Liverpool Commercial District BID “to transform working environment”
The approval of Business Improvement District (BID) status for Liverpool’s central business district could transform the area, says David Guest, regional director of Bruntwood, one of the backers of the Commercial District BID for the city. This is only the third commercial-led BID in the UK, he says, and a great opportunity for landlords to work together with tenants “to transform their working environment”. The other backers were developers Albany and Dowling.
Writing today in the Liverpool Daily Post, Mr. Guest says local companies are willing to harness the potential of the area and notes that BID status will bring new funds to improve transport and infrastructure. “This should provide a substantial boost to the commercial property market, by providing the right climate for new investment, making sure that the area sparkles when encouraging businesses to locate to the district,” he adds.
Paul Rice took up his five-year post as chief executive of the Commercial District BID on 1 June, to oversee £3m of investment in the area. The BID replaces the Liverpool Commercial District Partnership (LCDP), which Mr. Rice also led, after local businesses voted for the change.
The Commerical District BID will form part of the Liverpool BID Company, joining City Central BID, which has covered the retail heart of the city since 2005. The area covered by the commercial district borders the City Central BID and Liverpool One, and Mr. Rice thinks the links between these organisations will help to make the city more “joined up” than in the past.
“In recent months, the commercial district has continued to diversify with more independent retail and lifestyle businesses opening,” Mr. Guest says. He notes that new businesses have expressed interest in the commercial district that had not previously considered it as a location, including creative and media companies.
