Vicinity and Beyond!

🚀 “Every episode is basically Henry trying to build a spaceship out of BID levies… and Julie gently reminding him he needs planning permission first.”

Season One of Vicinity and Beyond! has been quite a ride. From self-billing and service creep to evidence-based decision-making and whether our podcast needs a CPD code (!), we’ve laughed, debated and reflected on the evolving role of Business Improvement Districts.

In this special live-recorded episode, we take stock of the season, the sector — and ourselves.

🎙️ Recorded at Podcast in Person, hosted by The Fitzrovia Partnership and ARUP.

#BIDs #PlaceManagement #Governance #PublicPolicy #VicinityAndBeyond

In this episode of Vicinity and Beyond, Henry Jinman and Dr. Julie Grail dive into a fast-evolving issue: Are Accommodation BIDs (ABIDs) becoming victims of their own success?

We explore:
✅ Comments and updates since our last episode—especially Liverpool’s shift in model
✅ Practical advice for placemakers and BIDs considering ABID models
✅ The tricky question: could ABIDs pave the way for city-wide tourist taxes that ultimately make them obsolete?

📌 Key questions we tackle:
– What’s happened in Liverpool and why it matters
– Do tourist taxes threaten the future of ABIDs?
– What if ABIDs prove tourist taxes don’t hurt tourism?
– And what should BIDs and placemakers do now to prepare?

Plus: We share practical tips for BIDs looking to creating an ABID and engaging hotels.

__________
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Comments
4:30 Hotel Ts&Cs
12:40 Liverpool ABID
20:00 Supplementing BID revenue
22:40 ABIDs - our predictions
26:20 Engaging hotels
28:00 Ring-fencing revenue
35:00 Conclusion
___________

📢 In this episode of Vicinity and Beyond!, Dr Julie Grail and Henry Jinman tackle one of the most talked-about issues in the BID world today: electronic voting. Is it time to move beyond paper ballots?

Join us as we explore what digital transformation could mean for Business Improvement Districts — and what’s standing in the way.

🎙️ In this episode:

- Why the current postal BID ballot system is seen as outdated
- What UK law allows (and doesn’t) when it comes to e-voting
- Real-world lessons from Trade Unions, Estonia, Canada, and Europe
- How data privacy, security, and auditability can be safeguarded
- What a future UK BID e-ballot could actually look like
- The risks, opportunities, and policy changes needed for reform

Whether you're a BID manager, local authority, or policymaker, this episode is essential listening for anyone shaping the future of UK town and city centres.

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on BIDs, place management, and digital innovation.

#BusinessImprovementDistrict #BIDs #ElectronicVoting #DigitalDemocracy #PlaceManagement #LocalGovernment #CivicTech #VicinityAndBeyond

Placemaking Across Borders: A Conversation with Rachel Braithwaite (OBIAA)

In this international edition of the Vicinity Podcast, we’re joined by Rachel Braithwaite, Executive Director of the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), to explore how placemaking, governance, and business engagement differ—and align—across the UK and Canada.

🌎 What we cover:
• Rachel’s journey into the world of BIAs and her future role at OBIAA
• The key differences between UK BIDs and Ontario BIAs
• How levies are structured and collected in Canada
• Accountability, stakeholder trust, and transparency in BIA operations
• Cultural and regional dynamics, including Indigenous engagement
• The future of BIAs: innovation, equity, and digital transformation

💡 Whether you're part of a BID in the UK or a BIA in Canada, this episode is packed with insight into what makes placemaking work—and why local context matters.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on governance, place management, and local economic leadership.

#Placemaking #BIDs #BIAs #VicinityPodcast #LocalLeadership #OBIAA

Welcome to this special bonus episode of Vicinity and Beyond, your go-to podcast for place management professionals. In this briefing, we’re highlighting key areas of focus for new BID Board members and offering a practical refresher for the seasoned pros.

Being on a BID Board is a privilege—and a responsibility. This episode is packed with guidance to help you thrive in your role, including:

✅ What makes a BID successful
 ✅ The statutory duties and responsibilities you now hold
 ✅ The 11 industry standards that define a well-run BID
 ✅ The six key characteristics of outstanding BIDs
 ✅ And the smart questions every board member should be asking

You’ll also get valuable insights on governance, legal compliance, financial oversight, and how to build trust and transparency with levy payers. Plus, we share top tips on how to collaborate effectively, lead with integrity, and keep your BID future-ready.

🗣️ BID Managers: Share this episode with your new and existing board members as part of their induction or ongoing development—it’s designed to empower them with the knowledge and confidence to lead effectively from day one.

Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, there’s something here for everyone. So hit play, take notes, and help your BID thrive.

🔔 Subscribe to Vicinity and Beyond on YouTube and your favourite podcast platforms for more expert insights on placemaking, leadership, and BID best practices.

Let’s make our places better—together.

How do we make evidence based decisions?

What makes a Business Improvement District truly successful? In this episode, we explore how to measure the impact of a BID, looking beyond tick-box compliance to real-world value for levy-payers.

Henry Jinman plays the role of a BID manager pitching projects to Dr Julie Grail. Will he get any approved? 

✅ Real project examples and how to evaluate their success
✅ How to track ROI and engagement using tools like Vicinity
✅ Challenges for smaller BIDs and why support structures matter

💬 Featuring insights from BID leaders including Carolyn Brownell, Jill Farnsworth and Sophie Alexander.

🎧 COMING SOON: A bonus 10-min episode for new BID Board members—“Welcome to the Board.”

📢 Subscribe for more episodes exploring best practice in placemaking, governance, and business engagement.

#BIDs #Placemaking #Governance #EconomicDevelopment #VicinityPodcast

Podcast 4 - What is Good Governance? 🎧

A well-run Business Improvement District (BID) depends on strong governance—but what does that mean in practice? In this episode, we explore the key standards, legal obligations, and best practices for BID governance.

🔍 Topics include:
✔ The 11 governance standards recommended by The BID Foundation
✔ The role & legal duties of BID Directors
✔ Transparency, financial accountability & conflict management
✔ Common governance mistakes & how to avoid them

If you’re involved in BIDs, this episode is a must-listen! Hit play now.

#Podcast #BIDs #Governance #BusinessEngagement

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.