By Nigel Huxley, chairman of Bath Business Improvement District (BID)
Being based in Bath over the past five years, I never fail to be impressed at the collaborative approach of the Bath Business Improvement District (Bath BID) and others. There are a large number of enthusiastic people in this city who bring their skills to the debate and who are striving to achieve future city economic success by working closely together. 
The true value of the Bath BID is a ‘sum of the individual parts’ success story – from events such as Bath in Fashion and The Great Bath Feast, to seasonal promotion campaigns; enhanced street and business cleaning services; to our award winning management of the night time economy.
Through partnership working the Bath BID has also identified savings opportunities for its businesses, driving delivery and affecting the individual’s bottom line. All these activities ensure the city remains well managed, economically confident and an attractive one where people want to visit and do business.
Working together is of course the key to delivering a holistic strategy and we have benefitted from a widespread culture of collaboration during these first five years. This has included our involvement with residents’ associations, the police, Bath Tourism Plus, Bath & NE Somerset Council, Bath Chamber of Commerce and the Probation Service to name but a few.
Yet there is still much work to be done and I want to encourage all businesses, both large and small to actively engage with the Bath BID, making the most of the service support offered, ultimately improving their individual situations. Of course they will all be benefitting from the BID regardless, as the BID has improved the overall business and trading environment, but that means there is more reason to engage, as they will undoubtedly gain even more direct and tangible benefits.
As the Bath BID’s fifth year begins, we should stop to recognise its overall success since 2011, to celebrate its individual highpoints, and appreciate the way in which the Bath BID has been instrumental in looking after this fine city.
