Businesses in the Redcliffe and Temple area of Bristol city centre are being urged to vote for it to become a Business Improvement District (BID) in a ballot put back by six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Destination Bristol, the city’s destination marketing organisation behind the ballot, says a ‘yes’ vote would result in more than £5m of investment for the area over the term of the BID. 
It believes that as businesses navigate a challenging future, the BID would be critical to help them recover from the effects of the pandemic by funding improvements to the area.
Destination Bristol, which already operates the successful Broadmead and Bristol City Centre BIDs, says its aim is to make Redcliffe and Temple an inspirational, sustainable and welcoming place for businesses, employees, visitors and residents; for it to be known as a thriving commercial district and an outstanding community which all involved are proud to be a part of.
The proposed new BID would cover an area stretching from the edge of Castle Park to Temple Circus and from Broad Plain in Old Market to Redcliffe Hill.
Consultation with businesses in the area began in February 2019, giving them an opportunity to have an input into the proposals through a series of individual meetings, surveys, and workshops.
This culminated in a business plan outlining how the BID would respond to the priorities identified by local businesses with a structured and costed plan.
The postal ballot will take place between March 18 and April 15.
If successful, the BID will focus on five themes:
- Creating and maintaining quality spaces
- Improving sustainability and the environment
- Creating and promoting a vibrant place
- Connecting and representing businesses
- Building a safe and caring community.
Redcliffe & Temple BID development manager Jo Hawkins has been leading the project with the assistance of Tom Swithinbank.
Jo managed the Broadmead BID for 15 years, working with retailers to maintain the appeal of the city centre’s main shopping destination.
She said: “Many of the projects in the business plan were suggested by businesses before the pandemic started and all focus on making the area a better place for everyone. Recent consultation has revealed that they are now even more important.
“Like all city centres, Bristol will continue to evolve, it will remain a critical hub for people and for businesses. The Redcliffe & Temple BID will give us the opportunity to work together towards a tangible and effective recovery.”
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel general manager Imran Ali, a member of the BID advisory group, added: “Destination Bristol has a proven track record for implementing two very successful BIDs in Bristol.
“I am excited to be part of this new BID which will focus on co-ordinating improvements, caring for the public realm and promoting the area – all of which will benefit my guests and my staff.
“I see the BID and the projects proposed by the BID as a key part of the area’s future as we respond to the challenges of Covid-19.”
If the ballot gives the go-ahead, all eligible businesses – irrespective of how they voted – will be required to pay 1.5% of their rateable value towards the BID.
Those already contributing to a managed space will receive a 50% discount to account for the services already provided to them as part of their management charge.
A management board from the area will be formed to oversee, guide and manage the direction of the BID, with representatives from businesses encouraged to join working groups to influence BID projects and ensure that business needs are met.
More than 320 BIDs are operating in the UK, with five in Bristol covering the city centre, Broadmead, Bedminster, Clifton Village and Cater Business Park in Bishopsworth, South Bristol.
A BID covering Gloucester Road ended in 2019 following a ballot in which a majority of its businesses chose not to continue with it.
The Redcliffe & Temple BID would include many of the city centre’s prime up-and-coming and recently established development schemes including Finzels Reach, now nearing completion on the former Courage Brewery site, the mixed-use Glassfields and Assembly Bristol schemes on Temple Way, and Soapworks in Old Market.
For more information about the proposed Redcliffe & Temple BID, contact jo@redcliffeandtemplebid.co.uk or visit www.redcliffeandtemplebid.co.uk
