Unemployment is falling, but our recovery is patchy

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

The Chancellor will be happy with this morning’s unemployment figures. The UK’s jobless rate has fallen to 4.3 per cent, the number of workers on payroll has jumped to 29.3 million, and we’ve seen no spike in redundancies at the end of furlough in September. 

The headline figures may look very promising, but dig a little deeper and we can see that our economic recovery is uneven across the country. For the three months ending in September 2021, London had the highest jobless rate at 5.6% compared to 3.3% in the South West. Not surprising when you look at the impact of the pandemic, the closure of the Capital’s retail, leisure and hospitality, and the collapse of international tourism.

Footfall is another factor to consider. We know that the streets of London are slowly picking up, but footfall is still way behind pre-pandemic levels. Indeed, the Centre for Cities think tank found that daytime weekly footfall in our Capital is still some 47 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. By comparison in York, the figure is around 92 per cent. 

The Prime Minister, as we’ve heard many times, is on a mission to ‘level up’ the country, and getting our recovery on a more even footing around the country will be vital if he is to succeed. BIDs have a major role to play in this, and our industry is at the forefront of some good, creative stuff taking place.  We are promoting our towns and cities, making our public spaces safer. We are putting together recovery strategies, and helping drive forward regeneration projects with our local authority partners. Take Sunderland BID as just one example, they are progressing with a project to encourage independent businesses to set up in the city centre through brand new incubator space.

So let's indeed celebrate the headlines, and the fact that we in the BID industry will be important players in the levelling up agenda.  

Latest Articles

NOVEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

OCTOBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

SEPTEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

AUGUST INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

JULY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

APRIL INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

MARCH INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

DESIGN YOUR SCHEME READY FOR A SUCCESSFUL RESULT

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

FEBRUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

JANUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

DECEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

NOVEMBER'S INSIGHT BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

10 key considerations from The National BIDs Conference

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

October's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

September's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

National BID Awards 2022

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

August's insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

July's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Leadership race: Businesses need competent hands on the tiller

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

JUNE'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Greening our cities

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

MAY'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Bringing back The Golden Mile in Belfast

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Industrial BID Members to meet at Penrith Industrial BID

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

HINCKLEY BID: Attracting visitors through our annual pancake race

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Bb joins national campaign to encourage workers back to offices

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

TURNING BUSINESS FOOD WASTE INTO VEGETABLES IN BOURNEMOUTH

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Businesses need clarity from government in 2022

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Over 100 destinations urge UK government to deliver 'business booster

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

December's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Plan B: £4bn Loss Predicted for hospitality sector

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Small Business Saturday: Wizard of Oz comes to Saffron Walden

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Small Business Saturday spotlight: Hidden crackers in Nottingham

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs to welcome new BIDs to the Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

November's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

National BIDs Conference 2021

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Budget 2021 - letter to Chancellor

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

October's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

High street app attracts thousands of visitors to Lanark

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Getting back on track

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

August's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

The future health of our High Street Businesses

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

July's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BIDlife

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Our rapidly evolving workspaces

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs appointed to support Swindon renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

May's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Indoor service please

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

ACT NOW FOR A STAND-OUT LIGHTING DISPLAY THIS WINTER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Amazon clicks and thirsty punters… now for business rates

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

High streets a part of life?

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BIDlife - Send us your reopening photos

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

April's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

March’s ballot results – a congratulations from British BIDs

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Ballot Buddy helps achieve a new term for Sheffield BID

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs meets with UK's largest national chains

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Retail repositioning continues

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Colour and animation for magical lights this Christmas - GALA LIGHTS

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

£1bn Towns Fund for 45 areas in England announced

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

February ballot results – a congratulations from the British BIDs team

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Letter on proposed new Permitted Development Rights

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID ballots during lockdown

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Digital trends in 2021

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs discuss crime prevention

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

A look back on 2020 BID ballots

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

December's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

How can and should BIDs be more community focused?

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Christmas lights provide feel-good factor in challenging times

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Repurposing our places for the future

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Arcadia Group – Guidance for BIDs, 1 December 2020

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Increase your footfall over the festive period - Blachere Illumination

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

November's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID community prepares for second lockdown

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 1st November 2020

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs congratulates confirmed areas to receive new Town Deals Fund

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

October's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BIDs in the news

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs share best practice

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

​Bb requests further BID term extension from MHCLG

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Bb to launch new research entitled 'Shaping the Future'

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Your Pontypridd Receives Accreditation

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

August's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Levy reduction letter from BIDs - download the template

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Local lockdowns and areas of interventions: how to prepare

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs' response on levy payments

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs supports Business Resilience Survey

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Get involved in our response to Government

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Preparing for localised lockdown webinar follow up

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Look back on lockdown - BIDs (part 2)

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

July's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Webinar with high street expert Bill Grimsey

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Ruth Duston joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Towns Fund – updated guidance

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Look back on lockdown - BIDs

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BBC News Channel - Professor Christopher Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

New research on BIDs and the 'new normal'

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Important announcement: MHCLG BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Ed Cooke joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

3R Toolkit; Driving recovery in your place

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BIDs Advisory Board welcome Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs Announces BIDs Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Government lobbying for BID levy relief during COVID-19

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs expands Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Sidcup BID achieve British BIDs Accreditation

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Government Survey - your help needed by 22nd April

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

COVID-19 - Job Retention Scheme Update

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

The Coronavirus Act 2020 and what it means for BIDs

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID levy payments and COVID-19

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

New Q&A sessions announced

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Communications support for BIDs

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs Guidance - Q&A

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Business Improvement Districts and their Coronavirus Response

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Join our live Q&A session this Friday

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs' response to the Chancellor's Budget

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs launches new Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Sunak urged to reform rates that ‘hammer’ local retailers

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs partners with Welsh Government

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

New year, new Christmas

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

January's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Celebrate our 10th birthday with us

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs support Plymouth City Centre BID at renewal campaign launch

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

December's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

November's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Digital Lego Trail successful boost to the City Centre

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

October's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

September's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

August's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

July's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

June's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs appointed to support West Bromwich BID for renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

British BIDs appointed to support Sheffield BID with 2020 renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

May's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

April's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Debenhams Administration - Guidance for BIDs

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

March's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee - New Policy Issues

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Celebrating 25 Years in Christmas Lighting - Gala Lights

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

February's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

InLinkUK - New to our Suppliers Portal

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JANUARY

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - DECEMBER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Thank you to our British BIDs members

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - NOVEMBER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Autumn Budget 2018: Highlights for the BID industry

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - OCTOBER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Faster broadband underpins UK BIDs - Openreach

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

National BIDs Conference by Ben Collins

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - SEPTEMBER

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - AUGUST

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Do Your BID’s Lights Need A Refresh?

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JULY

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

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

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Launch of the Second Grimsey review

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Launch of the Great British High Street Awards 2018

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JUNE

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MAY

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT INDUSTRY CELEBRATES 300 BIDS

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

Check out our photos from the Professional Development Day

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - APRIL

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

What you can discover on the new Bb website

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MARCH

POSTED ON: 16/11/2021

SIGN UP

Sign up today to receive marketing and communications from British BIDs, in line with our privacy policy.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

An Introduction to BIDs

Whether you are developing a BID, working in a BID, a Board member, new to...

Read more

Next Session: Tuesday 20th February 2024, 10:30 - 13:00

BIDs and Place Shaping

Places and consumers are changing faster than ever before. Home working, online shopping and heightened...

Read more

Next Session: Thursday 1st February 2024, 10:30 - 13:00

Investors In People Logo

33 Margaret Street, London, W1G 0JD

© Copyright BBIDS Limited (t/a British BIDs):
All material on this website, including documents, publications, text, data and images, is protected by copyright. You may not copy, reproduce, scrape, augment, post or transmit it in any way without permission of BBIDS Limited (trading as British BIDs), the copyright owner. Prior written consent of the copyright holder must be obtained for any use of material. No part of this site or sub-domains of this site may be distributed or copied for any commercial purpose.