Welcome to our Huddersfield BID town centre blog and here BID manager SAM SHARP looks at the successes of Huddersfield BID’s first term with the countdown on to the renewal ballot in early 2024.

Huddersfield BID is going into its renewal period for a second five-year term with ballot papers going out at the end of January 2024.

In April 2023, we consulted levy payers, non-levy payers and town centre visitors to understand how a second term should look.

When offered the full selection of services provided by Huddersfield BID, we received a resounding YES to continue with our objectives including Street Rangers, Jet Washing, Graffiti Removal, Promotion of Huddersfield and Footfall Driving Events.

During our first term, we operated throughout the pandemic by helping our levy payers with their grant claims and updates on Covid legislation, adapted to changing high-street habits by offering technology-based loyalty schemes, responded to the cost-of-living crisis by creating a B2B discount scheme for levy payers, and successfully managed town centre events whilst working around on-going developments in the town centre.

Throughout this we maintained a high level of service, true to the values we set out to achieve in 2019.

Our large-scale town centre events; Huddersfield Comic Con – Get Your Geek On, HuddersFeast – Get Your Feast On and HuddersFeast Night Market, plus themed prize trails such as Easter Trail and Lego Trail, have marked Huddersfield as a place to visit; where unexpected, quirky, family-friendly events happen, accessible to all.

A ‘yes’ vote for Huddersfield BID means we continue to plan and deliver lively, exciting events that bring visitors in and encourage them to explore the full town’s offering.

Since 2022, we have removed hundreds of pieces of unsightly graffiti and cleaned thousands of square metres of pathways.

We are proud of Huddersfield and want people to feel safe when they visit, work and shop here. We are proposing to keep jet washing and graffiti removal services in our second term.

A safe and welcome addition, our street rangers patrol the BID zone six days a week – one of the great successes of our first term. A ‘yes’ vote for Huddersfield BID will mean a continuation of street rangers.

We have worked in partnership with key BID zone stakeholders over the last four years, towards a common goal of improving the town and lives of its users.

Huddersfield BID is the body which connects stakeholders and engages with businesses. No other body or organisation within the BID zone provides the combined level and type of service that we provide.

A ‘yes’ vote for Huddersfield BID will mean we continue to work for businesses, report issues around town to relevant organisations and react to change, developing new strategies to assist business.

The whole team at BID carries out duties and objectives with enthusiasm, energy and an eager desire to do more; seeking ways to improve the BID zone to benefit levy payers and visitors.

Huddersfield BID has communicated the benefits of visiting Huddersfield through our Hello Huddersfield website and across social media.

In term two, we plan to take Huddersfield to the rest of the UK by promoting Huddersfield as a great place to live, work and visit.

Building on successes and adding innovation and enterprise to our objectives in term two, will allow us to engage with key stakeholders such as the University of Huddersfield and Kirklees Council on entrepreneurial and improvement projects.

Huddersfield BID wants to continue working with stakeholders as the town develops and evolves for its businesses and visitors.

Huddersfield is an amazing mix of fabulous eateries, inspirational retailers and professional services with a vibrant history and culture to shout about. We want to continue to build on our first term achievements with passion and commitment to adding value.

Our proposed objectives for term two will be:

ENHANCE – To enhance the vibrancy and overall appeal of Huddersfield town centre by creating and maintaining inviting public spaces, ensuring long-term vitality.

  • Jet Washing
  • Graffiti Removal
  • Green Maintenance
  • Business Maintenance
  • Light & Art Installations

ENGAGE – To facilitate meaningful engagement with local businesses, residents and stakeholders, fostering active involvement, empowerment and a sense of unity through collaboration and an engaging calendar of events.

  • Street Rangers
  • DISC Radio Scheme
  • Lively Events & Trails
  • Marketing & Promotion
  • Collaborative Working Groups

ENTERPRISE – To promote growth and sustainability of local businesses, creating an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

  • B2B Partnerships
  • Town Centre Loyalty Scheme
  • Workplace Training
  • Sustainable Initiatives
  • Entrepreneurial Development

Thank you for your continued support, we look forward to working with you in term two. Let’s achieve great things from 2024-29.