Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) has unveiled an ambitious five-year plan to make the area a more welcoming and safer place while also attracting new business, investment and people.
The vision, for the period up to 2027, will be implemented if the BID is successfully voted back in by its levy payers in a ballot this September. 
Projects would include campaigns, initiatives, partnerships and events across four strategic themes – enhancing, protecting, promoting and supporting.
These would build on innovative and strategic initiatives introduced by the BID since it was launched in 2017, using the £5m raised from its levy on businesses in the area, alongside additional grants and funding worth £500,000.
These have included a seven-days a week cleansing team to remove graffiti and deep clean businesses property and frontages, a number of safety and crime reduction initiatives and the set up and co-ordination of Bristol’s first Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP).
Innovative events and campaigns to attract visitors to the city centre have included Bristol Light Festival, pictured below, Hearts in Parks, Christmas Adventures and the annual festive lights.
Head of Bristol City Centre BID Vicky Lee said: “Over the past five years we have introduced and delivered projects that address business needs and increase footfall and visitors to the city centre, supporting businesses through some very challenging times, and we want to do even more in our second term. 
“We have a fantastic opportunity over the next five years to build on our successes and further support city centre businesses on the road to recovery and beyond, by connecting and representing the business community, delivering projects and partnerships that help improve safety, and by shining a light on our city for tourism, education, and investment.
“Our vision is a better Bristol for all. A city where businesses can thrive, people want to live, work and visit. A city that is safe for all to enjoy whatever time of day or night, and a place that is welcoming and appealing to everyone.
“This is what our business plan promises to deliver and what a second term of Bristol City Centre BID will mean for the city centre and it’s businesses.”
Details of the four strategic themes will take include:
Enhancing - by delivering projects that attract investment and talent, create a greener, cleaner and more attractive city centre, and bring visitors, employees and residents back into the heart of the city. This will include:
- Staging the annual Bristol Light Festival to drive footfall at an otherwise quieter time of the year to deliver economic impact for city centre businesses
- Staging events and activities that attract new audiences and create reasons to spend leisure time in the city
- Helping equip businesses to reduce environmental impact on their journey to Net Zero
- Funding and delivering Light Up Christmas with festive lighting and events to support retail and hospitality
- Continuing the seven-day-a-week street cleansing service.
Protecting – by investing to reduce, challenge and raise awareness of crime and anti-social behaviour to protect city centre businesses, visitors and residents both day and night. This will include:
- Further developing BCRP to bring together the police, businesses and city council in addressing crime
- Improving connectivity to deliver collective and connected responses for businesses
- Continuing a dedicated Streetwise Support Officer and TAP for Bristol
- Supporting the night-time economy by representing their voice to influence citywide strategy
- Challenging negative perceptions and raise awareness of continual efforts to increase safety in the city centre.
Promoting - with a collaborative approach to delivering innovative campaigns, events, activations and communications to promote Bristol. Celebrating everything that makes Bristol a special place to work, study and live. This will include:
- Engaging and attracting consumers to support footfall and sales in levy paying businesses
- Highlighting benefits of working in the city to attract and retain staff for levy paying businesses
- Promoting achievements of levy payers to the wider business community and consumers
- Adding value to each business sector by supplementing promotional activity and showcasing Bristol businesses
Supporting - by acting as a single point of contact to represent levy payers, leverage investment, influence strategy and support the business community. This will include:
- Representing levy payers’ voice by targeting and engaging key groups that will best benefit and provide representation at strategic planning meetings
- Cost-saving procurement to deliver services and systems at reduced costs
- Attracting sponsorship fund to invest or sponsor opportunities that would make a difference to businesses and the city centre
- Leveraging investment through partnership working and seeking opportunities through grants, sponsorship and central government funding.
