BID management team celebrates prestigious award

News Article

The management company behind many of the UK’s leading Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) is celebrating success at the prestigious Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) National Awards 2016.

Partnerships for Better Businesses (pfbb UK), which manages,promotes and supports town, city centre and industrials estate BIDs across the UK, picked up a top award for Derby’s Cathedral Quarter BID, which was unveiled as ‘BID of the Year 2016’ beating both Colmore and Kingston. Since its launch eight years ago Cathedral Quarter BID has established itself as a well-respected brand and a thriving destination for retail, leisure, culture and professional services.

Northampton’s Brackmills Industrial Estate BID, also managed by pfbb UK, missed out on the top prize but was ‘highly commended’ in the Campaigner of the Year award category thanks to its success in attracting over £90,000 of investment to speed up the estate and bring superfast broadband to resident businesses.

Ian Ferguson, Director of PFBB UK, said: “Business Improvement Districts are run by and for businesses and are an exciting vehicle for making change, improving an environment and generating a unique sense of corporate community.

“We are proud to play our part in ensuring the success of UKBIDs and delighted for both Derby and Northampton – rightly recognised at these awards for their excellence and their commitment to supporting and listening to resident businesses.”

Martin Langsdale, Chair of the Cathedral Quarter management group, added: “We are proud of everything the Cathedral Quarter has achieved,enabling this wonderful part of the city centre to thrive despite changing retail habits and the economic downturn. Fantastic to be recognised as the UK’s best BID.”

Sara Homer, Executive Chair of Brackmills BID, said: “This is fitting proof that businesses collaborating and working together can achieve extraordinary things. We may not have scooped the top prize this time round,but there is always next year.”

The award ceremony took place at Central Hall in Westminster on Tuesday 8th March 2016.