Kidderminster BID manager Alex Powell gives an insight into the aims and work of the organisation

The aim of a Business Improvement District it to make a defined space a better place to do business in, both to attract investment and more visitors to the area.

We had a successful ‘Yes’ vote in 2019 and I became the manager of Kidderminster Business Improvement District in March 2020, just as the pandemic began. There have been challenging times since then, and times that none of us expected during our first year of delivery. But I’m really proud of what our small team has achieved so far.

With a modest levy income, we worked hard to quickly support businesses with social distancing advice and resources, and we organised two COVID-19 safe shop window trails over Christmas and Easter.

We’ve been there to support businesses and local traders access grant support during this challenging year and our two Town Centre Rangers have worked throughout the pandemic, providing a visible presence, and being the eyes and ears of the town centre business community.

Recently we teamed up with students and artists to transform the Horsefair underpass. The new mural in the underpass was funded by Kidderminster BID as part of our plan to improve gateways to the town.

We want to make people feel safer and to make the town more visually appealing and inviting.

We also have some fabulous new floral displays this summer in areas that are not usually covered. We are keen to see environmental improvements covering a wider area so that both businesses and visitors can benefit.

We’re now working on setting up a new Business Watch and we’re also working alongside the police to support a brand new Pub Watch.

As a local resident I am excited to see the difference that Kidderminster BID is making already. I have witnessed the resilience and enthusiasm of local businesses during the past 15 months and look forward to the summer months with further unlocking enabling our hospitality establishments to recover.

Together we aim to make Kidderminster a better place to do business, with improvements which will benefit established businesses, new start ups and visitors to the town.