News / Bristol City Centre BID
£4m allocated to spruce up city centre and ‘enhance welcome’
A proposed funding package worth £18m sets out plans to enhance Bristol’s “cleanliness, accessibility and overall sense of welcome”.
The investment aims to build on the success of the city’s three existing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) – City Centre, Redcliffe & Temple and Broadmead by uniting them into a single, city-wide initiative to streamline and strengthen efforts.
At a recent event, the leaders of the three BIDs unveiled plans for a combined strategy, which is being put to a vote among levy-paying businesses from June 5 to until July 3. If approved, the new BID will launch in November 2025.
The proposal outlines investment across four strategic areas: safe & supported communities, sustainable & green, experiences & promotion and clean & welcoming.
The levy-paying businesses have till July 4 to decide on a combined BID model
Under the ‘clean & welcoming’ priority, a proposed £4.2m package is earmarked to enhance the look and feel of the city through expanded cleansing services, public realm improvements and upgraded arrival points for visitors.
The BID’s seven-day cleansing service, delivered in partnership with Bristol Waste Company, reportedly removed more than 3,000 graffiti tags and cleaned 9,000 miles of pavements in 2024 alone, responding to over 200 direct requests from local businesses.
“People really notice the difference,” said Louisa Briggs, project manager for the three central Bristol BIDs. “Whether it’s freshly jet-washed pavements, public art investment, or tree lights in winter, these small touches shape how we all experience the city and show it’s a place people care about.”
The BID’s seven-day cleansing service was delivered in partnership with Bristol Waste Company
According to the leaders of three Bristol BIDs, a major ambition of the new BID is to improve how Bristol welcomes people, whether they arrive by train, bus, coach or car.
Investment will target placemaking and infrastructure upgrades at key gateways such as Temple Meads, Temple Quay, and the main bus station, with improvements to signage, lighting, and public art to create a better experience from the moment visitors arrive.
“This is more than a tidy-up,” said Steve Bluff, director of Redcliffe & Temple BID.
“It’s about giving our businesses, residents and visitors the environment they deserve—an environment that supports footfall, fosters pride and creates a sense of belonging. A clean, cared-for city isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a competitive advantage.”
The plans also include a new team of city ambassadors to offer a welcoming presence for visitors and practical support for businesses.
A £4m package has been earmarked to spruce up the city centre
“This proposal reflects what businesses have told us matters most,” said Vivienne Kennedy, director of Broadmead BID. “Whether you’re based in retail, hospitality, the visitor economy or the commercial sector, this is a plan shaped with you, for you.”
All photos: BID
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
