City Bid needs your thoughts
BUSINESSES will get the chance next month to have their say on how best to promote Sunderland city centre.
The team behind Sunderland’s new Business Improvement District ( Bid) is holding a series of themed workshops in the run- up to April’s launch, giving businesses a chance to say what areas they want the Bid to target in its first year.
The first will be held at the Sunderland Software Centre from 6pm on Wednesday, November 13, and will focus on marketing.
The need for more and better marketing of the city centre was one of the main concerns highlighted during the ballot process earlier this year and the Bid Business Plan already contains a number of marketing activities that will be led by the Bid over its minimum five- year life span.
Bid steering group chairman Andy Bradley outlined progress at a meeting of the North East Chamber of Commerce Sunderland area committee.
The search was on for a permanent home and a new chief executive, he said.
“We need to identify premises in the city centre and we have got our eye on one or two places.”
The search for a chief executive had been under way for some time.
“We have been working behind the scenes for months, putting in place the specifications,” said Mr Bradley.
“We are looking for somebody that can work at the highest level, somebody that can work with our retailers and understand the challenges that we have.
The team would also be looking for representatives from all sectors of business represented in the Bid area. Co- operation was key to making the scheme work.
“It is about having people working together properly, that is what we need,” said Mr Bradley.
“They will be there to say, ‘ This is what the businesses are telling us, this is what we need to deliver.’”
Anyone who wants to take part in next month’s marketing workshop should email info@ bidsunderland. co. uk to register for a place.