Remarkable Commerce Celebrations in the City

November 1^st will see the milestone of 40 years of Body Shop in Worcester!

Amanda Willis from Body Shop in Chapel Walk said "I have been with the store since the beginning, and two other employees have been here for over 38 years each, while another has been here for nearly 15 years! It truly shows how much we love our store."

The Body Shop is the perfect place to find Christmas gifts or treat yourself. Did you know that they even have a refill station where you can bring your empty aluminium Body Shop container and ask a friendly team member to fill it up with your favourite refillable hair care, shower gel, or hand wash? Keep on bringing it back for more, and you even get some extra product for your good eco-deed, as each refill contains an additional 50ml of product for free!

M&M Meats, situated on St. Swithin’s Street, is a local, family-owned business established 40 years ago. They have been in their current city-centre location for 20 years and are still going strong!

Did you know that M&M Meats makes their own sausages with a variety of delicious flavours to choose from? All their meat is locally sourced whenever possible, and they offer a wide range of beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and game. When you shop at M&M Meats, you are truly supporting local.

Staying on the topic of culinary delights, Peter Cooks Bread has just been awarded Best Bakery in the West Midlands at the UK National Bakery Awards! This is an impressive feat as the West Midlands covers around 3 million residents and 13,000 KM²: that’s a lot of potential bakeries to compete with!

Peter Cooks Bread produces the majority of its pastries, breads, and other delicious baked goods by hand, crafted by skilled bakers. From Cinnamon Buns to Poached Pear and Perry Sourdoughs, everything is as fresh as it can get. You can find your perfect bake at 3 The Hopmarket, Worcester.

It appears that 2024 is bringing forth a year of remarkable awards and milestones for the city and its businesses. Please continue to support your local high street and city centre by making in-person purchases to ensure the ongoing success of our county's commerce and community hub, Worcester.

Worcester is #Open4Business.

by BID Team

What Would Happen If Worcester Lost BID's Leadership and Investment?

The potential loss of the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) could have a significant impact on the city’s businesses, residents, and the wider community. For nearly 15 years, Worcester BID has been a crucial part of city leadership, spearheading initiatives that have enhanced the city’s vibrancy and safety. In the past five years alone, the BID’s contributions have become even more vital. As Worcester BID CEO Samantha McCarthy stated, “We hope to continue this great work for another five years with a resounding YES.”

As Worcester continues to grow, BID leadership is more critical than ever. Losing the organisation would not only impact businesses but have far-reaching effects across the city. The BID has introduced innovative projects like the Safe Space and Safer Streets Team, while injecting over £6 million into the local economy, all without additional cost to taxpayers. The absence of such efforts would leave a noticeable gap in Worcester’s landscape.

Indirect Benefits of BID Initiatives

One of Worcester BID’s key strengths lies in the indirect benefits it provides. Seasonal floral displays and aerial city shows have become iconic features of Worcester’s charm, enhancing the city’s appeal to tourists and elevating its profile on social media. These initiatives have not only beautified the city but also helped position Worcester as a cultural and economic destination.

The Safe Space initiative has boosted consumer confidence, reassuring residents and visitors alike that Worcester is a safe place. This has been particularly important for parents sending their children to university in the city. Moreover, the BID’s partnership with the University of Worcester has provided real-world placements for paramedic students, making Worcester an attractive option for students.

Enhanced Services and Business Support

Beyond aesthetics, Worcester BID has made significant improvements to local services. It has helped integrate a radio system connecting local businesses with CCTV, West Mercia Police, and Safer Streets Officers, enhancing crime reduction efforts. This has made the city a safer place for both businesses and residents.

Additionally, through effective lobbying, Worcester BID secured over £100,000 in 2023 to fund city infrastructure projects. These enhancements have made Worcester a more appealing location for new businesses, boosting job creation and supporting the local economy.

The BID’s marketing efforts have also helped establish Worcester as a prime location for entrepreneurs. Worcester's vacancy rate remains below regional averages, while the city boasts an impressive independent business rate of 67.5%. This highlights the BID’s role in fostering a unique, thriving city.

The Role of BID in Building Community

At its core, Worcester BID strives to create a thriving, connected community. It provides a platform for local businesses to collaborate and work towards shared goals, ensuring that the city remains a dynamic and appealing place to live, work, and visit.

As the BID’s future hangs in the balance as it goes to vote next month within the business community, the potential loss of its leadership and investment threatens the progress made over the past 15 years.

Without Worcester BID, the city risks losing not only key services but also a vision for a stronger, more united future one that the community cannot afford to lose.

Find out more at www.worcesterbid.com

by BID Team