BID Updates - Bristol BID - Press Releases

Bristol’s Business Improvement Districts unveil business plan to unite and expand operations

Three of Bristol’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have revealed their plans for a more united approach to uplifting the city

14/05/2025

Bristol City Centre, Redcliffe & Temple and Broadmead’s BID leaders have come together to share their plans for the unification and expansion of their districts in what is set to become Bristol BID, as outlined in their comprehensive new business plan.

Businesses across Bristol city centre are being asked to back a bold new vision for the city, as the three BIDs come together to combine into a singular, more powerful entity. If approved in the upcoming ballot from Thursday 5th June – Thursday 3rd July, the new BID will launch on 1 November 2025, investing up to £18 million over five years to shape a more vibrant, inclusive and resilient city centre.

Read our business plan

Bristol BID is a business-led partnership investing in a safer, greener, cleaner and more vibrant city centre, giving local businesses a powerful collective voice and delivering high-impact projects that make Bristol better for everyone. This united approach aims to create efficiencies, streamline service delivery and significantly enhance impact across the city centre.

With strong support from a wide network of businesses and city partners including Visit West, the Local Visitor Economy Partnership, and Bristol City Council, the new BID model is designed to elevate placemaking, public safety, sustainability, and business promotion at a city-wide level. The proposal outlines a model with the opportunity to generate up to £3.8 million annually from over 1,000 businesses, supported by modernised BID rules and governance.

The proposed BID will deliver targeted investments across four themes that reflect the city’s evolving needs. Under Safe & Supported Communities, the BID will expand existing street ranger services, crime reduction partnerships and homelessness support initiatives, while introducing new roles such as a Youth Services Officer and increasing night-time safety measures. The Sustainable & Green theme will drive improvements to the city’s public realm through greening projects like tree planting, wildflower meadows and green walls, alongside climate action support, sustainable travel schemes and harbour regeneration plans.

Experiences & Promotion will continue to build Bristol’s profile as a vibrant cultural destination, with a focus on flagship events such as the Bristol Light Festival, enhanced PR and digital marketing and the creation of a new Bristol Shopping platform. Meanwhile, the Clean & Welcoming theme will extend services including jet washing, graffiti removal, while introducing enhanced signage, improved visitor wayfinding and a new City Ambassador service to strengthen Bristol’s welcome. They will also be partnering with transport services to ensure that Bristol is welcoming whether visitors arrive by bus, train or car.

READ OUR BUSINESS PLAN

Steve Bluff, Director of Redcliffe & Temple BID, said:

“The Redcliffe and Temple area has evolved rapidly in recent years and we’ve shown what targeted BID investment can achieve. Uniting as Bristol BID would allow us to expand that success and ensure our growing business community is fully supported across the whole city centre.”

Vicky Lee, Director of Bristol City Centre BID, commented:

“This is a pivotal moment for Bristol. The opportunity to combine our resources and ambitions under one BID offers not only value for businesses but the chance to elevate the city’s national profile. This isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about vision, delivery and pride in our place.”

Vivienne Kennedy, Director of Broadmead BID, said:

“Broadmead has seen first-hand how collective action through a BID can transform an area. By joining forces, we can strengthen our voice, expand our services and ensure the retail heart of the city thrives for years to come.”

Bristol BID will be governed through the BID Advisory Board with support from themed working groups and the Visit West Operations Board, ensuring transparency and accountability at every level. The levy rules are built around fairness, with a £30,000 threshold, no caps and a 50% discount for registered charities.

If successful, the BID term will run from Saturday 1st November 2025 to Thursday 31st October 2030, with existing commitments for Bristol City Centre BID and Broadmead BID maintained through 2027 and 2028.

Images: Julian Preece Photography

DOWNLOADS

Bristol BID Business Plan

Bristol-BID-Business-Plan.pdf

Download

Bristol BID Draft Operating Agreement

Bristol-BID-Operating-Agreement-Clean-Draft.pdf