Centre Experience and Better Marketing & Events, which shape our planning and delivery.

If you are interested in finding out more about your BID, please follow us on our socials, visit our website or email us. We are here to listen, help and support. With very best wishes for 2023.

Tim Keeping (Chair)