Lancaster BID has a number of different working sub-groups which focus on different areas to ensure our levy payers have a real voice and can influence how our BID levy income is best utilised to benefit the whole of Lancaster City Centre. Recommendations from each sub-group are discussed by the BID Management Board for final decisions relating to key priorities and allocation of resources. The BID Staff team then take the lead on delivery of the agreed programme.
Membership of the groups is voluntary and is open to representatives of all levy paying businesses in the city centre as well as key partners who can offer specific expertise of relevance to the group. These may include City Council officers, Police or other statutory organisations who may be regular members or attend on an occasional basis where they can contribute to specific discussions.
Anyone interested in joining any of the BID sub-groups or finding out more about what is involved should contact the Lancaster BID Manager on [email protected] or phoning 01524 590650.
Improvements
This Group is responsible for delivery of physical improvement projects in the city centre. This includes permanent features, such as bespoke lighting in some of the ginnels and planting schemes, as well as temporary installations such as the annual Christmas lights and other seasonal street decorations.
The group also consider how Lancaster BID can help to improve the overall look of the city centre through initiatives such as additional street cleaning, hoarding on long term empty premises and identifying frequent grot spots to be targeted.
Events & Marketing
This Group plans our programme of flagship events which take place throughout the year including the Christmas Lights Switch On, Festa Italia and the annual BID Ambassador Awards. Members also discuss the allocation of Special Project funding to support further city centre events including Light Up Lancaster, Lancaster Music Festival and Lancaster Jazz Festival.
The Group also focuses on marketing for the key events and the city centre in general. Priorities are agreed for the BID team to deliver mixed media marketing campaigns targeted at driving footfall into the city centre. Methods used include online such as social media and video marketing alongside more traditional methods including local press, radio, printed fliers and adverts in local publications.
Finance & Strategy
This group monitors Lancaster BIDs finances throughout the year. Members initially advise the Management Board to help prepare the annual budget and then check monthly variances to ensure cash flow is controlled and reforecasts can be considered where necessary.
The group also leads on developing longer term strategy including a focus on annual business planning and key priorities leading up to the 5-yearly BID ballot. Results from feedback and surveys of levy paying businesses are carefully considered to ensure Lancaster BID continues to focus on the most important issues to provide maximum benefit to the whole city centre.
After Dark
This group provides a voice to Lancaster’s licensed premises and other evening and late night venues. The group discusses key issues which affect the sector and how Lancaster BID can best provide support. Members also discuss how the late night economy can maximise benefits from city centre events and what campaigns can be developed to promote the sector.
Previous initiatives have included a ‘Real Ale and Tipple Trail’ leaflet as well as providing themed entertainment the evening before Festa Italia to businesses offering promotions on Italian food and drink.
Safe & Secure
This group is mainly targeted at the larger ‘multiple’ retailers in the city and focuses on security and other concerns which are common amongst these businesses. A ‘Shopwatch’ scheme has recently been launched by Lancaster BID allowing retailers to sign up to share details of frequent offenders in a responsible manner. A BID Warden has also recently been appointed, working 30 hours per week on a varied rota, to provide a visible presence on the city streets.
The Safe and Secure working group members will help identify key priorities for the BID Warden to help address. These currently include shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, homelessness and street drinking. Lancaster BID engages with partners including Lancaster City Council and the police to ensure issues are prioritised for action in a coordinated way.
Independent Lancaster
This group ensures a voice for the smaller independent retailers in the city centre. Members highlight priorities which will provide the most benefit to them as well as networking to share skills with other small businesses. The group highlights and potential training which may be of benefit, for example shop window dressing and Social media which have both proved successful.
The group welcomes any ideas for initiatives to promote and support the thriving independent sector which accounts for over 60% of the businesses in Lancaster city centre.