Colmore BID, one of the UK’s leading Business Improvement Districts, has been successful in its BID4 Business Plan proposal for 2024 to 2029, having won with 98% yes votes.
The campaigning began back in January this year as the BID engaged closely with the local business community, seeking valuable feedback through the consultation period. Once the ballot opened on 28 September, eligible voters from within the Birmingham District had a month to cast their votes before the ballot closed for counting on 26 October.
Thanks to the successful result, Colmore BID’s fourth term will commence on 1 April 2024 and will enable the BID to deliver its ambitious vision for the area, with local businesses investing over £7.5million over five years. Plans include the redevelopment of Livery Street Subway, the replanting of Colmore Square to add biodiversity to the area, and a city-wide immersive light festival to drive footfall and trade to Birmingham.
Nicola Fleet-Milne, Chair of the Colmore BID Board (pic) commented: “We are clearly delighted to have, yet again, achieved such resounding support from our levy payers. This ‘yes’ vote will allow us to continue our success and deliver on our goals within the District and the broader city.
“I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to vote. This is a clear indication that our local business community continues to value the services and culture we bring to the district.
“We look forward to another five years developing the Colmore Business District and delivering on our commitments.” To make the BID’s commitments a reality, eligible businesses in the District pay a levy which funds the BID’s project pot.
The not-for-profit organisation is led by a Board of local businesses and stakeholders such as the police, local councillors, and Transport for West Midlands. Looking forward, Colmore BID is committing to improving the District for businesses, residents and visitors through:
- Developing outstanding places
- Improving accessibility and sustainability
- Hosting creative and cultural activities
- Increasing footfall to hospitality and leisure venues
- Maintaining a safe and secure environment
- Building and growing the business community
- Developing the District’s young professionals
- Collaborating, taking a lead, and finding opportunities
To help drive this mission forward in the new term, Colmore BID has made two new key appointments to their team. Alex Nicholson-Evans joins the BID two days a week as City Curator and has the remit to work across Birmingham city centre to develop and commission new and exciting cultural projects and events. Alex will work closely with the other city centre BIDs, Birmingham City Council and locally based creative practitioners and artists to deliver these projects.
Alex has spent the last ten years working in arts, heritage, tourism, and events. She is best known as the Founder and Director of Living For The Weekend, the company behind city-wide festivals such as Birmingham Cocktail Weekend and Birmingham Restaurant Festival. Alex was also the former Commercial Director for Birmingham Museums Trust and amongst other commitments is a Non-Executive Director of the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, a judge for the West Midlands Tourism Awards, and a Trustee for Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust.
Alex commented: “Taking on the mantle of City Curator is such an honour and I’m exceptionally excited about exploring new creative opportunities to bring the city centre to life. Be that through developing and commissioning new major festivals, working with partners to activate empty and underused spaces, or bringing more art into the day to day lives of people living, working, and visiting the city centre.
“One of the projects I’m particularly excited about exploring is an immersive light festival for the city centre; I want to commission and deliver work that not only drives footfall and trade when businesses need it most, but also brings a smile to people’s faces and sparks happiness.” Claire Lishman also joins the BID on a part-time basis as Media and PR Consultant and has the responsibility to tell the story of the outstanding work that Colmore BID does on a local, regional, and national level, as well as providing the media with accurate, up-to-the-minute information and resources.
Claire has worked in Birmingham for the last 13 years as both a freelance PR consultant and an in-house Press Manager for organisations such as Birmingham Royal Ballet, B:Music (the music charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall), Elmhurst Ballet School, and Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Glynn Purnell. She previously sat on Colmore BID’s Place Marketing working group and has been involved in many of the BID’s previous events such as the award-winning Colmore Food Festival and the Christmas Lights Switch-On.
Claire added: “Colmore BID is a brilliant organisation, serving its wider community. I have been inspired by the skill and commitment of the BID’s dedicated team, and it is such an honour to now be able to tell the story of the fantastic work they do and the results they achieve in the city.
“I look forward to working with the whole Colmore BID team on their exciting plans for the future and shouting about the extraordinary nature of the District and Birmingham as a city.” While Colmore BID’s fourth term starts on 1 April 2024, these two new roles start with immediate effect to place the BID in the best possible position to truly hit the ground running on the exciting five years ahead.
