News / bristol bid
Unified Business Improvement District launches with £18m investment plan
Bristol’s newly unified Business Improvement District (BID) officially launches on Saturday, marking the start of a five-year, £18m programme to make the city centre “cleaner, safer, greener and more vibrant”.
Following a ballot backed by 75 per cent of voting businesses, the new BID combines the operations of Broadmead, Redcliffe & Temple, and Bristol City Centre BIDs, bringing together over 1,000 businesses under one city-wide partnership.
The expanded area now stretches from Cabot Circus to Temple Meads and from Park Street to Spike Island.
Bristol24/7 spoke to three key figures of the unified BID ahead of the launch at their base.
Popular initiatives such as Love Bristol Gift Card will continue – photo: BID
Speaking to us were Steve Bluff, chief operating officer; Anna Farthing, interim head of place; and Vivienne Kennedy, director of operations.
“This is a new way of working,” said Steve Bluff, chief operating officer of Bristol BID. “We’re removing boundaries, uniting our voice and scaling up delivery to better serve the businesses and communities at the heart of our city.”
The BID’s work will be structured around four themes – Clean & Welcoming, Safe & Supported Communities, Experiences & Promotion, and Sustainable & Green – addressing everything from city cleansing and public safety to events, marketing and environmental projects.
Over its five-year term, the BID aims to generate £500,000 in savings through streamlined operations, reinvesting these into projects such as a new City Innovation Fund and an expanded free Training Hub offering over 200 digital courses.
Popular initiatives including the Bristol Light Festival, Street Rangers and the Love Bristol Gift Card will continue, alongside new efforts to support sustainability, inclusive hiring and cost-saving schemes for businesses.
Culture remains central to the BID’s mission, said Anna Farthing – photo: BID
“It is what it says on the tin – a business improvement district,” said Bluff.
“We aim to make the city a cleaner, greener, safer and more vibrant area, delivered through projects and initiatives across culture, safety, sustainability and welcome.”
Under the BID’s clean and welcoming theme, teams will expand graffiti removal, jet washing, and litter cleaning across the city centre, complementing city council’s core services.
The BID has also extended its popular winter lighting scheme — illuminating trees across Union Street, Horsefair and Park Street — to make the city both “safe and beautiful”, said Vivienne Kennedy, director of operations.
“Staff travelling to and from work tell us they feel safer, which is a real positive story.”
Security will be strengthened with a 128-hour monthly increase in the ranger service, which works with the Bristol Business Crime Reduction Partnership and the police to prevent shoplifting and recover lost stock, more than £67,000 worth in Broadmead alone last year.
Culture remains central to the BID’s mission, said Anna Farthing.
She said: “Culture is at the heart of Bristol’s identity. It’s what brings people together and keeps the city alive year-round.”
Under the BID’s clean and welcoming theme, teams will expand graffiti removal, jet washing, and litter cleaning across the city centre, complementing city council’s core services – photo: BID
The BID also has a strong environmental focus, pledging £2.2m over five years for green infrastructure, reuse and recycle initiatives, and climate action plans.
“We’re determined to build a BID that supports business while helping Bristol lead by example as a sustainable, forward-looking city,” Bluff said.
The unified strategy is expected to give the BID “a bigger seat at the table” with key partners such as Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority and UK High Streets.
As Bristol’s cultural map evolves, with developments such as Temple Quarter regeneration and expanding student communities, the BID aims to act as a bridge between creativity, commerce and community.
“We can’t fix everything,” said Farthing, “but we can improve everything — by bringing people together and helping them make the city better.”
The BID will also strengthen its role in city decision-making through involvement in strategic forums such as the One City Economy & Skills Board and the Culture Board.
Building on Bristol’s sustainability credentials the unified BID is expected to play its part.
Working with the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership, the BID helps businesses develop climate action plans, cut CO₂ emissions and strengthen their green credentials.
Bristol Light Festival has been one of the biggest crowd pullers in Bristol calendar – photo: Rob Browne
Bluff said the work ranges from supporting businesses’ sustainability goals to installing planters, green walls and other projects aligned with the City Council’s Green Infrastructure Action Plan.
“We’re not duplicating work — we’re enhancing it,” he said.
Interim head of place Anna Farthing adds a creative touch with her idea of “curating the weeds,” reflecting a commitment to urban biodiversity and natural resilience across the city.
Key figures of the unified BID (from left to right) – Vivienne Kennedy, director of operations; Anna Farthing, interim head of place and Steve Bluff, chief operating officer – photo: Ciara Hillyer
Bluff said the new model builds on previous successes: “We’re amplifying what already works – unlocking new scale, stronger partnerships and more visible results.
“This is about better coordination, more inclusive governance and a louder collective voice for Bristol.”
The new BID term runs from November 1 2025 to October 31 2030.
For the five-year strategy of the unified BID, visit www.bristolcitycentrebid/docs
Main photo: Ciara Hillyer
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