What separates a successful Business Improvement District (BID) from an ineffective one?

🔍 Topics include:
✔ The core characteristics of a strong BID
✔ Challenges & criticisms of BIDs—and how to address them
✔ The impact of data, communication & transparency
✔ How Vicinity CRM helps BIDs engage businesses & improve outcomes

If you're involved in a BID or want to understand their impact on places, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Hit play now.

#Podcast #BIDs #Placemaking #BusinessEngagement

As public services face increasing financial pressures, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are stepping up to fill the gaps. But where’s the line between “essential” and “additional” services? 🤔

In this episode, we dive into:
✅ The original purpose of BIDs and the importance of "additionality"
✅ The impact of declining public sector funding on town centres
✅ Real-world examples of BIDs navigating this challenge
✅ Practical strategies for maintaining focus while adapting to change

Join us as we explore this critical issue and share advice for BIDs facing these pressures. 🎧

In the debut episode of Vicinity and Beyond, Henry Jinman, CEO of Vicinity, is joined by Dr. Julie Grail,  BID expert from the BIDs business. They dive into the complexities of levy collection, exploring why it often falls short of expectations and how this impacts BID managers. Together, they discuss an alternative—self-billing which Julie has already proven with the BID in Worcester and is now working with Vicinity to roll out to more BIDs across the country. Tune in to discover how this new approach could improve data accuracy, speed and total levy collected, improve relationships with levy-payers and significantly reduce costs.