• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Wednesday June 18 2025

City centre safety could be improved with BIDs merger

Businesses across Bristol are being urged to vote ‘yes’ in the upcoming Bristol Business Improvement District (BID) ballot, which would unlock a £2.75 million investment in safety, crime prevention and wellbeing.

The ballot proposes bringing together the city’s three existing BIDs – Bristol City Centre, Broadmead and Redcliffe & Temple – to form a single, stronger and more coordinated BID, expanding coverage and amplifying services across the city.

The safety-led funding forms a central pillar of a wider £18 million proposal, delivering greater coordination, expanded reach and enhanced support for local businesses and communities.

The £2.75 million safety investment would build on the impactful work already underway, including the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) – a BID-led initiative linking local businesses, police and the local authority.

The BCRP has positioned Bristol as a national leader in collaborative business safety. Its recent accreditation by a national standards body recognises this excellence and sets a strong foundation for expansion under a unified BID.

Carmen Ceesay, Bristol BCRP manager, said: “Every day, we work side by side with businesses, police and support services to reduce crime and help those who are vulnerable.

“The recent national accreditation is a real boost and a testament to the power of collaboration. With a unified BID, we’ll be able to extend this support to more areas, scale up what works and bring added consistency to how we keep Bristol safe.”

A yes vote would support new initiatives such as a dedicated Youth Services Officer, additional night-time safety measures and the continued development of the Safe Space Pilot – launched in December 2024 as a secure refuge for vulnerable people during busy city centre nights.

Bristol’s BIDs have also played a key role in the city receiving Purple Flag status for the 15th year running, recognising a safe, inclusive and well-managed night-time economy. Their coordinated approach supports successful initiatives like the Women’s Safety Charter, NTE Grants and the ever-popular Bristol Light Festival.

Safety is also central to the BIDs’ broader work around wellbeing and inclusion. If approved, the new BID would build on existing partnerships with Neighbourly and Babbasa, support inclusive workplace practices and expand the TAP for Bristol contactless giving scheme, which has already raised more than £155,000 for homelessness prevention since 2019.

Vivienne Kennedy, director of Broadmead BID, added: “A safe city is non-negotiable. We’re proud of the work we’ve delivered through our individual BIDs, but by aligning our efforts, we can go further and faster. This proposal allows us to think bigger, respond quicker and support businesses and communities across a wider area.”

The proposal has been shaped by input from hundreds of businesses, with safety consistently identified as a top priority. The ballot runs until Thursday, July 3, with results announced on Friday, July 4. If successful, the new Bristol BID will launch on Friday, November 1.

Image courtesy of Chris Cooper/ ShotAway