Celebrating Our Accomplishments in 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025

As we reflect on a successful 2024 for the Christchurch Business Improvement District (BID), we are proud of the numerous initiatives and partnerships that have significantly enhanced our community and supported local businesses. Thanks to the dedication of our team, and the active participation of our stakeholders, we’ve made substantial strides in promoting and supporting our Christchurch Businesses.

2024 Accomplishments to date:
Strengthened Community Partnerships: We successfully partnered with local printed publications, contributing monthly columns that kept our community informed about BID developments and local business highlights.

Engagement and Representation: Our representatives participated in regular Christchurch Town Council meetings and BCP Council meetings. These engagements have allowed us to ensure that our local voice is heard and our concerns addressed.

Key Stakeholder Involvement: Securing seats at 4 key external stakeholder meetings enabled us to amplify our voice as a local BID, advocating for initiatives that benefit our community.

Regular Communication: We delivered 12 informative E-newsletters, fostering business community engagement and keeping everyone updated on BID activities and local news.

Promoting Local Businesses: Engaging a specialist social media agency to promote our town and our levy paying businesses to the local community and beyond, helping to share your businesses to a wider audience.  Our collaboration with BCP Council also resulted in the creation of a promotional video for Small Business Saturday 2024, showcasing the vibrant independent business scene in Christchurch.

Town Beautification: Notable beautification efforts included planting of the tiered pedestals across the town and hanging of over 70 hanging baskets.  Summer bunting also enlivened the streets from May to September.

Safety Initiatives: We successfully completed a trial of Town Radio and launched Vanguard Security patrols for Christmas 2024, enhancing safety in the town for businesses, visitors and residents.  The Town Radio scheme will continue with more additions to town security to come.

Community Celebrations: We organised several events and trails helping to increase footfall and dwell time in the town.  These included the Golden Easter Egg Hunt, the return of Food Fest Local on the High Street, the Big Elf Hunt and the wonderful Carols in the Square event.  The BID also sponsored Christchurch Carnival Fireworks display and Stompin’ on the Quomps in the summer of 2024.

Support for Local Businesses: By offering automatic membership to the Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce for all Levy Members, we have continued to strengthen local business networks and resources.

Grant Approvals: Over £60,000 of grant funding has been secured by the BID Management Team which will be used to invest in town public realm upgrades and to increase planting across the town.  There are several other projects on the horizon that are not ready for sharing yet but as soon as we can we will!

Looking Forward to 2025
As we move into 2025, we are energised and committed to further enhancing our community. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:

Website Update: We will be revising our BID website to ensure that all information remains current and easily accessible for our BID community.

External Membership Renewals: We will renew levy member utility discounts and continue our partnership with the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce for all Levy Members.

Community Engagement: Expect to see our “Getting to Know You” questionnaire to better understand the needs of our business community so we can serve you better.

Spring and Summer Activities: Summer bunting will be back in place from May onwards alongside our improved flower pedestals and hanging baskets.  We look forward to bringing Food Fest Local back to the High Street for a second year alongside supporting major events in the town with marketing promotions to increase footfall across the summer.  We’ll be shouting loud about Christchurch and all it has to offer!  We have our next BID Briefing coming up in April 2025 where you can find out more about our plans.

Together, we can build on our achievements and continue to support you, our local businesses, while fostering a vibrant and thriving Christchurch community. We look forward to another successful year!

Stay tuned for more updates and engagement opportunities!