We asked our Board Directors to share their thoughts on all the benefits the St Albans City Centre BID delivers to its levy payers, and why they will be voting YES to a third term. Each Director is an experienced local business owner or community leader and represents the depth and breadth of St Albans City Centre businesses. As volunteers, they give their time and expertise for free.  Read why they are voting YES.

1. Why are you personally supporting a third term for St Albans City Centre BID?

Without the dedicated funding provided by the BID Levy, many of the economy-boosting initiatives led by the St Albans City Centre BID team would be at risk. MB

The BID delivers for the city centre:  lights, trails, flowers, great social media, great value for money. SG

The BID brings businesses together around a shared vision of making St Albans an attractive, vibrant and successful place to live, work and visit. By helping to attract more visitors, support local businesses and enhance the overall customer experience, the BID plays an important role in ensuring the continued prosperity of our city centre. PB

There would be less of a community without it. SAS

A thriving city centre doesn’t happen by accident; it requires investment, collaboration and a shared vision. I believe St Albans City Centre BID provides a mechanism for businesses to come together, influence decision-making and invest collectively in the success of St Albans. For me, supporting a third term is about protecting and enhancing our city centre for businesses, employees, visitors and residents alike. HK

2. From your experience as a local businessperson and BID Board Director, where do you believe the BID adds the greatest value to the City Centre?

The BID acts as a magnet for great ideas that improve the City Centre experience of local residents and those who visit for work or pleasure. It’s the hub that connects the spokes to the wheel and helps businesses and community groups to work together effectively.  – MB

Through marketing, events, business support initiatives and collaborative partnerships, the BID helps increase footfall and strengthens the local economy. It also plays a key role in bringing businesses and stakeholders together to address shared challenges and opportunities, ensuring that St Albans remains a thriving destination for residents, visitors and businesses alike. PB

Flowers and Christmas lights – they make the place look vibrant. SG

The BID’s greatest value lies in its ability to bring businesses together and deliver initiatives that no individual organisation could achieve alone. Whether it’s promoting St Albans as a destination, improving the public realm, enhancing safety or providing support during challenging times, the BID gives businesses a collective voice and the ability to make a meaningful impact on the city centre environment. I am very proud to be part of St Albans City Centre BID. HK

As small business directors, we’re often pulled in all directions.  Having BID organised initiatives created for us, allows us to get involved without having to spend precious time promoting. SAS

3. Is there a particular BID project, service or initiative that you believe has made a real difference? Why?

KP waste project saved us money. SG
The street scene, planters and seasonal illuminations are great for drawing people into the city.  The BID socials are good for forming relationships and brainstorming business in general. SAS

The service of drawing interest groups together and giving them a place to go with their requests, in the knowledge that the funding won’t be hit by, for example, council cuts or reprioritisations.  MB

One initiative that stands out for me is the installation of defibrillators across the city centre. This project demonstrates the BID’s commitment not only to supporting businesses but also to enhancing the safety and wellbeing of everyone who visits, works in or lives in St Albans. The defibrillators have already made a real difference and have helped save lives. It is an excellent example of how the BID can deliver practical, meaningful improvements that have a lasting impact on our community. PB

4. Where do you see the biggest benefit in businesses working together through the BID?

Combined purchasing gives us more power with vendors – allows for greater economies of scale, more bang for our buck. SG

Education and relationship building – we learn from each other and share some responsibility for making things better. MB

By working together, businesses can help drive investment, improve the visitor experience and ensure that their interests are strongly represented when engaging with organisations such as the council, the police and other key stakeholders. PB

Working together saves time and creates potential opportunities for us all. SAS

Through the BID we can identify common challenges and opportunities and work collectively to address them; that collaborative approach makes the city centre stronger, more resilient and better placed to compete with other destinations. HK

5. Looking at the proposed 2027–2032 Business Plan, what are you most pleased to see included for the next five years?

Continued enhancement of our vibrant city centre.

Lobbying council with our needs – we don’t have a vote. The BID gives us a voice. SG

The plan recognises the changing challenges facing businesses and focuses on practical initiatives that will help ensure St Albans remains a vibrant, welcoming and economically successful city centre for years to come. I am particularly pleased to see the continued emphasis on promoting St Albans, supporting businesses, improving accessibility and enhancing the overall city centre experience. HK

Amplification of businesses’ own marketing. SAS

I am particularly pleased to see a continued focus on attracting visitors, supporting business growth, enhancing safety and strengthening partnerships across the city centre. These priorities build upon the BID’s existing successes while recognising the changing needs of businesses and customers. PB

6. What would you say to a levy payer who is still considering how to vote?

Say yes!! In this period of uncertainty, the BID gives us agency- we can get them to work and lobby for us. SG

How would you feel if the city centre lost its visual appeal and reduced its events? SAS

Vote Yes! Every business owner knows that growth and impact needs continual focus and sustained investment. The BID is the best way to achieve that for our City Centre. MB

City Centre BID provides a level of investment, advocacy and collaboration that would be difficult to replicate individually. A yes vote is an investment in the future success of our city centre and ensures businesses continue to have a strong collective voice in shaping that future. HK

Voting YES means investing in the continued success of our city centre and ensuring businesses have a strong collective voice. The BID gives businesses the opportunity to influence priorities, shape future initiatives and work together to attract more visitors, support local trade and improve the overall environment in which we operate. It is a partnership that delivers benefits for businesses of all sizes and sectors. PB

7. In one sentence: why are you voting YES?

BID is invaluable in adding to what St Albans has to offer for the benefit of all businesses. MB

I am voting YES because the St Albans City Centre BID delivers real value for businesses, attracts visitors, enhances safety and helps create a thriving city centre that benefits everyone. PB

I’m voting yes because the BID helps businesses achieve more together than they could alone, creating a stronger, more vibrant and successful St Albans city centre for everyone. HK

The BID works for us, the team are accessible, they listen and they make things happen. SG

YES, because BID initiatives have increased our awareness and brought in new clients and revenue – long may that continue for small businesses in particular. SAS

Remember, all Ballot papers must be received by 5pm on Thursday 8 October. We recommend you put these in the post on Monday 5 October to ensure they arrive on time.

If you need a replacement Ballot paper, or cannot post in time, please contact us immediately on 01727 251310  or email us on  info@stalbansbid.com

With thanks to:

Sarah Gillow – Galio Jewellers – Chair and Director

Paul Bedi- Barclays Bank (St Albans) – Board Director

Marilyn Bell – SA Law – Board Director

Harry Kinsley – Debenhams Ottaway LLP – Board Director

Sally-Anne Shepherd- Eve & Adam Beauty Clinic – Board Director