Lancaster BID has been working tirelessly since the start of the pandemic to ensure that businesses in Lancaster city centre have been kept well informed and received prompt access to support available from both the City Council and central government. As well as providing the key link between businesses and the local authority, Lancaster BID has had to adapt fast to ensure we are well positioned to respond and draw people back into the city centre once current restrictions are able to be safely lifted.
The staff team adapted fast to remote working and board meetings have also continued in a virtual online format. At the April board meeting, two new members were welcomed to the BID Management Board – Maria Chambers and Bruno Buccelli.
Like the majority of businesses, Lancaster BID is working hard to maintain our resources for when restrictions start to be lifted. BID Manager, Tony Johnson, continues to lead our forward planning and remains fully contactable on phone and email. Other staff have been temporarily placed on furlough leave, ready to return as restrictions are lifted to ensure prompt continuation of our work to support businesses across the city centre.
We are conscious that the impact of the lockdown will be long lasting and will have likely impacts on much of our longer term planning for how best to support city centre businesses. To enable this to be factored into our next business plan, we have taken the decision to delay the BID ballot which was due to take place in November this year. This will now be scheduled for February 2021 when all levy payers will be asked to vote to show their support for Lancaster BID to continue to benefit the city centre for a further 5 years.
If you have any suggestions for ways we can support the recovery of the city centre, or are looking for information, support or advice, get in touch on 01524 590650 or email [email protected].
We look forward to continuing to work with you all and to seeing you back in the city centre very soon. Until then stay safe everyone.
