The BID Foundation Industry Standards

Industry Standards - Quality and Governance

Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) has been in operation since April 2010 and is a non-for-profit organisation with the aim of improving the trading conditions for the businesses who contribute a BID levy.

A key objective of The BID Foundation is to increase transparency and accountability of the industry. In consultation with BIDs, levy payer groups and policy makers, including the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, they have developed some recommended minimum standards, which will increase transparency of the industry.

Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest.

The BID3 Ballot was taken place from 3rd to 31st October 2019. A third BID term was successfully backed by city centre businesses. This is the most successful ballot in the BID’s ten-year history, with 51% turnout and a record 84.9% of city businesses voting in favour by number and with more than 82.8% of businesses by aggregate rateable value in support of another five-year term. We would like to thank all of the businesses that returned their votes and their continued support of our work in the city centre.

Following the successful renewal ballot, the third five-year term of Worcester BID started on 1st April 2020 and will run until 31st March 2025.

To view the BID3 Business Plan please click here.

As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops.

We are a Company limited by guarantee Registration No. 07188738 and operate under The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.

Further FAQ’s regarding BIDs and the ballot are answered here.

Worcester BID activity is delivered over and above the projects and baselined service levels provided by public agencies including the Local Authority.

The projects and services which will be delivered during the five-year BID period are agreed and set out in Worcester BID’s 2020-2025 Business Plan.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are defined and performance is monitored by the Worcester BID Board and respective committees

The annual budget is approved through the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors receive regular advice regarding the review and evaluation of projects from the management team prior to making further decisions on spend or reprofiling of expenditure.

The annual BID levy payment invoice is accompanied by a billing leaflet outlining what projects and services the BID will be spending the levy on. Click here to view a copy of the 2020 billing leaflet.

To view our procurement policy please click here. If you would like to request minutes from the finance and scrutiny meeting please email us and we will get back to you requesting further details.

  • Face to face business visits – Scheduled and ad hoc. Request a visit
  • City Sessions – dedicated meetings for BID levy paying businesses every 6-8 weeks. Dates are published here and announced via e-Bulletins and social media
  • Surveys – By post and online. Send us your email address or alternative postal address to be included in the BID database
  • Direct emails – For project specific engagement and as a response to enquiries info@worcesterbid.com
  • Post – Major surveys, consultations, ballot papers and other key documentation are sent out by post. We hold postal addresses for all BID business. Should any contact details have changed or an alternative / head office address be used, please contact us
  • Phone – Where details are available, we contact businesses by phone as a response to an enquiry or for future engagement
  • Social Media – We use Worcester BID Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for B2B communications. For B2C communication we use Visit Worcester Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
  • Websites – www.worcesterbid.com for BID businesses and stakeholders – including annual reports, event announcements and news.  Visit Worcester is our consumer marketing channel (in partnership with Worcester City Council).
  • CityNet and project meetings – View information

Contact the Worcester BID team

Samantha McCarthy, Chief Executive

Gloria Hawthorn, Senior Business Engagement Executive

Crystal Thompson, Business Engagement and Marketing Executive

Abbey Tocchini, Digital Communications Officer

Worcester BID is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors representing levy payers and the different sectors within the BID area.

  • Lucy Hodgson: Worcester City Council
  • Anja Potze: Anja Potze Fine Jewellery (Vice Chair)
  • Dean Hill: Tramps Nightclub
  • Mark Hughes: University of Worcester (Vice Chair)
  • Mike Lloyd: Crowngate Shopping Centre
  • Nicki Williams: Heart of Worcestershire College (Chair)
  • Philip Parkinson: Harrison Clark Rickerbys
  • Rachael Mitchell: Worcester Whitehouse Hotel
  • Craig Finn: Tripel B
  • Aasia Baig: Centenary Lounge
  • Tom Mountford: Worcester City Council

BID Company Limited (the ‘Company’), a not for profit company (company number 07188738) registered in England, limited by guarantee.

The BID is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors  from a range of sectors and organisations in the BID area. The Board is made up of representatives of levy paying member businesses who will be elected with one third required to stand down annually on a rotating basis but who may seek re-election. Additional members may be co-opted, as required. Each year, the Board members elect a Chairman from members of the Board. To view the rules for the election of Directors and Terms of Reference for the Board click here.

The BID Board advises on operational and service delivery issues, oversee performance measurement, and more generally act as the primary consultative and advisory body on BID services. It has responsibility for financial arrangements, contractual obligations, human resources, standards and compliance, and strategic direction.

Provided that the BID is meeting its overall objectives, the BID Board shall have the ability to vary service delivery and expenditure allocation according to the changing demands of levy payers.

Levy payers’ views are regularly sought through feedback (project feedback forms, Mid Term Review, BID3 consultation, etc.), forums (e.g. City Sessions) and individual meetings.

If you wish to access the ‘Register of all Pecuniary and Personal Interests’ please email us your request and we will come back to you with further details.

If you would like request minutes from a previous board meeting please contact us and we will get back to you for further details.