BID MORE
As we approach the end of our third five-year term, representing almost 15 years of Worcester BID, it’s appropriate to reflect on the positive impact of our many projects within the Worcester business community.
From stand-out management of award winning safety partnerships developing facilities for safer streets, to enhancing the city through up-cycling existing infrastructure and engaging local artists to animate our streets. We have delivered on our promise and pride ourselves in ensuring maximum value is given back to you, our levy payers.
During the pandemic it goes without saying that the business community was severely impacted. Worcester BID was a vital and valued source of information and played a key role in the reopening and relaunching of the city. Supporting businesses to secure grants, providing training and advice on reopening with the implementation of new guidelines. Seeking opportunities and securing £110,000 of additional income within year 1 of the five-year term to support with welcoming back locals and tourists to the city and to invest in you, the businesses, via peer to peer networks and training.
Through strong partnership working with local stakeholders, we make sure the business community has a strong and influential voice in matters affecting the city centre, so that we can make a positive contribution to future decision making as the city develops. The BID’s support and advice on the Towns Fund Board during the consultation and creation of proposals for Levelling Up Funding ensures that businesses have an important stake in the future of our great city.
Worcester BID has delivered against the aspirations set out by the business community when we began. Through our recent consultation we’ve listened to what you want to see more of, the issues which we need to address and shared ideas to make Worcester the very best it can be. We want to continue this work with you. A vote for another five years will mean a further £2 million plus invested into our city centre. That will allow us to build on safer streets and stronger communities, to be strong leaders to allow for change and to develop the city centre landscape, enhancing areas of the city centre, as well as promotional activity putting us on the map.
Together we are a stronger voice, and we look forward to more shared success. We look forward to a fourth term and all that we can deliver for Worcester together.
A message from the CEO and Worcester BID Board of Directors
Samantha McCarthy
Worcester Business Improvement District CEO
‘I am honoured to be chairing the board at such a pivotal time, shaping and developing the next five years to support the businesses for a successful city.’
Anja Potze
Worcester Business Improvement District Chair
Safer STREETS STRONGER COMMUNITIES SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES
YOUR City AND US
Worcester
is
a beautiful Cathedral and University City with a fascinating history, located in the heart of the West
Midlands on the banks of the magnificent River Severn.
We boast a wealth of interesting architecture, top class sports teams and venues, combined with an unrivalled mix of independent boutiques and high street names, and a vibrant programme of events. Worcester BID was established in 2010 with a vision to make Worcester a better place to shop, eat, play and live.
The past fifteen years have seen us deliver demonstrable change and progress across the range of key issues outlined in our Business Plan - a plan directly influenced by, and developed with, businesses within the city.
Over the last five-year term, the BID has worked tirelessly following the pandemic on building both consumer confidence and attracting locals and visitors back to the city centre. We have demonstrated strong partnership working and collaboration, as well as leading within the BID industry and supporting other towns and major cities by sharing our best practice.
SAFER NIGHTS
Powerful leadership within the night-time economy allowed us to secure the prestigious, internationally recognised Purple Flag accreditation, demonstrating a safe and vibrant night time economy. The BID’s effective leadership and influence, representing the voice of the businesses led to the development and launch of the Worcester Safe Space.
The Safe Space objectives are to support the users of the night time economy, as well as the pressures on the blue light services, and reduce the admissions in A&E on a Friday and Saturday night due to intoxication.
72% of people seen by safer space are worcester residents
730 people were seen by the Safe Space within the first six months of launching
I got that dreaded call last night but was immediately reassured by the Safe Space team that my daughter was safe and they would stay with her until I collect her.
The Safe Space has successfully delivered its objectives, demonstrating an impact on NHS and WMAS figures for call outs, as well as being a vital source and point of contact for the businesses during the early hours, providing reassurance and medical support, strengthening our city offering to the benefit of the whole community.
To further support venues and the Purple Flag application, Worcester BID have assessed and awarded 35 venues with the Best Bar None accreditation Worcester BID have increased the safety within the night time economy through installing defibrillator kits within late night venues, as well as providing venues with catastrophic bleed kits and training
£28K PER MONTH AVERAGE SAVING TO THE NHS
Worcester parent
SAFER CITY
The BID’s recent investment into a Safer Streets officer has provided value and security to businesses.
Since launching the role in June 2023, we have recovered and returned, on average, £3,000 worth of stolen goods per month, as well as assisted the police with arrests, supported the community by providing first aid response and reassured the city employees that they are not alone and we are here to help.
The safer streets officers I find are a massive help with not only theft and anti social behaviour but as a role within the city to help with first aid or whatever is needed for the public as well as businesses.
I have worked with a few BIDs over my different managerial roles around the midlands and I would like to say the work you and all your team put in is great to see and be part of.
Long may it continue.
CHris Mitchell, Sports DirecT
Since having Wayne working on the city centre as a business and personally we have felt secure and safe. Wayne is professional, efficient and an asset to the city centre and to retailers.
Belinda Jones, River Island
CITY ENHANCEMENTS
The BID has successfully installed infrastructure into Friar Street and New Street. Creating a feeling of safety through well-lit streets all year round via festoon lighting; creative aerial displays have been installed including the fabulous umbrellas and lampshades activations.
The BID continued these enhancements by adding additional infrastructure into The Shambles, allowing these three streets to have Christmas lighting for the first time.
Worcester BID have invested into the city wayfinding by enhancing and up-cycling existing infrastructure that had rusted or been tagged, and commissioning local artists to redesign and paint them.
This gave the directional signs a new lease of life and created a vibrant and attractive place.
As part of this project, we also commissioned artists to up-cycle electric boxes around the city centre. The street art has created a trail around the city and has discouraged antisocial behaviour as no artwork has been vandalised.
INVESTING IN EMPLOYEES
Worcester BID launched a business training programme to support businesses with compliance training. We have invested directly with local businesses to ensure their staff meet standards.
Training ranged from First Aid, Fire Marshal training to Food Hygiene. First Aid is the most popular course offered free to levy-paying businesses.
Annually we are training 320 businesses delegates 570
This course alone would normally cost the business £250 per person. This allows the BID to give real value and a service that saves the business money in staff investment while their overheads are high.
With our energy consumption, we needed to make sure we found the best rates possible, and Philip helped us to achieve our aim via the Worcester BID.
Dave Newey, Retroids
RAISING THE PROFILE
Worcester BID has also invested in becoming the Education and Community Partner with St Richards for The Big Parade in 2021 and the Waddle of Worcester in 2024.
Worcester BID has enabled local business involvement with the trails. We gave businesses the opportunity to enter a high demand lottery to have a baby sculpture within their window. Supporting to increase trade and visitors around the city streets.
Worcester BID funds and is responsible for creating all engaging content for the MakeitWorc and Visit Worcester social media channels.
Worcester BID is dedicated to securing additional grants and funding to further benefit the city and businesses. Over the five-year term we have been successful on all bids injecting an impressive £235,000 extra into the BID’s budget.
BID for WORCESTER BID US
We ran an extensive consultation process in March 2024 to communicate with all businesses who will be voting in the renewal ballot. A consultation document was produced that was distributed in hard copy and digital format. The printed version was distributed to 100% of business voters and was also made available on our website and emailed out.
Our fourth term will see us building on the strong foundations established over the past fifteen years. Your dedicated BID team will work to provide leadership and representation, to champion business within the city, and ensure a strong voice on the issues that matter most.
We will enhance the trading environment and experience further, generating tangible value and cost savings for businesses, promoting and supporting those living, working, and trading within the city - as well as inspiring new visitors to discover all we have to offer.
We will cover this under:
Safety Change
Success
If the BID ballot is not successful, there is no replacement body that will deliver the objectives, projects and services outlined in this proposal. This is why it is so important you ‘Vote 4 Yes’ in the ballot. Worcester BID is focused on delivering projects and services for your benefit, so it is important that we understand what is of greatest value to you.
£400K+ additional above levy income invested in BID projects
YOUR BID TEAM
ABBEY TOCCHINI
Communications & Engagement Lead
CRYSTAL THOMPSON
Richard NASH
what you get with a vote YES
worcester Bid Infrastructure
Over the past 15 years, Worcester BID has continuously adapted to new challenges and responded to the evolving needs of our businesses and city.
In our most recent term, we navigated the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, both of which strained our city’s statutory services and our businesses.
Despite these challenges, the BID has provided consistent support through a proactive and dedicated team.
We work tirelessly to bridge gaps within baseline agreements and deliver initiatives that go above and beyond the statutory requirements outlined below.
Increased Safety Measures City Enhancements
Safer Streets Officer programme
Safe Space medical team
Safe Space Officer
CityNet radio system
Disc
Additional street lighting
Purple Flag accreditation
Night Safety Charter
Pubwatch
Online training platform
STATUTORY SERVICES
Worcester City Council
Worcestershire County Council
West Mercia Police
Worcestershire Regulatory Services
City festoon and tree lighting
Street art
Graffiti removal
Year-round planters and landscaping
Wayfinding
City trails
Business window artwork
Staff Retention & Investment
Employee training programme
Members discount card
Maximising opportunities for both students and businesses to retain the skills within the city
Raising the Profile Business Voice
Leaders within industry standards
Demonstrating best practice nationally
Strong marketing campaigns
Targeted PR campaigns
Collaboration and city events
Local & national advertising
Business filming & professional photography
Member of the Towns Fund Board
Member of the Multi Agency Tasking Group
Member of Safer Worcester
Member of the District Collaborative
Member of Worcester Cares
Advisor for the Tourism Board
Ambassador for Ask for Angela
Member of the Worcestershire Ambassadors
Baseline Service Agreement
Gull control work
Car Parking & Environment Enforcement
Street CCTV cameras
Environmental Health Provision by WRS
Floral activity – summer hanging baskets
Litter bin provision, emptying and maintenance
Public conveniences
Public seating provision and maintenance
Street cleaning
Safer Neighbourhood Police team
WORKING together to deliver and maintain successful Purple Flag status for the city centre.
BID SAFETY
Developing our active and supportive role within the Safer Worcester working group, we will continue to manage and operate the Business Crime Safety Partnership CityNet and co-ordinate activities to support creating safer streets via an expanded Safer Streets Officer programme. This provides businesses with an extra level of support, as well as improving the experience for visitors to the city.
We will work with partners to develop and deliver an enhanced strategy for reducing antisocial behaviour in the city centre by creating shared spaces to give support to the community with a focus on youth engagement to invest in the future of our city.
Securing further investment to continue the running of Worcester Safe Space, expanding the programme from the night-time economy into the day-time, enhancing its offering to monthly healthcare checks, mental health support, dementia support, guidance and youth intervention.
Strengthening our sense of community and providing investments to the city allows both businesses and residents to benefit from the initiatives being delivered.
Worcester BID is the leading partner coordinating multiple agencies to work together to deliver and maintain successful Purple Flag status for the city centre. We will continue to lead the way and work with partners for continuous support to build a safe and vibrant night time economy.
We will expand our Safer Streets Officer hours into the early evening to cover areas of concern and vulnerability to employees during the period of 5pm and 8pm.
BID CHANGE
We are committed to supporting the commercial wellbeing of the city centre and our role is to give the business community a voice to influence decision and policy making across local government.
This will see us continuing to take an active position at a local level and across the wider BID network, helping drive change and improvement on national policy affecting members.
We will invest and improve areas of the city centre through enhancements. Cleaning up the city streets, focusing on areas with graffiti, lack of lighting, antisocial behaviour and accessibility.
We will work closely with partners to develop a strategy for Invest 4 Worcester to attract new companies into the city centre, as well as creating demand for new development. We will focus on reducing the visible impact of vacant units and supporting start-up businesses to flourish.
We will grow our opportunities for businesses to up-skill their workforce through a variety of workshops and accredited training programmes.
We’ll provide a coordinated and strong business voice on issues affecting working and conducting business in the city centre.
We will continue to work closely with our excellent local education establishments, maximising opportunities for both students and businesses.
We will monitor funding opportunities and look to maximise investment into Worcester City Centre, such as match funding for BID projects, grants for businesses or improvements to the wider city centre via the Towns Fund Board.
INVESTING AND IMPROVING AREAS OF THE CITY CENTRE THROUGH ENHANCEMENTS.
OFFER INTEGRATED AND VARIED WAYS FOR BUSINESSES TO BE INVOLVED IN SEASONAL CAMPAIGNS AND EVENTS.
BID SUCCESS
We will grow Worcester’s profile by developing fresh ideas to attract people to the city. We will create new opportunities for our members to produce and showcase their business to growing audiences, as well as through other print and online publications.
We will continue to invest in our seasonal campaigns and offer integrated and varied ways for businesses to be involved, be that through marketing, activities or events. This action will ensure we’re maximising busy periods of the year and boosting footfall during quieter periods.
We will collaborate with our partners at Visit Worcester and Visit Worcestershire to grow the visitor economy and develop large destination marketing projects.
We will look for opportunities to attract filming in the city centre to raise our profile nationally.
We will work with industry bodies such as The BID Foundation and Association of Town and City Management to keep updated nationally and to share best practices to keep us moving forward.
We will build loyalty amongst those who live, work or regularly visit Worcester – improving the visitor experience for all.
Upon opening, we met with Sam McCarthy of Worcester BID and were instantly impressed with the range of the offering of support that BID brings to businesses in the city. Since our first meeting, BID have supported us to produce marketing material, source suppliers, have social media training and of late enjoy two great networking events at The Kiln.
Andy Gallop, Hopmerchants
OUR BID BUDGET
4
For every £1, 80p is guaranteed to be spent on city and business investments via our projects.
GOVERNANCE
The management and governance of the BID is open and transparent and is accountable to the levy payers.
The Worcester BID operates as a company limited by guarantee, and as such, has a Board of Directors made up from BID levy payers. This Board takes responsibility for the strategic and financial management of the BID and will meet on a quarterly basis as a minimum.
The composition of the Board reflects the breakdown of the levy payers across the city centre. It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to ensure good governance of the BID.
Industry partners:
The management team will be a combination of salaried and contracted resource depending on the needs of the business during the term of the BID. The BID will enter into two legal agreements; with Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council.
A baseline agreement is in place, which sets out the minimum service standards to be delivered by Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council and a levy agreement between the BID and City Council will define the contractual arrangements for
the collection and enforcement of the BID levy collection. Responsibility for levy collection legally is with Worcester City Council, who has contracted out this service via The Local Authorities (contracting out of BID levy billing, collection and enforcement functions) Order 2005 to Worcester BID company to act as their agent. This contractual relationship is in line with the requirements of the BID legislation.
Copies of both agreements are available to be viewed at www.worcesterbid.com
our commitment to net zero
Over the next five years, we will collaborate with local businesses to work towards achieving a future of net zero in Worcester by implementing energy efficiency programmes, encouraging the adoption of renewable energy, and promoting sustainable transport solutions.
We will support comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programmes, advocate for green building standards, and introduce SuDS planters and rain gardens to manage stormwater sustainably.
Through these initiatives, we aim to create a greener, more sustainable business environment.
Net zero means balancing greenhouse gas emissions with their removal, achieving a carbon-neutral future. Urban areas contribute around 70% of the UK’s carbon emissions due to high commercial activity, energy use, and transport.
To meet the 2015 Paris Agreement goals of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, we must cut CO2 emissions by nearly half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Energy Efficiency Programmes
Implement energy audits to identify improvements and provide incentives for energy-efficient upgrades.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
Encourage renewable energy adoption through bulk purchasing and community projects.
Sustainable Transportation Solutions
Promote sustainable transport, working to increase EV charging station numbers, and support transportation sharing programmes.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Programmes
Introduce comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programmes, including campaigns to reduce single-use plastics.
Green Building Standards
Advocate for adapting green building standards through lobbying for incentives for the construction and retrofitting of buildings.
SuDS Planters and Rain Gardens
Install SuDS planters and rain gardens to manage stormwater and reduce flooding.
BALLOT DETAILS
Ballot papers will be delivered by post to all businesses eligible to vote on 3rd October 2024. The voter must cast their vote and return the ballot paper by 5pm on 31st October 2024.
The BID ballot will be successful if the following two criteria are met:
More than 50% of businesses that vote must vote YES by number.
Of the businesses who vote, the YES vote must represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of all votes cast.
A ballot of defined business rate payers in the BID area will take place from
October 3rd to 31st 2024
KEEPING UPDATED
An important part of our role is to give businesses the information and intelligence they need to stay ahead.
HOW WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED:
Email newsletters and updates
Annual reports and meetings
One-to-one business meetings
BID website and social media
Sector meetings and forums
LIFE WITHOUT
THE BID
What would losing Worcester BID mean to businesses in the city centre?
If Worcester BID is not successful in the ballot, all current activities and services will cease on 31st March 2025. There is no other organisation to deliver these projects, services and benefits on your behalf. Vote YES to keep Worcester BID. A NO vote means no investment of £2 million.
There is no replacement body that will deliver the objectives, projects and services outlined in this proposal.
An opportunity to invest ring fenced funding of over £2 million BID local investment into the city centre would be lost - a huge step backwards for our city.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I VOTE NO?
NO SAFETY
NO Safer Streets Officers
NO CityNet Radio scheme to connect retailers to CCTV and Police
NO crime partnership and loss prevention scheme
NO Safe Space medical team
NO Purple Flag and Best Bar None
NO Worcester Safety Charter
NO enhanced antisocial behaviour reduction operations
NO Change
NO employee investment programs via training
NO Invest 4 Worcester
NO voice on the Towns Fund Board
NO additional grants and funding
NO street infrastructure
NO festoon lighting
NO aerial displays
NO Christmas lighting in areas City Council do not cover
NO SUCCESS
NO window art
NO business filming
NO professional photography
NO Christmas in Worcester campaign
NO seasonal campaigns
NO media and PR
NO independent promotions
NO planters
NO loyalty schemes
NO city updates and opportunities
LEVY RULES
The levy rate will be fixed at 1.85% of rateable value as at 1st April 2025 based on the 2023 Rating List.
All new hereditaments entering the Rating List after 1st April 2025 will be levied at 1.85% of the prevailing list at the start of each chargeable year.
Any adjustments to the rateable values will only be applied to the BID levy at the fixed date of the subsequent chargeable year.
The levy is an annual charge payable in advance and no refunds will be made on the BID levy.
A threshold of £7,500 rateable value will be applied, exempting any business hereditament within the defined BID area falling below this rateable value.
There will be a cap on contributions from one hereditament to a maximum value of £20,000.
The BID levy may increase by an annual inflationary factor of up to 0.02% (i.e. up from 1.85% multiplier to 1.87% and so on). The Board will be required to decide on whether to apply the inflation factor each year.
In the case of empty or untenanted premises, the property owner (the subsequent eligible ratepayer) will be liable for the BID levy with no void period, and will be entitled to vote in the BID ballot.
Non-retail charities will be eligible to a BID levy reduction of 80% in year 1 followed by a staggered reduction of 5% annually (so year 2 will be 75% and so on).
Shopping centre tenants who are already subject to a service charge will pay a 1.6% levy.
VAT will not be charged on the BID levy.
The term of the BID will be five years from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2030.
If you are unsure about your rateable value, please visit the Valuation Office Agency website www.gov.uk/correctyour-business-rates or contact the VOA on 03000 501501.
Please note that the BID levy is separate to Business Rates payments and different rules do apply, e.g. if you are eligible for business rate relief, this will not have an impact on your BID levy.
You can find details about business rates on www.worcester.gov.uk/ business-rates.
WHERE WINS
£2 Million investment into the city
Safer Streets Officers
Safe Space with medical support
CityNet Business Crime Partnership
Stock Loss Reduction Partnership
City radio scheme connecting to CCTV and Police
Antisocial behaviour reduction plans and youth engagement
Purple Flag Accreditation
Worcester Safety Charter
City centre business voice
Invest 4 Worcester
Invest in your staff through training
Aerial displays and lighting
Marketing & promotion of businesses
locally, nationally and internationally
Seasonal campaigns
Independent promotions
Vote yes 4 safer streets & stronger communities.
BID 4 More. Invest 4 Worcester. 3rd - 31st October 2024
