We're helping independent retailers tackle challenges
High streets across the country are undergoing a period of tremendous change. Online shopping and click-and-collect shopping mean that consumers' shopping habits are changing. This presents a series of challenges to the traditional independent retailer, but they can be overcome.
Bath's retail soul lies in the depth and quality of its independent shops. A crucial point of difference between Bath and other shopping destinations in our region – and across the whole of the UK, for that matter – is that the city offers a head-turning diversity of shops and products. Bath is not some identikit town centre off the M4. Rather, the city offers a unique shopping experience, a uniqueness derived largely from its vibrant independent sector.
Of course, Bath's Roman and Georgian architecture lend the city a unique character, too. These two factors – unique retail offering and unique architectural backdrop – combine to give Bath great allure as a destination. As a result, it is vital that all steps possible are taken to protect this allure. And just as Bath zealously protects its priceless architectural heritage, so too should it vigorously protect its independent retail sector.
The Bath BID fights the corner of independent businesses in a host of ways, from performing deep cleans outside premises to providing energy-saving grants. Our BID Rangers support all firms in the city centre regardless of their size and regardless of whether they pay the BID levy. The Rangers can be called out to emergency cleaning operations, and can also perform small maintenance jobs at no charge.
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The BID has also played a role in galvanising groups of independent retailers to work in a more coordinated fashion for the benefit of all in a particular street or area. We organised street meetings in Northumberland Place, Green Street and Bartlett Street, with each meeting resulting in improvements to the trading environment.
The Official Bath App produced in partnership by the Bath BID and Bath Tourism Plus is another tool that can help independent businesses in the city. Every company in the city centre is entitled to have their details on the app, so independents should get in touch if they haven't already done so.
Events run by the BID always take the interests of independents seriously too. Half of the retailers involved in Bath in Fashion are independent, and we take a similar approach to The Great Bath Feast and our Christmas promotional campaign.
The voice of the independents is also heard loud and clear on the BID Board. Three members of the Board explicitly represent small retail, while Jon Overton of Sally Lunn's represents small businesses below the BID levy-payer threshold. This reinforces the fact that the Bath BID is run by business for business.
The Bath BID can be contacted on 01225 430 640 or by emailing info@bathbid.co.uk
Andrew Cooper, manager of Bath Business Improvement District (BID) manager
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