FINAL WEEK ...

FINAL WEEK TO RETURN BALLOT PAPERS
Please note that the ballot has entered the final week and ballot papers must be returned by 21st March please.
If you have lost your ballot paper then the process for a replacement to email for a replacement ballot paper, providing a scanned letter and a scanned copy of ID (detail below) to electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk.
The letter should be addressed to The Independent Scrutineer, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. The letter must be signed by the Eligible Voter and evidence of the voter’s identity must be provided in the form of one of the following:

   a)   Signed Letterhead for the appropriate company
   b)   A signed photocopy of the National Non-Domestic Rating Bill for the hereditament
   c)   A signed photocopy of an item of personal ID such as a Passport or Driving Licence.
          Please do not send original of ID or Bills.

The future of the BID is only possible if a majority of businesses vote YES in the ballot, which will ensure essential BID funding continues. The average cost for independent businesses is around £4 per week which we hope you agree represents excellent value and ensures for Bedminster businesses:

• marketing and promotion
• more exciting streets (events etc)
• tackling crime
• reducing costs
• a strong voice for local businesses.

We firmly believe the benefits of the BID greatly outweigh the costs as evidenced by the dramatic drop in shop vacancies over the past five years - down over a third. Full details of what we aim to do and how we are organised are in the Bedminster BID Renewal Proposal and Business Plan already circulated, but if you have not seen it yet, please click the image below.

If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact George Grace on 07801790645 or email business@bedminster.org.uk and we will be happy to give you a call or meet you face-to-face.

Finally
If you are interested in becoming more closely involved with the BID, we are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. We invariably hold our meetings at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month (though not in March). Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.

About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses. Our stated priorities are to:

• Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
• Market and promote Bedminster
• Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
• Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
• Drive down costs 

Please get in touch if you have any ideas about what we should do. Or, if you wish to attend a board meeting or one of our specialist sub-groups in Marketing, Arts & Culture or Built Environment (ie transport, planning and street improvement), please see our calendar here and drop us a line.

Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminster.org.uk/business-what-is-bid
Customer facing website and social media:

•    www.bedminster.org.uk   
•    www.facebook.com/bedminsterbristol.bs3
•    www.twitter.com/BedminsterTT

Contacts
George Grace - business@bedminster.org.uk
om Beard - markets@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Ben Barker (GBCP) - benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk

We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.

TWEET 'THUNDERCLAP'

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Please support our Tweet 'Thunderclap' to help the BID Ballot

Are you on twitter AND a supporter of Bedminster BID? If so we need your help please!

Early signs are that the ballot is going very well with local independent businesses. However, we need your help convincing Asda, the biggest business and rateable value in the area, to get on board. Asda are critical to a YES vote and so we wish to use a little 'social capital' to encourage them to support the BID and are asking everyone to tweet the following at exactly 3pm on Tuesday 6th March:  

Early signs are businesses are voting strongly in favour of the Bedminster BID which will release £750,000 of much needed investment in the community. We just need @Asda - the biggest business and thus biggest vote - to support this great initiative for the local community.

The BID Ballot is now live!
As you hopefully know ballot papers were posted on 23rd February - they are coloured yellow to stand out a little. Businesses have four weeks to complete them and return in the addressed envelope provided. The future of the BID is only possible if a majority of businesses vote YES in the ballot, which will ensure essential BID funding continues. The average cost for independent businesses is around £4 per week which we hope you agree represents excellent value and ensures for Bedminster businesses:

• marketing and promotion
• more exciting streets (events etc)
• tackling crime
• reducing costs
• a strong voice for local businesses.

We firmly believe the benefits of the BID greatly outweigh the costs as evidenced by the dramatic drop in shop vacancies over the past five years - down over a third. Full details of what we aim to do and how we are organised are in the Bedminster BID Renewal Proposal and Business Plan already circulated, but if you have not seen it yet, please click the image below.
 

If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact George Grace on 07801790645 or email business@bedminster.org.uk and we will be happy to give you a call or meet you face-to-face.

Finally
If you are interested in becoming more closely involved with the BID, we are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. We invariably hold our meetings at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month (though not in March). Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.

About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses. Our stated priorities are to:

• Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
• Market and promote Bedminster
• Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
• Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
• Drive down costs 

Please get in touch if you have any ideas about what we should do. Or, if you wish to attend a board meeting or one of our specialist sub-groups in Marketing, Arts & Culture or Built Environment (ie transport, planning and street improvement), please see our calendar here and drop us a line.

Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminster.org.uk/business-what-is-bid
Customer facing website and social media:

•    www.bedminster.org.uk   
•    www.facebook.com/bedminsterbristol.bs3
•    www.twitter.com/BedminsterTT

Contacts
George Grace - business@bedminster.org.uk
om Beard - markets@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Ben Barker (GBCP) - benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk

We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.

BID Ballot 2018

The BID Ballot is now live!
Ballot papers will be arriving in the post from 23rd February - they are coloured green to stand out a little. Businesses have four weeks to complete them and return in the addressed envelope provided.
As you know the future of the BID is only possible if a majority of businesses vote YES in the ballot, which will ensure essential BID funding continues. The average cost for independent businesses is around £4 per week which we hope you agree represents excellent value and ensures for Bedminster businesses:

• marketing and promotion
• more exciting streets (events etc)
• tackling crime
• reducing costs
• a strong voice for local businesses.

We firmly believe the benefits of the BID greatly outweigh the costs as evidenced by the dramatic drop in shop vacancies over the past five years – down over a third. Full details of what we aim to do and how we are organised are in the Bedminster BID Renewal Proposal and Business Plan already circulated, but if you have not seen it yet, please click the image below.

If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact George Grace on 07801790645 or email business@bedminster.org.uk and we will be happy to give you a call or meet you face-to-face.

Finally
If you are interested in becoming more closely involved with the BID, we are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. We invariably hold our meetings at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month (though not in March). Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.

About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses. Our stated priorities are to:

• Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
• Market and promote Bedminster
• Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
• Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
• Drive down costs 

Please get in touch if you have any ideas about what we should do. Or, if you wish to attend a board meeting or one of our specialist sub-groups in Marketing, Arts & Culture or Built Environment (ie transport, planning and street improvement), please see our calendar here and drop us a line.

Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminster.org.uk/business-what-is-bid
Customer facing website and social media:

•    www.bedminster.org.uk   
•    www.facebook.com/bedminsterbristol.bs3
•    www.twitter.com/BedminsterTT

Contacts
George Grace - business@bedminster.org.uk
om Beard - markets@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Ben Barker (GBCP) - benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk

We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.

February Newsletter 2018

Welcome to the February edition of the Bedminster BID Newsletter

BID Ballot – commences February 22nd
We were delighted to circulate hard copies of the Bedminster BID Renewal Proposal and Business Plan 2018-23 last week, which aims to raise £750,000 for investment in improving the area for businesses. If you haven't seen seen it yet, please click the image below.

Inside you will find all you need to know about what has been achieved over the past five years by businesses working together and - more importantly - the plans for next five years.
Bedminster businesses have told us they want us to continue with our five core strategies of:

·        marketing and promotion
·        creating more exciting streets
·        tackling crime
·        reducing costs
·        a strong voice for local businesses

The future of the BID is only possible if a majority of businesses vote YES in the ballot in March, to ensure essential BID funding continues – the average cost for independent businesses is only around £4 per week. We firmly believe the benefits of the BID greatly outweigh this cost as evidenced by the dramatic drop in shop vacancies over the past five years, the successful opening of many exciting new outlets attracted to Bedminster, and money saving offers exclusive to businesses in the BID area (such as 20% discount on waste collection services).
We hope you have been happy with the BID and wish to support it going forward by voting YES in the ballot. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact George Grace on 07801790645 or email business@bedminster.org.uk and we will be happy to telephone or meet you.
 
Marketing and Promotion
As the BID approaches the end of its five year term most of our attention by necessity is upon the renewal process. However we have one new event – or series of events – which will we hope bring some additional footfall to Bedminster’s pubs and should be worth some useful PR.  

Every Tuesday the aptly named ‘Blood and Butchery in Bedminster’ delves deep into the area’s gruesome history and how its pubs play a key role in these stories; including tales of body snatchers, concrete coffins, hangings judges and the most notorious heist in living memory. Created by the theatre company Show of Strength, Blood and Butchery in Bedminster begins at The Rope Walk on Bedminster Parade and explores tales of murder, mystery, betrayal and bullion, visiting pubs and landmarks along the way.

The first Blood and Butchery in Bedminster to place on Tuesday January 30th and runs each Tuesday thereafter
o May 15th.

See here.

Bristol Food Connections
Bristol Food Connections is back and presents a chance to take part in a celebration of all that is great about Bristol’s food this June 11th-17th. Do you have a food-led activity you would like to shine a light on or wish to bring communities together to celebrate your food culture? This year the theme is TIME. Calls are out for feasts and celebrations, cooking demos, talks and debates, children’s activities, food campaigns, wine tastings, art installations, pop-up markets, supper clubs, farm tours, share a dish days. If you have an idea please contact Bristol Food Connections direct. Submit your event idea at www.bristolfoodconnections.com/run-an-event/ and they will contact you to help develop your ideas.

Finally
The next meeting of the Board is February 27th at 6pm at The Steam Crane. All local businesses are invited should they wish to attend when we intend to have a short meeting and a few drinks.
If you are interested in becoming more closely involved with the BID, we are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. We invariably hold our meetings at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month, and are looking for directors who can commit to a minimum of 5-6 meetings per year. Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.

About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area (equivalent to 1.5% of rateable value) and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses. Our stated priorities are to:

• Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
• Market and promote Bedminster
• Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
• Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
• Drive down costs 

Please get in touch if you have any ideas about what we should do. Or, if you wish to attend a board meeting or one of our specialist sub-groups in Marketing, Arts & Culture or Built Environment (ie transport, planning and street improvement), please see our calendar here and drop us a line.

Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminster.org.uk/business-what-is-bid
Customer facing website and social media:

•    www.bedminster.org.uk   
•    www.facebook.com/bedminsterbristol.bs3
•    www.twitter.com/BedminsterTT

Contacts
George Grace - business@bedminster.org.uk
om Beard - markets@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Ben Barker (GBCP) - benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk

We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.

Christmas Newsletter 2017

Welcome to the Christmas 2017 edition of the Bedminster BID Newsletter

Christmas Events
Highlights for this coming Christmas include

East St Christmas Market on Saturday 25th November. Festive entertainment for the whole family including Santa’s Grotto, Santa’s Elves and reindeer, child friendly rides, street food and an a free arts and craft area. See here.

Christmas Chalk Walk will be taking place on East St at the SAME time. Visitors can create their own Christmas street art using chalk provided. Draw your own festive design on the floor and make yourself part of the scene for the perfect Christmas card photo. SPZero76 will also be making an appearance to add his own mark to the proceedings. See here.

Elf Village will be returning to North Street Green. See how the elves have been getting on at Elf and Safety HQ, Santa’s Workshop & the Elf Inn Hotel. Through December.

Beaming Bedminster Enjoy Bedminster in a whole different light, as shop windows throughout BS3 are illuminated with a series of huge Christmas decorations to celebrate the start of the festive season. Decorative by day and shining by night, these installations will first be lit on Nov 30th, to coincide with the first North Street Nights late night shopping and the switch on of the North Street Lights. If you would like to take part, please email joss@hotsouphouse.com

North Street Nights Throughout the festive season, North & West Street retailers will be opening their doors a little later than usual. Allowing shoppers to head to the area after dark and pick up some special Christmas purchases. Thursday 30th November & December 7th, 14th and 21st.

Sock Snowmen This December the pedestrian bollards of East Street will each be given their own festive makeover. Take part in a workshop to create your own sock snowman to put your own festive touch on East Street. To get involved email info@hotsouphouse.co.uk

Free Christmas Play at Bubble Play Café. Every Saturday afternoon in December, Bubble Play Cafe will be free for little ones! Head on down to The Bubble Play Cafe on East Street between the hours of 2pm & 5pm to make the most of this amazing offer.

Bedminster Lantern Parade will take place on Saturday 9 December at 4pm. Bedminster’s iconic Winter Lantern Parade is back for the sixth year. Street entertainment on the traffic free route starts from 4pm followed by the colourful procession of hundreds of illuminated paper lanterns of all sizes accompanied by live bands. Organisers expect the biggest Parade yet, with a spectacular grand finale firework display at South Street Park. Starting at St Francis Church, North St and ending at South Street Park

Christmas Calendar
All our events are designed to attract new customers to our retail streets and/or encourage more loyalty and frequency with existing shoppers in the area.

• 11 Nov - North St Fair
• 25 Nov - Elf Village opens
• 25 Nov - East St Christmas Market and Christmas Chalk Walk
• 7th Dec - (ie first Thursday) Beaming Bedminster commences and North Street Nights (late night shopping) incl late night openings
• Dec tbc 2x North Street Night Events  
• 9th Dec - Winter Lantern Parade
• Dec - Elf Postal Deliveries 

Also see our new gift guide here.

Next Year’s Events
We know its hard to look past Christmas but for the first few months of 2018 we have a number of events lined up including

• Musicians on the Run – the streets will be alive with music as 15 local musicians battle it out for the a cash prize
• Blood and Butchery in Bedminster – in collaboration with local theatre company, Show of Strength, will introduce locals and visitors to some fascinating pubs – and the dark events that happened nearby. Meeting and starting at the Rope Walk on Bedminster Parade, we’ll take up to 20 people on a journey of exploration that includes 4 pubs and a graveyard. True, dark and strange stories, ranging across the centuries, close to where they happened - with stops for warming drinks on a dark night. See here.

BID Five Year Planning and Renewal
As you may already be aware, our BID has a lifespan of five years. This period will come to an end in Spring 2018. In order to continue the good work we have started and to help ensure a healthy future for Bedminster businesses we need to go through a second ballot process (the initial BID was set after an 85% positive ballot in 2013).
To start the process we completed a consultation process to gather as much feedback as possible from Bedminster businesses regarding the activities the BID should pursue. This will inform our BID Business Plan and Proposal for the next five years which we will publish early in the New Year.

Other News
Big Waste Collection Savings
Please remember we have an arrangement with Bristol Waste Company in which all businesses in the BID area enjoy a 20% discount on high quality waste services. See here.

The Wider Retail Context
 A report has just been published looking at the changes that have occurred in consumer behaviour with regard to bricks and mortar retail, and the concomitant changes brought about in the eating out market.
Key 'takeaways':

• Growth of the internet has led to massive change in retailing and the way destinations function
• Whilst footfall has been declining, the increasing consumer demand for experience based trips has meant that retail destinations are proving resilient
• Population and employment growth has driven growth in the out of home eating market led by branded quick service restaurants and casual dining
• Whilst quality remains an important criterion, price has tripled in importance over the past decade
• Delivery already has a sizeable impact on the home eating market but we are on the cusp of another major transformation in eating out technology
• Tougher trading conditions have forced operators to exploit their assets through the day with the greatest rate of growth in the breakfast period.

For more information please click here.

Finally
The next meeting of the Board is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Tuesday 5th December 6pm at The Steam Crane. All local businesses are invited should they wish to attend when we intend to have a short meeting and a few drinks.
If you are interested in becoming more closely involved with the BID, we are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. We invariably hold our meetings at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month, and are looking for directors who can commit to a minimum of 5-6 meetings per year. Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.

About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area (equivalent to 1.5% of rateable value) and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses. Our stated priorities are to:

• Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
• Market and promote Bedminster
• Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
• Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
• Drive down costs 

Please get in touch if you have any ideas about what we should do. Or, if you wish to attend a board meeting or one of our specialist sub-groups in Marketing, Arts & Culture or Built Environment (ie transport, planning and street improvement), please see our calendar here and drop us a line.

Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminster.org.uk/business-what-is-bid
Customer facing website and social media:

•    www.bedminster.org.uk   
•    www.facebook.com/bedminsterbristol.bs3
•    www.twitter.com/BedminsterTT

Contacts
George Grace - business@bedminster.org.uk
om Beard - markets@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Ben Barker (GBCP) - benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk

We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.

July Newsletter 2017

Welcome to the latest Newsletter from Bedminster BID

Big Waste Collection Savings
Having met with Bristol Waste Company, Bedminster BID are delighted to announce an agreement for a 20% discount on high quality waste services for ALL levy payers. See here.

Calendar of Events
We have a great number of events coming up that we are either running directly or backing with local partners. All are designed to attract new customers to our retail streets and/or encourage more loyalty and frequency with existing shoppers.

Upfest July 29th w/e

Buskers on North StreetSummer

World of Bedminster MonthAugust

World Music on the RunAugust 2nd

Big Bemmie BanquetAugust 20th – Sunday

North St FairSeptember

Skills WeekSeptember

Magicians on the RunNovember

Breakfast in Bedminster II November 4th

Poppies on bollards etcNovember 1-14th

Christmas Lights December  

Winter Lantern Parade December 9th

If you wish to get involved in any event in particular please do get in touch. Contact simon@weareplaster (the BID’s retained marketing and PR advisers).

Current Events

World of Bedminster
We have secured a grant of £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to celebrate all that is Bedminster. Ideas are still forming but so far...

• A month of activities promoting the cultural aspects of Bedminster (August)
• World Music On The Run (Wednesday 2nd August)
• 500 Meals Event (Sunday 20th August)

 We will also:

• Ask cafes and restaurants to add a ‘special’ dish to their menus through August to celebrate the World of Bedminster and possibly use these dishes to create ‘World of Bedminster’ recipes to place in regional lifestyle and food magazines
• Ask shops/cafes to raise awareness of ‘World of Bedminster’ through workshops or classes
• Plan a programme of events could marketed as part of ‘World of Bedminster’ 

Big Bemmie Banquet – Sunday 20th August
This will be held on North Street (Between The Steam Crane and The Old Bookshop). The ideas include:

• 250 foot long picnic bench along North Street with board games from around the world
• Hay bales set up to create additional informal seating areas and a theatre style seating for performances from local groups/clubs
• Local restaurants and cafes invited to serve takeaway food from pop-ups along the street or from their venues
• 500 meals given away
  • 200 tickets to be divided between community and volunteer groups within Bedminster and surrounding areas
  • 100 to be given away on the day
  • 50 tickets to be distributed amongst larger communities in Bedminster i.e. Polish, Spanish
  • 5 tickets each to be given to 30 retailers outside of North, East & West Street to be passed onto customers (focused on industrial BID members, Malago way etc)
• Meal vouchers can be redeemed from traders on the day. Their costs will be covered by the Meal Subsidy included in the budget
• Entertainment: Music and comedy stage, open theatre, buskers, craft activities and games from around the world.
• Other entertainment: Invite worldly/diverse workshops that take place in Bedminster to come along to do a demonstration and introduce the event to the neighbourhood

If you have any ideas to add or would like to get involved please contact Tom or Simon.

Built Environment News
There is quite a lot going on so here’s the potted summary:

• Residents Parking Zone – the review by the council has been completed. We are, however, still awaiting publication of their recommendations and next steps.
• MetroBus – the works have started already and will continue over the coming months. Please see the advice below of our business rates adviser partners.
• New developments  
  • We understand St Catherine’s Place is in the process of being sold. Once completed, work will commence on the 200 new apartments immediately adjacent to East Street, creating very significant fresh demand.
  • Factory1 (the former Lloyds office adjacent to Asda) – contractors are now on site and we hope that within 2 years the building will be largely occupied, again by nearly 200 new apartments, all bringing fresh demand to the area.
  • Bedminster Green is the ambitious redevelopment of much of the industrial property between East Street and Windmill Hill including the upgrading of the train station. We understand that an announcement of a far reaching agreement between local developers Urbis and the council that will enable matters is imminent.
  • Motaman on Bedminster Parade is closing down to be redeveloped into nine new apartments and a new shop. 

If you require any further information regarding any of the above please do get in touch.

BID Five Year Planning and Renewal
As you may already be aware, our BID has a lifespan of five years. This period will come to an end in Spring 2018. In order to continue the good work we have started and to help ensure a healthy future for Bedminster businesses we need to go through a second ballot process (the initial BID was set after an 85% positive ballot in 2013).
To start the process we recently completed a consultation process to gather as much feedback as possible from Bedminster businesses regarding the activities  the BID should pursue. This will inform our BID Business Plan and Proposal for the next five years which we will publish in the autumn.

Other News

Dementia Friendly Bedminster
Bedminster Pharmancy on Cannon Street are on a mission to make Bedminster the biggest dementia friendly shopping district in England.
Watch the short video explaining how you can help here. The accompanying accreditation gives carers and families affected by this illness the confidence that a particular business will be understanding and supportive of their needs.
Bedminster Pharmacy have kindly offered to help businesses with any queries during or following on from the training, providing materials and signposting to local support services helping sufferers, carers and families to live well with dementia. Manager, Ade Williams says - "It would be nice if the Bedminster could have the highest concentration of Dementia Friendly businesses in England."      

Bristol Eating Better Award Scheme
A FREE award scheme publicising food businesses that are taking action to offer healthier and more environmentally friendly foods.
It could help your business in a number of ways:
·        The scheme offers guidance on how you can meet the increasing demand for healthier and more environmentally friendly foods and save money while you are doing so.
·        Research suggests that similar schemes have had a positive impact on businesses.
·        Businesses will receive an award certificate and window sticker and access to other electronic resources.
·        You will also be published on the award website and promoted elsewhere as opportunities arise.
 
How to apply?
·        Firstly fill in the online questionnaire here.
·        You will also be able to save your application to complete at your convenience.
·        Select from a range of simple actions that you can take, or are already taking. The more you do, the higher level of award you get.
·        Whatever type of food business you have, there will be actions you can take.
 Visit the website for further details or email bristoleatingbetter@bristol.gov.uk

Business Rates Reduction for Metrobus Distruptions
With Metrobus works coming to Bedminster keep an eye on your sales levels. If you see a 10% or greater drop compared with last year and believe it caused by the works then you could be in for a refund. You must apply to the Valuation Office Agency while the works are ongoing at www.voa.gov.uk  and of course have evidence to prove your case. They don't make it easy and there is quite a lot of bureaucracy to wade through however it may well be worth it. 

If you don't wish to do the application yourself then of course you can appoint a rates specialist. There are many around however the BID has agreed preferred supplier status with Colliers based on their professionalism and willingness to recognise a discounted fee structure for Bedminster BID businesses.
 
Colliers have worked with the BID for nearly four years, saving over £26,000 for occupiers in that time. Also you will of course have received the new rate bill which came into force on the 1st April. This bill contains your new rateable value (RV); the first time a revaluation has taken place in seven years. Briefly Colliers inform us that North Street is a mixed bag ranging from a decrease of 4% to an increase of 240% in RV. East Street has seen a range of between a decrease of 14% and an increase of 17%.

Colliers can offer professional advice on your rateable value including a measured inspection and ongoing advice on a transparent no-win, no-fee basis. If you would like advice regarding business rates, please contact Dan Johnstone on 0117 917 2059 or Daniel.johnstone@colliers.com.

Finally
The next meeting of the Board is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Tuesday 1st August at The Steam Crane. All local businesses are invited should they wish to attend. Key items are the AGM (to elect new directors, review Year 4 of the BID) and commence discussions for this Christmas in Bedminster (yes, Christmas is coming!). We are now seeking nominations for new directors - please email your suggestions to George Grace (george@towncentred.com) by 29th July 2017.
We are an informal, friendly group, whose basic duties are to direct spending for the BID and Town Team. We invariably hold our meetings at 6pm on the first Tuesday of each month, and are looking for directors who can commit to a minimum of 5-6 meetings per year. Please do get in touch if you'd like to get involved.

About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area (equivalent to 1.5% of rateable value) and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses. Our stated priorities are to:

• Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
• Market and promote Bedminster
• Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
• Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
• Drive down costs 

Please get in touch if you have any ideas about what we should do. Or, if you wish to attend a board meeting or one of our specialist sub-groups in Marketing, Arts & Culture or Built Environment (ie transport, planning and street improvement), please see our calendar here and drop us a line.
 Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminstertownteam.org
Customer facing website and social media:

•    www.bedminster.org.uk   
•    www.facebook.com/bedminsterbristol.bs3
•    www.twitter.com/BedminsterTT

Contacts
George Grace - george@bedminster.org.uk
om Beard - markets@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Ben Barker (GBCP) - benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk

We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.

May Newsletter 2017

Welcome to the latest Newsletter from Bedminster BID

BID Five Year Planning and Renewal
As you may already be aware, our BID has a lifespan of five years. This period will come to an end in Spring 2018. In order to continue the good work we have started and to help ensure a healthy future for Bedminster businesses we need to go through a second ballot process (the initial BID was set after an 85% positive ballot in 2013).
To start the process we are first seeking to gather as much feedback as possible from businesses regarding the activities you would like to see the BID pursuing. Ideally, we would love to speak to you at one of our upcoming consultation events. Alternatively, have a read and fill out the form remotely. Here

New Website
Following the merger of the BID and Town Team we have decided it is better, simpler and cheaper to just run one website. Hopefully you've all seen the new and improved website by now. If not, it's bedminster.org.uk. It's much improved on our last effort and ties in nicely with the new logo. Please let us know what you think and feel free to forward any content to be added.

As well as being customer-facing, business users can now find what they need under the 'Business' link.

In addition, our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram profiles continue to grow. These platforms are a great way to promote your business so please let us know if there is anything you would like us to add.

Calendar of Events
We have a great number of events coming up that we are either running directly or backing with local partners. All are designed to attract new customers to our retail streets and/or encourage more loyalty and frequency with existing shoppers.

 Street art tours - Ongoing

 Window Wanderland Displays - February 24

 Breakfast in Bedminster April 22 – Saturday

 Comedians on the RunMay 18 – Thursday

 Buskers on North St - Thru Summer Months

 Upfest July 29 w/e

 World of Bedminster Month of August

 World of Bedminster - Meal August 20 – Sunday

 World Music on the Run August tbc

 North St Fair - September tbc

 Skills Week - September tbc

 Magicians on the Run - November tbc

 Breakfast in Bedminster II - November 4th tbc 

 Poppies on bollards etcNovember 1-14th

 Christmas Lights December  

 Winter Lantern Parade December tbc

If you wish to get involved in any event in particular please do get in touch. Contact beryl@weareplaster (the BID’s retained marketing and PR advisers).

Current Events
Breakfast in Bedminster returned in late April to a great response. Around 20 venues were involved, some showing films while others had themed events bases around popular movies.

Next up is Comedians on the Run on Thursday May 18th. 20 comics are already booked in for a night of fun and frolics in bars and restaurants across Bedminster. If you wish to be involved please get in touch with Tom at markets@bedminster.org.uk. 

World of Bedmo
We have secured a grant of £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to celebrate all that is Bedminster. Ideas are still forming but so far...

• A month of activities promoting the cultural aspects of Bedminster (August)
• World Music On The Run (Wednesday 2nd August)
• 500 Meals Event (Sunday 20th August)

 We will also:

• Ask cafes and restaurants to add a ‘special’ dish to their menus through August to celebrate the World of Bedmo and possibly use these dishes to create ‘World of Bedmo’ recipes to place in regional lifestyle and food magazines
• Ask shops/cafes to raise awareness of ‘World of Bedmo’ through workshops or classes
• Plan a programme of events could marketed as part of ‘World of Bedmo’ 

The 500 Meals Event – Sunday 23 August
This will be held on North Street (Between The Steam Crane and The Old Bookshop). The ideas include:

• 250 foot long picnic bench along North Street with board games from around the world
• Hay bales set up to create additional informal seating areas and a theatre style seating for performances from local groups/clubs
• Local restaurants and cafes invited to serve takeaway food from pop-ups along the street or from their venues
• 500 meals given away
  • 200 tickets to be divided between community and volunteer groups within Bedminster and surrounding areas
  • 100 to be given away on the day
  • 50 tickets to be distributed amongst larger communities in Bedminster i.e. Polish, Spanish
  • 5 tickets each to be given to 30 retailers outside of North, East & West Street to be passed onto customers (focused on industrial BID members, Malago way etc)
• Meal vouchers can be redeemed from traders on the day. Their costs will be covered by the Meal Subsidy included in the budget
• Entertainment: Music and comedy stage, open theatre, buskers, craft activities and games from around the world.
• Other entertainment: Invite worldly/diverse workshops that take place in Bedminster to come along to do a demonstration and introduce the event to the neighbourhood

If you have any ideas to add or would like to get involved please contact Tom or Beryl.

Built Environment News
There is quite a lot going on so here’s the potted summary:

• Residents Parking Zone – the review by the council has been completed. We are, however, still awaiting publication of their recommendations and next steps.
• MetroBus – the works have started already and will continue over the coming months. Please see the advice below of our business rates adviser partners.
• New developments  
  • We understand St Catherine’s Place is in the process of being sold. Once completed, work will commence on the 200 new apartments immediately adjacent to East Street, creating very significant fresh demand.
  • Factory1 (the former Lloyds office adjacent to Asda) – contractors are now on site and we hope that within 2 years the building will be largely occupied, again by nearly 200 new apartments, all bringing fresh demand to the area.
  • Bedminster Green is the ambitious redevelopment of much of the industrial property between East Street and Windmill Hill including the upgrading of the train station. We understand that an announcement of a far reaching agreement between local developers Urbis and the council that will enable matters is imminent.
  • Motaman on Bedminster Parade is closing down to be redeveloped into nine new apartments and a new shop. 

If you require any further information regarding any of the above please do get in touch.

Business Rates Reduction for Metrobus Distruptions
With Metrobus works coming to Bedminster keep an eye on your sales levels. If you see a 10% or greater drop compared with last year and believe it caused by the works then you could be in for a refund. You must apply to the Valuation Office Agency while the works are ongoing at www.voa.gov.uk  and of course have evidence to prove your case. They don't make it easy and there is quite a lot of bureaucracy to wade through however it may well be worth it. 

If you don't wish to do the application yourself then of course you can appoint a rates specialist. There are many around however the BID has agreed preferred supplier status with Colliers based on their professionalism and willingness to recognise a discounted fee structure for Bedminster BID businesses.
 
Colliers have worked with the BID for nearly four years, saving over £26,000 for occupiers in that time. Also you will of course have received the new rate bill which came into force on the 1st April. This bill contains your new rateable value (RV); the first time a revaluation has taken place in seven years. Briefly Colliers inform us that North Street is a mixed bag ranging from a decrease of 4% to an increase of 240% in RV. East Street has seen a range of between a decrease of 14% and an increase of 17%.

Colliers can offer professional advice on your rateable value including a measured inspection and ongoing advice on a transparent no-win, no-fee basis. If you would like advice regarding business rates, please contact Dan Johnstone on 0117 917 2059 or Daniel.johnstone@colliers.com.

About the Business Improvement District
Bedminster BID funding is generated via a small levy on all eligible businesses in the area (equivalent to 1.5% of rateable value) and paid into a central 'kitty' in November each year, to be spent on projects that benefit Bedminster businesses. Our stated priorities are to:

• Create vibrant streets that excite and delight
• Market and promote Bedminster
• Reduce crime and improve the shopping environment
• Advocate and lobby for Bedminster business interests
• Drive down costs 

Please get in touch if you have any ideas about what we should do. Or, if you wish to attend a board meeting or one of our specialist sub-groups in Marketing, Arts & Culture or Built Environment (ie transport, planning and street improvement), please see our calendar here and drop us a line.

Further Information
Business to business news: www.bedminstertownteam.org
Customer facing website and social media:

•    www.bedminster.org.uk   
•    www.facebook.com/bedminsterbristol.bs3
•    www.twitter.com/BedminsterTT

Contacts
George Grace - george@bedminster.org.uk
om Beard - markets@bedminster.org.uk
Simon Dicken (Wilko) - man242@wilko.co.uk
Ben Barker (GBCP) - benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk

We are grateful to local accountants Tyrrell Procter and communications experts Plaster for their generous pro bono contributions to our activities.