Partnership working will be at the forefront of all projects delivered by St Albans BID (Business Improvement District) and we are delighted to report one of the first, and most visible of these partnerships.  A £20,000 clean-up of the City Centre, wholly funded by the businesses of St Albans City centre, has so far covered around 90,000 sq metres of the city, using specialist equipment, gallons of water over acres of pavement and painted over 100 bollards and benches.

The extensive cleansing work, which is being carried out by specialist contractors Veolia and Murrill, will continue for the rest of October and is in addition to the District and County Councils’ streetscene programme. Clean streets make a real difference to a city centre. People have a greater respect for the public realm and cities often find this reduces the dropping of litter, cigarette butts and gum. The city has never been busier so the BID is keen to ensure that visitor experience is at its best to encourage repeat visits and longer dwell times which will then convert into visitor spend.

We were delighted to see the support for the second St Albans Motor Show in glorious sunshine. Over 5,000 additional visitors came to the city centre to see 16 local car dealerships showing 50 new designs and models. Entertainment included a Drive In Cinema, a 7 foot transformer ‘robot’ dancing his way around the City, Downforce Simulators with arcade games and stunning face-painting for kids of all ages. The following weekend, the BID supported the Street Feastival by providing the hilarious street performers to entertain the 15,000 strong crowd: did you have a whiff of the ‘Fairly Fresh Fish’ or one of the Fondant Fancies’ treats?

The full BID area is being rejuvenated by the BID, helping the City to look its best for the Motor Show, the Holywell Hill showcase, the Food and Drink Festival and the upcoming Christmas period. All of these events have been delivered in partnership or solely by the BID to promote the City, its vibrancy and its shiny clean pavements!