Canterbury BID looks to continue to champion city as it unveils five year plan

Published by

Giles Gwinnett

Lisa Carlson launches Canterbury BID's Business Plan - picture contributed

Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) has unveiled its blueprint for the next five years, outlining plans showing how it will deliver at least £3.6 million of projects.

Canterbury is one of 340 BIDS across the country. These not-for-profit orgainisations are funded by the businesses that benefit from them and the money ringfenced to be spent within the BID area on initiatives agreed in a formal business plan.

Canterbury BID's plan provides the case to renew its mandate for a further five years with a ballot now underway (until July 11) among over 650 businesses within the city walls, as well as on Northgate, St Dunstans and Riverside.

It seeks continued support for paying a 1.8% levy on their business rates if they are above £5,000 a year.

It is proposing to allocate £1.19m to promote Canterbury, a further £919,000 to support local businesses, and £967,000 on enhancing the experience of visiting the city.

The last few years have been challenging for high streets and city centres across the country, and Canterbury is no different," said Lisa Carlson, the chief executive of Canterbury BID.

"However, we start from a strong position thanks to our medieval and religious heritage, our global recognition and the quality of the visitor experience.

"Our business plan, developed by the team and the board in conjunction with our membership, will help ensure Canterbury remains Kent’s premier destination for visitors and residents, and supports a vibrant community of professional businesses," she added.

"There’s a lot set to happen over the next couple of years, including spending £22m of Levelling Up funding, restoration of heritage sites and investments in the city. "

Over the last ten years, the Canterbury BID has successfully unlocked £5.6 million, including more that £1 million of additional non-BID levy investment.

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Giles Gwinnett

Giles Gwinnett is a writer at The Business Magazine. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and covered a vast array of topics at a range of media settings - in print and online. After his NCTJ newspaper training, he became a reporter in Hampshire before moving to a news agency in Gloucestershire. In recent years, he has been covering the financial markets along with company news for an investor-focused web portal. His many interests include politics, energy and the environment. He lives in Dorset.