City centre businesses back Bid for five years
£4.5 MILLION TO BE INVESTED IN
BUSINESSES in the city centre have voted in favour of a second term for the Business Improvement District (Bid).
The Bid’s second term will begin in February with a five-year plan focusing on raising the profile of the city through a programme of high-quality events and marketing, creating a cleaner, greener and safer environment, and providing a stronger business voice.
The Bid board said the yes vote – which won 89 per cent support – will see £4.5 million invested in the city centre over the next five years.
The area covered by the Bid will expand to encompass part of the Waterside, including Lane 7 on the foirmer Grand Central Station site.
Simon Jenner, Bid Leicester director, said “We would like to thank our members for this fantastic vote of confidence, which highlights the Bid’s impact in the city centre and is a testament to their support of our vision for the following five years.
“The vote is a sign of commitment from city centre businesses to the power of working in partnership and recognises the Bid’s important role as a collective voice for the city centre.
“Bid Leicester is incredibly proud of what it has achieved in its first term and the quality of the projects, campaigns and events that have been delivered.
“We’re enthusiastically looking forward to another five years.”
BID Leicester chairman and McDonalds franchise owner Angus Fraser said: “The Bid’s success in securing a second term is great news for Leicester city centre.
“As a city centre business owner, I have experienced the direct impact that the Bid has had on the city centre; from increased footfall and sales during Bid-sponsored events such as Light up Leicester and Bring the Paint, to an improvement in the attractiveness and cleanliness of the city overall due to Bid initiatives and additional street washing services.
“Leicester has achieved a strong recovery in the wake of the pandemic, and this collaborative investment in the city centre will help to ensure that the city goes from strength to strength.”