St Albans BID was created after a successful vote in the autumn of 2016. It launched in the spring of 2017.
The BID development was initiated with a view of creating a sustainable mechanism for representing business interests and providing support and services to them over and above anything provided by the St Albans District Council.
In 2022, BID secured sufficient votes to secure its second 5-year term. You can find out more about the second term and our business plan here.
We have four main areas of focus:
- Destination Management
- Street Scene & Experience
- Safety & Security
- Business & Community
The BID is led by a volunteer Board of Directors who are experienced local business and community leaders. Find out more about our Board are here.
Day to day, the BID team comprises of our CEO Alison Berneye, BID Manager Vivien Cannon, Communications, Marketing & Destinations Manager Gurpreet Braich and are assisted in the office by Carol-Ann.
Our office hours are Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm, please feel free to get in touch with anything BID related on 01727 251 310 or info@stalbansbid.com.
Alison Berneye CEO
Alison started her career in Hotel Management, initially working at St. Michaels Manor during her college days. She swiftly moved in to Shopping Centre Management attending the same meetings as Phil Corrigan some 25 years ago! Latterly she ran her own Events Management Company with Shopping Centres, Farm Parks and Garden Centres as clients. Due to the success of her business, she retired in January 2020 after 22 years. Alison then took on voluntary roles as a Trustee for St Albans Citizens Advice and as a Mentor for the Princes Trust, supporting young people wanting to start their own business. Having Chaired the St Albans Visitor Partnership for 4 years Alison was invited to become the Independent Chair of the BID Board and subsequently became a BID Director and the CEO. Alison lives in the City Centre and has two adult daughters who also live in St Albans.
Vivien Cannon BID Manager
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Vivien first started out with a small business as an architectural glass craftsperson delivering private commissions using her small shop as a base and teaching adult evening classes. Entering local government, she led a team delivering community development, participation, and engagement in local regeneration areas. Her first link with St Albans was working with Victim Support managing a team of volunteers providing neutral support to witnesses when giving evidence in the Magistrates and Crown Courts. She returned to local government and multi-agency working, headed up community-based and town centre management services and projects that enhanced the offer of a town in Bedfordshire.
Gurpreet Braich Communications, Marketing & Destination Manager
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Gurpreet has a degree in Marketing from the University of Hertfordshire and has worked in Marketing for over two decades across a variety of sectors. A specialist in consumer communications and audience development, Gurpreet honed her skills working in touring theatre, TV and film, events and exhibitions as well as previously managing Marketing and Communications for Watford BID.