STRATEGY

The Adelaide Business Collective is advocating for a best practice business improvement district (BID) model for the Adelaide CBD. The first BID commenced in 1970 in the Bloor West Village in Toronto, Canada. Business Owners and Property Owners came together to harness their collective strength to make Bloor West a competitive business district in the face of challenges in their business environment. The BID has been successful for over 50 years by delivering services over and above Council services on behalf of businesses.

The concept was so successful that it has been adopted in more than 3000 locations in cities and mainstreets in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Singapore and New Zealand.

The first Business Improvement District in Australia is being established this year and is called The New Sydney Waterfront Company. The project has been led by experienced CEO and BID Director Jace Tyrell (previously New West End London BID). BID enabling legislation will be set up to allow businesses to vote for the projects that they want with supporting funding.

Business Improvement Districts operate successfully because they engage with the businesses through surveys, workshops and interviews to develop a Five-Year Business Plan for the defined BID area. The businesses vote to implement the Business Plan and the Budget to deliver the priority projects within it. The vote gives the business group in charge of delivering the Business Plan legal status and a mandate by the business sector. Mainstreets and city centres in 3000 Canadian, USA, UK, NZ and Singapore are benefitting from this best practice approach.

In Australia there are other Council managed types of mainstreet management approaches but the Adelaide Business Collective believes that BIDs to take an active role to guide their future.  See the comparison opposite that shows the clear difference between a Council Subsidiary in South Australia compared to a business-led BID. 


The videos below include shared insights from key managers responsible for BID areas overseas and also discuss a key element of the Business Improvement structure - the BID business ballot. The ballot is a key part of a true BID as it provides a democratic vote for businesses to support the BID area 5 year Business Plan. Usually 50% - 60% of businesses in a BID area submit a vote to support a new way forward.

BENEFITS OF BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS


In this video we talk to some BID leaders about the benefits of BIDs in San Francisco, Birmingham, Bristol and London.


Business Leaders in Rugby UK (popn 114,000) talk about what the BID has delivered for their customers including a clean, safe and friendly visitor experience.


In this video Paul Levy talks about the amazing progress the Center City BID has achieved over 25 years. Starting with clean and safe but moving into marketing and events to attract more customers and visitors.


How can the BID generated sales growth for small independent businesses by increasing their social media and exposure through a coordinated campaign.


In this video a retailer in Gibraltar that talks about the challenges for small businesses and how the benefits need to be communicated in a clear manner.


Improving business in New York City through a collaborative partnership that delivers services over and above Council services. The City Small Business Services are supporting the BID.


Celebrating the success that BIDs in New York City are achieving with Business Improvement Districts. Results are being achieved in many areas of NYC.


In this video the CEO of Oklahoma introduces how the BID has improved the City experience for visitors and customers. What benefits can a BID deliver?


Loving Cambridge is the catch phrase of this very effective BID in Cambridge UK. How do we communicate with small businesses and deliver programs on their behalf.


A Cleaner, Greener and Safer remit for Team London Bridge. Businesses are fully behind the BID and the services it delivers for their customers and visitors.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Log on to the following websites below:

The BIDs Business
http://www.thebidsbusiness.com

BRITISH BIDs
http://www.britishbids.info/about/what-is-a-bid

INSTITUTE OF PLACE MANAGEMENT
https://www.placemanagement.org/the-bid-foundation/

SCOTLAND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
http://www.improvementdistricts.scot/about-improvement-districts

EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL BIDs

AUCKLAND CITY - New Zealand
http://www.hotcity.co.nz

DUBLIN TOWN - Ireland
http://www.dublintown.ie

PHILADELPHIA CENTRE CITY - United States
https://www.centercityphila.org/

JOIN THE 'ADELAIDE BUSINESS COLLECTIVE' HERE