Derby businesses share views on plans to unite city’s BIDs

Businesses have shared their views on proposals to bring the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement Districts together.

Plans have been tabled to unite the BIDs – along with the Becketwell area – to form ‘Derby BID’.

Business owners, BID directors and city stakeholders recently attended a consultation meeting to learn more about the plans and discuss what they could mean for Derby.

Brad Worley, BID manager for St Peters Quarter BID and Cathedral Quarter BID, addressed attendees and explained how one Derby BID would bring together the strengths of the existing areas.

The proposed BID would represent nearly 1,000 businesses.

Supporters believe it would create a more joined-up approach to supporting the city centre and give businesses a stronger collective voice.

It would also provide a route for the services and investment currently delivered by the BIDs to continue when their existing terms end.

Fraser Cunningham, chair of the board of the Cathedral Quarter BID and partner at law firm Smith Partnership, said: “As one single BID, we can join together and be the voice for all the businesses. One voice is a loud voice.”

Simon Wildash, a director on the board of St Peters Quarter BID and managing director at Nielsen McAllister, in Green Lane, highlighted what Derby BID could achieve.

He said: “By combining what’s best in the Cathedral Quarter, St Peters Quarter and Becketwell we can work together and ensure we deliver the best possible value and impact for our levy payers.”

Businesses at the meeting also spoke about wanting to play an active role in the future of the city centre.

Milly Child, wellbeing practitioner, designated safeguarding lead and positive behaviour support lead at Bridge the Gap, in St Mary’s Gate, attended to hear more about the proposal.

She said: “As a team, we want to be involved in what happens in Derby. I think one BID sounds really positive and could really unite us all.”

For supporters of the proposal, its importance lies not only in what a unified BID could achieve, but also in the work the existing BIDs already carry out.

Jason Marshall, managing director at Foulds Guitars and a member of the Cathedral Quarter BID board of directors, said: “The BID’s work goes far beyond individual events.

“From the rangers, business support, flower displays, Christmas lights and wayfinding, through to first aid courses, community initiatives, artwork and improvements to the appearance and safety of the city centre, it makes a very real difference.”

Feedback gathered throughout the consultation process will help shape the final proposal ahead of the Derby BID ballot, which opens on 15 October.