The BID Foundation (TBF) was established in January 2018 following a UK-wide consultation within the industry, which revealed the need for an independent body to provide an authoritative voice for business improvement districts (BIDs).

___

At a critical juncture in BIDs' growth and development, a group of BIDs selected the Institute of Place Management to help develop the body that would be industry-led. With a working title of the BIDs Alliance, the organisation emerged as The BID Foundation and has been developed through the dynamic input of members, in particular those who have agreed to serve on The BID Foundation Council.

___

Support for a maturing industry

There are over 300 BIDs across the UK and Ireland, serving major cities, town centres, commercial and industrial areas, business parks, and more recently tourism destinations.

BIDs invest over £100m in their local areas around the UK. They play a vital role in place based communities and The BID Foundation supports our BID Members to serve their levy payers, work with government at all levels, and learn from each other.

We help BIDs to answer key questions:

  • How can BIDs best demonstrate the value for money they offer businesses and other levy payers?

  • How can BIDs demonstrate their importance to local and central government so that they are valued and core partners in local policy making and action?

  • How can BIDs be effective partners community and public/private initiatives that bring new resources to an area?

  • How should BIDs adapt to the changing environment in which they operate so they remain effective, valued and trusted?

  • How should the BID model evolve to engage more stakeholders and ensure BIDs are resilient?

___

Our work 

From securing emergency funding for BIDs and Co-Chairing the High Streets Task Force Sector Leaders Group, to 28 support webinars and guidance on a range of technical and strategic issues, catch up on The BID Foundation's work in 2020.

Download our 2020 recap

Our Work 2020

 

___

If BIDs are to maintain their impact on the places they serve and deliver for the businesses that fund them in the longer term, then they need to adapt and innovate. The BID Foundation has been established to provide the strategic direction and specialist support this requires.

 

Download our 2023 TBF brochure (PDF).

 

Back to top