Colchester BID on how city is thriving after pandemic

Colchester’s Business Improvement District is approaching the end of its five year term.

A BID is an area in which a levy is charged on all business rate payers in addition to the business rates bill.

This levy is then used to develop projects which will benefit businesses in the area.

Colchester’s BID came into effect just a couple of years before the Covid pandemic

However, bosses have stressed the BID has “taken every opportunity to step up and provide support” during that time.

Boss - BID Manager Sam Good (Image: N/A)

Colchester BID Manager Sam Good said: “Since being voted in by the businesses of Colchester city centre in 2018, our Colchester BID has supported the new city centre through potentially the toughest time for businesses in a generation.

“From a nationwide lockdown due to the pandemic in March 2020, a cost-of-living crisis, energy crisis, and everything in between, the BID has taken every opportunity to step up and provide support where needed, carefully listening to the specific needs of our businesses and other organisations within Colchester city centre.

“The BID has enabled investment of more than £2.5million into the city centre through the BID levy accompanied by an additional income through external funding of over £865,000.”

Mr Good outlined what he believes are some of the best achievements and successes of the BID so far.

He said: “We have now delivered two extremely successful business awards programmes, delivered more than 150 planters across the city centre each year to enhance the place with more greening as well as delivering the first parklets in Essex, implementing more seating space for the public.

Event - BID bosses say they have delivered two extremely successful business awards programmes (Image: Colchester BID)

“The BID has delivered more than £75,000 worth of funding to events to deliver a great calendar of events, including Colchester Pride, Colchester Fringe Festival, Invasion, Anti-Loo Roll Brigade Festival and much more.

“There has also been the management of city centre Christmas programme of events including last year’s Christmas Light Parade and late Wednesday programme.

Lights - the Colchester Christmas events were a big hit last year (Image: Colchester BID)

He continued: “There has also been the formation of Leisure Recovery Board and launch of Leisure Recovery Strategy, attracting more than £250,000 of investment in its first six months.

“Essex's first innovative giving campaign to divert giving to local charities supporting those with street-based lifestyles or homeless, Tap2Change. 

Help - the Tap2Change was a big success (Image: Colchester BID)

“And more than £350,000 worth of investment into our Indie Vision to support our independent businesses.”

However, one thing Mr Good particularly detailed was how the BID worked through the pandemic, a period where the business sector was hit hard.

He said: “As a BID, we committed to being our businesses guide through what has clearly been the most challenging period for businesses in a generation.

“We immediately launched the Colchester Covid-19 taskforce formed of businesses and stakeholders to commit to a recovery strategy that merged resources and maximised outcomes.

“With a strong independent sector, we supported businesses to gain access to more than £150,000 worth of Covid-19 related grants they were not aware they could access.

“Colchester has recovered from Covid-19 at a faster rate to other towns and cities due to our independent sector having the ability to adapt with speed and ensure versatility. 

“Since the pandemic, Colchester has seen more openings than closures.”

Now, after what the BID deems a strong start to its tenure supporting Colchester, it is looking ahead to the next five years as the ballot vote for its future is to be voted on soon.