To BID or Not to BID - LAI London Chapter debates
Want to know how Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are shaping the future of authentic, culture-led placemaking in London?
LAI London Chapter (Lambda Alpha International)’s latest event explored how BIDs across London are developing new strategies and building partnerships to transform places into vibrant and engaging destinations.
The event was organised by Mark Davy who is Head of Events at LAI London Chapter’s Executive Team. Our Creative Director Tanisha Raffiuddin is part of the Executive Team alongside Max Farrell from LDN Collective, Laura Mazzeo from Gardiner & Theobald LLP, and Frances Heeney from Principal Asset Management.
LAI London invited four leading voices, each representing a BID, to participate in an engaging panel discussion, chaired by Frances Heeney:
Mark Williams (Deputy Chief Executive of Heart of London Business Alliance)
Kate Hart (CEO of the Eastern City)
Gianluca Rizzo (Managing Director of Brixton Bid)
Lady Lucy French OBE (CEO of the Fleet Street Quarter)
In this blog, we have gathered the key takeaways from the event. Keep reading to explore all the insights.
Source: Tanisha Raffiuddin
A hunger for culture
“Arts and business are a fantastic recipe for success.”
The panel discussion sparked engaging conversations, with the panel highlighting a strong demand and desire from people for culture and cultural experiences, especially after COVID. They stressed the importance of creating cultural experiences authentically and understanding your audience to make a real impact. BIDs can play a crucial role in meeting this cultural demand and making London an attractive destination to live and visit, as demonstrated by the Heart of London Business Alliance’s ‘Art of London’ cultural programme.
In recent years, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have become essential players in shaping London’s future, acting as a “glue” that binds diverse communities, stakeholders, and ambitions together. At their core, BIDs are a business-led and business-funded body created to improve a specific commercial area. They generate income through legislated levies, allowing them to invest directly in creating the urban experience. This financial model provides the means to create meaningful and lively public spaces.
Once a clear, compelling vision is set, BIDs can help deliver impactful projects. These initiatives ensure that the city is not just a place to work but an environment that appeals to people’s desire for culture, leisure, and community.
Source: Tanisha Raffiuddin
Making London the place to be
“It is all about celebrating what the place is about in terms of its roots, its heritage and its past, while also looking at the present and the future.”
How do we motivate people to get back into the office? The panel addressed hybrid working and how actively using art, events, and community-driven initiatives helps breathe life into London’s streets, making a day in the city feel worthwhile and ‘earning the commute’.
BIDs thrive by forming partnerships and coalitions that reflect the community’s voice. Since no two BIDs are the same, it is valuable to research beforehand if you are considering forming a partnership with one. Brixton Bid’s strategy, for example, does not focus on development but rather on experiences that align with local values. Their efforts, such as launching impactful festivals, send messages of unity and opportunity. Meanwhile, Fleet Street Quarter creates an engaged, vibrant atmosphere by blending arts with business and organising interactive workshops.
There is no doubt that BIDs are at the forefront of London’s transformation, blending arts, culture, and strategic planning to ensure the city evolves in exciting, inclusive ways.
From improving public realms to boosting cultural and economic vitality, they are reimagining urban living, making London not only a global economic powerhouse but also a city with heart, soul, and stories worth experiencing.
We are investment partnerships - NOT BIDs
“I don’t really talk about BIDs as a business improvement district. I don’t think it really describes what we are. We are an investment partnership and that partnership involves all members of the community to coalesce around a vision for the future.””
Though the BIDs shared common views on the importance of their role in creating vibrant public spaces, their approaches also had notable differences.
We delved deeper into this topic during our video interviews, where we asked each speaker these four key questions:
What is the role of a BID in making authentic destinations?
How do you tell the story of your BID?
How do you see BIDs as the way forward for culture-led placemaking?
What is key to making sure BID projects and initiatives meet local community needs?
Lady Lucy French OBE talks about authenticity and getting people excited about the place where they live. When questioned about how they make sure BID projects and initiatives meet local community needs, she addressed the importance of talking to the business community and the wider community. Mark Williams also states that their superpower as BIDs is that they have the ability to convene and bring people together.
There is no doubt that BIDs are at the forefront of London’s transformation, blending arts, culture, and strategic planning to ensure the city evolves in exciting, inclusive ways.
From improving public realms to boosting cultural and economic vitality, they are reimagining urban living, making London not only a global economic powerhouse but also a city with heart, soul, and stories worth experiencing.
About LAI
Lambda Alpha International (LAI) is a global land economics society where professionals connect. It brings together men and women from diverse fields, including real estate, development, management, land use, urban planning, architecture, law, government, academia, and other disciplines focused on the study, use, and economic aspects of land.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect and network with professionals across the built environment sector. We also welcome new members and fresh perspectives. If you would like to learn more about becoming a member, please send an expression of interest to hello@lailondon.org.
The LAI London Executive Committee (L TO R) - Frances Heeney, Tanisha Raffiuddin, Laura Mazzeo, Max Farrell. Missing - Mark Davy.
Source: Silja Kleding
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