Latest news with #FORCardiff
Business News Wales
2 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Business Improvement Districts Mark 20 Years Supporting Welsh High Streets
Cardiff City Centre This month marks a significant milestone for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Wales – two decades since the first BID was introduced. Having now become an essential part of urban regeneration, BIDs bring together businesses, local authorities, and communities to drive economic growth, improve public spaces, and support thriving local economies. A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined geographical area where local businesses collectively invest in services and initiatives that aim to improve the trading environment. Funded by a levy paid by the businesses within the district, with the goal of creating a better, more vibrant area for both businesses and the public, initiatives often include improvements to public spaces, events, marketing campaigns, street cleaning, security, and infrastructure, all aimed at enhancing the economic viability of the area. With 347 BIDs operating across the UK, collectively contributing over £153 million each year, Wales has seen its own BIDs transform Welsh cities and towns across the country with projects that foster innovation, community impact, and economic resilience. FOR Cardiff: A Model of Innovation and Resilience As the BID for Cardiff city centre, FOR Cardiff has played a transformative role in shaping the capital's urban landscape. Established in 2016, Cardiff's city centre BID has delivered more than £14 million in additional direct investment from its resident businesses into the city centre, funding a wide range of projects that have boosted footfall, supported businesses, and enhanced the city's reputation as a retail and cultural destination. Notable projects include the City of Arcades campaign, which attracted over 200,000 visitors in a single day and increased sales by 63% for participating retailers. The BID has also been instrumental in improving safety with initiatives like Night Marshals and mental health training for businesses. Additionally, FOR Cardiff has been recognised with four consecutive years of Purple Flag status for excellence in managing the night-time economy. As the BID prepares to enter its third term, it remains focused on driving inclusive growth and ensuring Cardiff's city centre remains a competitive and vibrant place to do business. 'Whether it's the work we've done in helping over 460,000 people get home safely, injecting life into the independent retail scene, or delivering nationally recognised campaigns, our mission has always been to make Cardiff a city that works better for businesses and the people who use it every day. This milestone is a chance to reflect on just how much has been achieved – and to look forward with purpose.' said Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director of FOR Cardiff. Swansea BID: Pioneering Regeneration in Wales Swansea BID, the first of its kind in Wales, was established in 2006, marking a pioneering step for BIDs in the region. Over the past 20 years, Swansea BID has reinvested approximately £8 million into the city's regeneration efforts, helping to improve the local environment and support businesses. Key initiatives include a successful street cleaning programme and the Billy Chip scheme, which raises awareness for mental health and homelessness. Swansea BID has also worked closely with South Wales Police to reduce crime, achieving a 48% reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents and helping SWP achieve a 76% positive outcome rate for city centre incidents. Swansea BID has also been instrumental in supporting local events, with the Swansea Half Marathon and Krazy Karts—an event that brought nearly 20,000 people into the city in a single day—becoming staples of the city's events calendar. Merthyr BID: Building Community and Supporting Local Businesses Merthyr BID, known as The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil, was established in 2012 and has invested £1.9 million in the local area, funded entirely by business levy payments. Under the leadership of BID Manager Elizabeth Bedford, Merthyr has become a model of community engagement, with initiatives focused on bringing local residents and businesses together. One of the BID's standout achievements has been the successful lobbying for free parking in the run-up to Christmas, a move that proved to be a major benefit for local businesses. The BID has also focused on growing community events, including the Chilli & Chocolate Festival and Merthyr Food Festival, both of which are now among the most popular events in Wales. Merthyr BID has also made significant strides in digital marketing, growing its social media following to over 20,000 and gaining recognition through a second British BIDs Accreditation. Looking Ahead: The Future of BIDs in Wales As cities and towns face challenges from economic shifts, high street closures, and changing consumer habits, BIDs remain a crucial tool for businesses to come together and support one another, with FOR Cardiff, Swansea BID, and Merthyr BID standing as key examples of how collaboration and collective investment can make a real difference. 'The challenges facing retail and city centres are real—but so is the opportunity,' said Carolyn Brownell, 'We're optimistic, and we're ready to work with the business community to keep Welsh cities moving forward.' With regeneration projects on the horizon and a focus on inclusivity and resilience, the future of BIDs in Wales looks bright.
Business News Wales
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Time to Change Wales' Image, First Minister Tells CBI Event
Wales needs to put up a 'massive flag' to show the world it's open for business, the First Minister told the CBI Wales Annual Lunch. Eluned Morgan MS addressed more than 200 business leaders, politicians and other stakeholders at the event in Cardiff. She said it was time to 'turn the page' on the image of Wales as a post-industrial economy and look to the future. She cited priority sectors including natural resources, renewable energy, digital, creative, compound semi conductors and life sciences as areas where Wales could attract investment. The First Minister spoke to Business News Wales about her priorities for jobs and growth, skills, working in social partnership including with the private sector, and what she hoped December's investment summit, set to be held in Newport, would achieve: The event, sponsored by FOR Cardiff, the Business Improvement District (BID), and Blaenavon-based GOS Tool & Engineering, took place at the Parkgate Hotel as part of the CBI's 60th anniversary celebrations. Guests also heard from Russell Greenslade, the new Director of CBI Wales, Alison Orrells, Chair, CBI Wales, and Tracy Black, Chief Commercial Officer, CBI, along with Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director, FOR Cardiff, Joshua Western, CEO and co-founder, Space Forge. Other speakers were Alan Francis, Managing Director, Gaunt Francis, who represented GOS Tool & Engineering and Amanda Fenton, Director of Fundraising & Marketing, at City Hospice, CBI Wales' charity partner. Conversations over lunch centred on the impact of US trade tariffs on the economy, the regional economy, skills and December's Welsh Government international investment summit in Newport. Russell Greenslade, Director, CBI Wales, said: 'This lunch celebrated the businesses, innovators, and leaders shaping our future, alongside a thought-provoking discussion on how we can build on this momentum to deliver sustainable economic growth. Welsh businesses are leading the way. From pioneering technologies to attracting investment and driving innovation, Wales is demonstrating what a modern, agile economy can achieve.' Alison Orrells, Chair, CBI Wales, MD and Chief Executive Officer, The Safety Letterbox Company, said: 'It is a great honour to chair CBI Wales in the 60th anniversary year. Being exposed to many companies across Wales of all sizes and sectors, there's no shortage of drive, determination, passion and enthusiasm to succeed, despite the very challenging backdrop and repeated global headwinds businesses currently face. There has never been a more important time for collaboration and support of business to unlock opportunity.' Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director, FOR Cardiff, said: 'As the economic engine of Wales, Cardiff city centre is the perfect location for the CBI's 60th anniversary lunch and FOR Cardiff are proud to have sponsored the event. It was great to see so many of the businesses that make up our Business Improvement District represented at the event and discuss the challenges and opportunities that doing business in central Cardiff provides.' Neil Gregory, Director, GOS Tool & Engineering in Blaenavon, said: 'In challenging times for business in Wales, it is essential that the CBI works closely with the Welsh Government on a whole range of issues including amongst others, investment, infrastructure and apprenticeships. Consequently, we were delighted to sponsor this event highlighting the close links between both organisations in this iconic building in the centre of Cardiff.'
