Sara Tupper: Chelmsford Business Improvement District

Today we heard from Sara Tupper of the Chelmsford Business Improvement District (“Chelmsford BID”). This is a not-for-profit company owned by the 450 businesses within a defined Business Improvement District in central Chelmsford. It is an area roughly bounded by Victoria Road to the north, Springfield Road and New Bridge Road to the east, Parkway to the south and the A1099 to the west.

The company runs the Chelmsford For You website. It aims to attract businesses and visitors into the area and promote Chelmsford as a good place to live and work. It has adopted three themes:

• Chelmsford For Discovery
• Chelmsford For Experience
• Chelmsford For Growth

Business Improvement Districts are governed by the BID Regulations 2004. Chelmsford BID’s member businesses pay an annual contribution equivalent to 1.5% of their rateable values, provided the rateable value is at least £15,000. The twelve directors are voted on by the members and come from a wide range of the businesses. The company has two full-time employees, including Sara, and two -part-time.

One of the recent projects was the Chelmsford Street Art Trail, which attracted people from as far away as Sheffield. Examples of the street art can still be seen around the city.

Chelmsford BID has also taken leading roles in the switching on of the Chelmsford Christmas lights and the Monster Festival. Additionally it is working to make Chelmsford a safe place for women.

Earlier this year Sara worked with the directors to produce a new business plan. This has now been accepted by the government and the district’s BID status approved for the next five years.