District improvements secured for another 5 years
Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID) have successfully been reinstated for another five years and have a positive outlook for the future of Lancaster as well as a host of fantastic events for local people to look forward to.
Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID) have successfully been reinstated for another five years and have a positive outlook for the future of Lancaster as well as a host of fantastic events for local people to look forward to.
1.2 MILLION INVESTMENT
In November, businesses in Lancaster voted yes to making the city centre, once again, a Business Improvement District. In real terms this means a further £1.2 million of levy payers’ money will be used to improve the city centre of Lancaster over the next five years. This money will then be spent on projects to increase footfall in the city. Initiatives include family events, crime reduction, cleaning the streets and providing a safer, cleaner environment for people to live, work and visit.
EVENTS MANAGEMENT
The 23 strong BID Management committee is headed up by the BID’s Chairman Paul Cusimano who is supported by experienced marketer Rachael Wilkinson. She is the Events Manager and has worked for the Lancaster BID since 2014. She said “We are currently setting up the new BID company and with that comes lots of new and exciting opportunities. I’ve been concentrating on putting together an events and marketing programme to draw visitors into the centre and we’ve now got 14 events planned for this year”
The first of these events is the 2nd annual “Comedy and Arts Weekend” which takes place between the 28th and 30th May. This Bank holiday event sees the streets of the city centre filled with over 30 talented artists, who will be showcasing their work throughout the weekend. This impressive trail will feature hand made products and interactive workshops from local emerging artists as well as nationally celebrated ones. A children’s colouring competition should keep the little ones entertained! Complimenting this, the comedy and street entertainment is family friendly during the day, with lots happening at night including shows at The Grand Theatre and The Boroughs Comedy Club. It’s the second time this event has taken place. Last years event was very well received by visitors and locals alike, with hundreds of people completing the arts trail and attending comedy events throughout the city.
IMPROVING FOOTFALL
The BID also produce the “Lancaster Destination Brochure” and are working with Lancaster City Council to produce new signage to help support the businesses who operate in and through the ginnels. Chairman of the committee Paul Cusimano said “The BID’s focus has always been to improve the visitor experience within the city centre and to increase footfall. We hope that our new literature, signage and forthcoming events do that. Now that the BID is secure for another 5 years, we will, once again do our very best and work hard for the levy payers. We have their business successes at the heart of all our decisions”.
