October's Insight from Chris Turner


This month’s Insight continues to reflect the horrors of the economy during the pandemic. Many BIDs across the four administrations have already been subject to new lockdowns and completely unexpected closures of pubs, bars and restaurants after many months spent opening them and making them safe.

Premises in the new tiered system in England are facing tough new Covid-19 restrictions amid fears the disease is spiralling out of control. The new three-tier lockdown strategy has been brought in as infection rates continue to soar in cities such as Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. The move is another body-blow for the hard-pressed hospitality industry in the regions already reeling from the imposition of the controversial 10pm curfew. For many this has been catastrophic and reinforces the fear that many of our town centres will never return to the sort of normality that we were used to. The north of England feels very harshly treated and not just because 15 million people have been under tighter restrictions for weeks while the south has enjoyed something closer to normal life. Ironically, BIDs in smaller towns or suburbs, with many working from home and relishing the idea of the 20-minute town and the kindness economy, are performing better than expected, with takings in some specialist shops and restaurants outperforming last year’s pre-Covid levels.

For those in BIDs who need access to the local data sets they are available here, by upper and lower tier local authorities and here, for greater granularity by middle super output areas at. The current data is best accessible at the BBC site here.

Despite the pandemic, there is still much policy and development work taking place, with British BIDs responding to a range of government policy documents. We are currently involved in the issues around Community Improvement Districts and the way that BIDs as we know them may well have to work even more closely with our local communities. For many this will not be difficult; work over the pandemic with local authorities, the police, hospitals and residents and community groups has reinforced the vital role that BIDs play in many of their communities. Both Power to Change here and the Centre for London here are engaged in this.

Business support activities continue to grow in number, and Barclays are doing much by way of free accessible workshops and webinars to support BIDs in particular. Their Eagle Labs have a range of courses here. There is also an opportunity to join a bespoke webinar brought to you by Barclays, where you can find out more about the changing world of business payments and how the current environment has impacted businesses. If you would like to take part in this event please email  Jacqui.wardle2@barclayscorp.com to register your interest by close of business on 30th October 2020.  She is looking forward to hearing from you and supporting your BID.

Bb continues with its training programme – the new Diploma in BID Leadership is in full swing, the Certificate in BID Management is recruiting for next year, the annual conference is on November 5th with details here.

The events industry, which many of us use throughout the year, are highlighting their plight to government by way of the #WeMakeEvents campaign, which is calling on government to provide greater support for the live events industry in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, held a ‘day of creative action’ on September 30th and more will follow. They need our support and you can find more information here.

We have had much feedback from BIDs about the impact of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) and the taking over of inappropriate buildings, the loss of business space and the poor quality of the results. The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has now announced that all new homes in England delivered through any PDR must meet space standards. PDRs allow existing buildings to be converted into housing without the need to go through a full planning application. The homes instead go through a lighter touch ‘prior approval’ process. Mr Jenrick said that these rights make an ‘important contribution’ to delivering housing, with over 60,000 homes provided over the last four years. Local authorities are generally critical of PDRs because – they argue – the rights undermine the ability of local planning departments to ensure all housing is up to a decent standard. The measures announced today will mean that all new homes in England delivered through PDRs will in the future have to meet the Nationally Described Space Standard. This is clearly good news for many.

Ballots are starting again, and we now have eight ballots coming up in the next quarter which we will clearly track and keep an eye on to see how this horrendous Covid-19 pandemic has affected levy payers’ attitudes. The next three coming up are Nottingham, Ulverston and Felixstowe and our Ballot Watch will give full details of their outcomes as they emerge.

We are at the final stages of two major projects – the Rocket Science work ‘Shaping the Future’, and the annual survey of the BID industry. My thanks to the many BIDs who have taken part in these two, and we are writing them up now. The first tranche of results will be part of the Virtual National BIDs Conference on November 5th and we shall produce a full report as soon as possible thereafter


Professor Christopher Turner, Chief Executive, British BIDs


Latest Articles

NOVEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

OCTOBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

SEPTEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

AUGUST INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

JULY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

APRIL INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

MARCH INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

DESIGN YOUR SCHEME READY FOR A SUCCESSFUL RESULT

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

FEBRUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

JANUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

DECEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

NOVEMBER'S INSIGHT BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

10 key considerations from The National BIDs Conference

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

October's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

A PRO-BUSINESS (AND NOT SO MINI) BUDGET FROM OUR NEW CHANCELLOR

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

September's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

National BID Awards 2022

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

August's insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

July's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Leadership race: Businesses need competent hands on the tiller

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

JUNE'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Greening our cities

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

MAY'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Bringing back The Golden Mile in Belfast

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Industrial BID Members to meet at Penrith Industrial BID

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

HINCKLEY BID: Attracting visitors through our annual pancake race

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Bb joins national campaign to encourage workers back to offices

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

TURNING BUSINESS FOOD WASTE INTO VEGETABLES IN BOURNEMOUTH

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BACK TO PLAN A, NOW NO MORE TO-ING AND FRO-ING!

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Businesses need clarity from government in 2022

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Over 100 destinations urge UK government to deliver 'business booster

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

December's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Plan B: £4bn Loss Predicted for hospitality sector

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Small Business Saturday Spotlight: BRINGING FAMILIES TO TOWN WITH THE HELP OF SNOW QUEENS AND ICE FAIRIES

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Small Business Saturday: Wizard of Oz comes to Saffron Walden

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Small Business Saturday spotlight: Hidden crackers in Nottingham

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs and The Means are delighted with GO! Southampton BIDs successful ballot

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs to welcome new BIDs to the Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

November's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Unemployment is falling, but our recovery is patchy

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

National BIDs Conference 2021

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Budget 2021 - letter to Chancellor

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

October's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

High street app attracts thousands of visitors to Lanark

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Getting back on track

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

August's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

The future health of our High Street Businesses

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

July's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Freedom day is coming… and BIDs are performing an incredible public service

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BIDlife

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Our rapidly evolving workspaces

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs appointed to support Swindon renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

May's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Indoor service please

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

ACT NOW FOR A STAND-OUT LIGHTING DISPLAY THIS WINTER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Evidence to The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on Permitted Development Rights

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Amazon clicks and thirsty punters… now for business rates

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Welcome people back to your high street with Plantscape’s floral displays

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

High streets a part of life?

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BIDlife - Send us your reopening photos

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

April's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil BID and Northfield BID achieve Accreditation

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Maybe* - 7 ways to reconnect with your BID levy payers and their customers

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

March’s ballot results – a congratulations from British BIDs

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Ballot Buddy helps achieve a new term for Sheffield BID

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs meets with UK's largest national chains

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Retail repositioning continues

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Colour and animation for magical lights this Christmas - GALA LIGHTS

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

The recovery Budget delivered, where now for our towns and cities?

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

£1bn Towns Fund for 45 areas in England announced

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

February ballot results – a congratulations from the British BIDs team

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Letter on proposed new Permitted Development Rights

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Watford BID overcoming the challenges to secure a ‘YES’ vote

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID ballots during lockdown

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Business Interruption Policy Checker, Christmas Support Payments and Lockdown Guidance and elections

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

The headlines are gloomy, but our future evolved local high street looks exciting

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

As we lose a retail icon, we must embrace the change

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Digital trends in 2021

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs discuss crime prevention

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Government names 72 high streets in England to share £831m recovery fund

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

A look back on 2020 BID ballots

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

December's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

#BIDlife - putting the spotlight on our towns and cities!

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

How can and should BIDs be more community focused?

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Christmas lights provide feel-good factor in challenging times

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Welsh guidance about the coronavirus rules that will be in place from 6pm Friday 4 December

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Repurposing our places for the future

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Arcadia Group – Guidance for BIDs, 1 December 2020

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Calling on the Government to do more to support Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Increase your footfall over the festive period - Blachere Illumination

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

The shop local and loyal revolution from Scottish fintech Miconex with Town and City Gift Cards and Mi Rewards

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

November's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

LoyalFree: The high street app helping businesses trade through the lockdown

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID community prepares for second lockdown

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Job Support Scheme expanded to firms required to close due to Covid Restrictions

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 1st November 2020

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs congratulates confirmed areas to receive new Town Deals Fund

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Paul Clement steps down from British BIDs after long-standing service

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs congratulates Melanie Beck on being awarded MBE for ‘Services to the Community’ during Covid-19

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BIDs in the news

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs share best practice

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs requests extension of 'Eat out To Help Out' Scheme

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

​Bb requests further BID term extension from MHCLG

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Bb to launch new research entitled 'Shaping the Future'

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Your Pontypridd Receives Accreditation

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

August's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Levy reduction letter from BIDs - download the template

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Local lockdowns and areas of interventions: how to prepare

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs' response on levy payments

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs supports Business Resilience Survey

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Get involved in our response to Government

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Preparing for localised lockdown webinar follow up

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Look back on lockdown - BIDs (part 2)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

July's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Webinar with high street expert Bill Grimsey

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Ruth Duston joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Towns Fund – updated guidance

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Look back on lockdown - BIDs

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

From BBC news, to virtual meetings & training, we reflect on the past 3 months

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BBC News Channel - Professor Christopher Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Industrial and Business Park BIDs share good practice with virtual networking sessions

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

New research on BIDs and the 'new normal'

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Important announcement: MHCLG BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Ed Cooke joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #9 (W/C 18TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #8 (W/C 11TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

3R Toolkit; Driving recovery in your place

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #7 (W/C 4TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BIDs Advisory Board welcome Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #6 (W/C 27TH APRIL)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs announces new research into the recovery of BIDs and urban centres in the ‘new normal’

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs Announces BIDs Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Government lobbying for BID levy relief during COVID-19

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #5 (W/C 20TH APRIL)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs expands Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Sidcup BID achieve British BIDs Accreditation

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Government Survey - your help needed by 22nd April

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

That Was The Bb Week That Was #4 (W/C 13th april)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

COVID-19 - Job Retention Scheme Update

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

That Was The Bb Week That Was #3 (W/C 6th April)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

That Was The Bb Week That Was #2 (W/C 30th March)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs' Ballot Buddy helps secure a 'yes' vote for West Bromwich BID

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

The Coronavirus Act 2020 and what it means for BIDs

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

That Was The Bb Week That Was #1 (w/c 23rd March)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID levy payments and COVID-19

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

New Q&A sessions announced

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Communications support for BIDs

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs Guidance - Q&A

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Business Improvement Districts and their Coronavirus Response

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Join our live Q&A session this Friday

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

COVID-19: An update for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs' response to the Chancellor's Budget

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs launches new Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Sunak urged to reform rates that ‘hammer’ local retailers

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs partners with Welsh Government

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Business Rates - a representation to the Chancellor for the 2020 Budget

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

New year, new Christmas

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

January's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Celebrate our 10th birthday with us

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs support Plymouth City Centre BID at renewal campaign launch

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

December's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

November's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Digital Lego Trail successful boost to the City Centre

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Can your BID assist school/college leavers in their area to obtain employment locally?

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

October's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

September's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

August's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

July's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

June's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs appointed to support West Bromwich BID for renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs appointed to support Sheffield BID with 2020 renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

May's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

April's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Debenhams Administration - Guidance for BIDs

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

March's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID Loan Fund Workshops with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee - New Policy Issues

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Celebrating 25 Years in Christmas Lighting - Gala Lights

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

February's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

InLinkUK - New to our Suppliers Portal

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JANUARY

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - DECEMBER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Thank you to our British BIDs members

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - NOVEMBER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Autumn Budget 2018: Highlights for the BID industry

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - OCTOBER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

British BIDs appointed to support South Bank BID with 2019 renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Faster broadband underpins UK BIDs - Openreach

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

National BIDs Conference by Ben Collins

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - SEPTEMBER

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Is slow broadband hindering your business and do you want to do something about it?

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - AUGUST

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Do Your BID’s Lights Need A Refresh?

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JULY

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Applications for the 2018 Great British High Streets Awards are now open!

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Launch of the Second Grimsey review

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Launch of the Great British High Street Awards 2018

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JUNE

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MAY

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT INDUSTRY CELEBRATES 300 BIDS

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

Check out our photos from the Professional Development Day

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - APRIL

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

What you can discover on the new Bb website

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MARCH

POSTED ON: 14/10/2020