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Discover your #MatchMadeInWorcester on our February Instagram!
If you haven’t yet discovered the Worcester BID Instagram, now’s the time to give it a follow: find it @worcesterbid! It’s your go-to spot for fresh ideas, uncovering hidden gems, and rediscovering all the fantastic things our city has to offer – even those you might’ve walked past a hundred times and never ventured inside.
January’s posts have been a treasure trove of inspiration, introducing locals to new corners of Worcester they might never have explored before, from new bars to sightseeing at heritage locations to places you can go for pottery painting.
And now, with February just around the corner, bringing with it the month of love, Worcester BID is gearing up to launch their exciting #AMatchMadeInWorcester campaign – something a little different, a little unexpected, and perfectly tailored to bring the Worcester community closer together. What exactly does it involve? Well, that’s for us to know and you to find out! Let’s just say, it’s going to help you or your friends find their perfect match – whatever that may mean…
Intrigued? You should be! The campaign officially kicks off tomorrow, and you won’t want to miss a moment. Follow us on Instagram now to stay in the loop and be part of the fun.
At Worcester BID, we pride ourselves on keeping things fresh and on keeping you, our community, updated with all the latest and fun on offer. From promoting our amazing local businesses to helping the community fall in love with their city all over again, it’s a great page to follow… if we do say so ourselves... Be part of it. After all, some of the best matches start right here in Worcester!
Valentines is just around the corner: Say YES at Perfections!
Celebrate Love This Valentine’s with Perfections Bridal Studio
As Valentine’s Day approaches, love is in the air here in Worcester. Whether you’re newly engaged, planning your dream wedding, or just swooning over the romance of the season, there’s no better time to turn your attention to the dress. This Valentine’s, Perfections Bridal Studio is here to make your wedding vision come to life.
Your Perfect Dress Awaits
Nestled in the heart of Worcester, Perfections Bridal Studio is a premier destination for brides seeking elegance, style, and a touch of magic. Known for their exquisite collection of designer gowns, the studio offers everything from timeless classics to modern showstoppers. With Valentine’s being the season of romance, there’s no better time to book your appointment and fall in love with the dress of your dreams.
Personalised Service
At Perfections Bridal Studio, the focus isn’t just on the dress — it’s on you. Their dedicated team understands that every bride is unique. From one-on-one consultations to expert fittings, they’ll help you find a gown that reflects your personality, flatters your figure, and makes you feel absolutely stunning.
Valentine’s Special Inspiration
If you’re a bride-to-be getting married in 2025 or beyond, why not embrace the Valentine’s spirit with a romantic gown? Think soft blush tones, delicate lace, or flowing fabrics that create a whimsical, love-inspired look. Whether you’re dreaming of a traditional white dress or a subtle nod to pinks and pastels, Perfections Bridal Studio has something for every bride.
Book Your Appointment Today
Make Valentine’s season one to remember by starting your bridal journey with Perfections Bridal Studio. Visit their website at www.perfectionsbridalstudio.com to book your appointment, explore their stunning collections, and take the first step towards your perfect day.
From Blue Lights to Safe Days and Nights: Meet Worcester’s Safe Space Team
You’ve likely seen the Safe Space vehicle patrolling the city, offering enhanced safety and support. Even if you’ve never needed its help, have you ever thought about who the talented team working tirelessly to keep Worcester safe are?
Under the dedicated leadership of Worcester BID, appointing Richard Nash as Lead Safe Space Medic, the Safe Space initiative boasts a committed 12-strong team delivering vital community care. Safe Space is supported by team members like David Lynch, who brings 14 years of first-response experience with the police and counter-terrorism teams; Charles Cartwright, a seasoned first responder with over three decades of service; and Mark Glass, an on-call firefighter with extensive expertise in the hospitality and business sectors, bringing indispensable business operation knowledge to the team. Together with eight additional team members, they form a dynamic group devoted to safeguarding you - the city’s residents, workers, and visitors.
In response to Worcester’s changing needs, Worcester BID has extended Safe Space services with funding from The Home Office to conduct Hotspot Policing. This strategy targets areas with the highest concentrations of crime, and the results speak for themselves: since patrols began operating in high-priority locations such as The Cross, violent offences have dropped significantly – with 60 fewer violent incidents recorded.
The service’s impact extends beyond its late-night patrols on Fridays, Saturdays, and student nights (10 PM - 4 AM), now operating during daytime hours from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. As of April 2025, these hours will expand further, covering the city’s opening and closing times from 8 AM to 6 PM. This extended coverage ensures Safe Space is present during the city’s busiest periods, enhancing safety for all.
From attending medical emergencies to assisting businesses with safety concerns and providing support for rough sleepers, the Safe Space team has become integral to Worcester’s sense of security and community.
Their expanded hours and experienced teams’ dedication make Safe Space an essential service for the city. Residents, businesses, and visitors alike can feel confident that the city remains a welcoming, secure place to live, work, and socialise.
So, the next time you see the Safe Space vehicle out and about, don’t hesitate to stop by and say hello to the team – they’re here for you.
#open4business | Riverside Businesses Bounce Back After Floods
Worcester’s riverside is well and truly open for business! Following the recent floods, our resilient local business community is bouncing back, demonstrating once again the spirit that makes our city so special.
A huge round of applause must go to the flood cleaning teams from Worcester City Council for their swift and efficient efforts. With the waters now receded, their hard work has ensured our riverside is safe, clean, and ready to welcome visitors once again for waterside walks and access to businesses.
Among the many businesses back in action is Browns at The Quay, a beloved riverside gem that is open and looking forward to welcoming diners old and new as well as weekend breakers looking to stay in a boutique room with a view. Like others along the riverside, Browns has shown incredible determination and dedication in getting back on its feet quickly after continued high water levels in 2024 and into ‘25.
Also nestled on the riverbanks is Diglis House Hotel, whilst a fantastic option for those staying in the city, they also offer fantastic views from the pub garden for those braving the cold - a great stop off on a weekend walk with the dogs. Why not join them on Fish Fridays to enjoy the classic £12.50 fish and chips in the Conservatory Restaurant?
We want to encourage all locals and visitors alike to come down and support these fantastic establishments. The riverside area is vibrant and ready for you to enjoy. Whether you’re making the most of the scenery with a coffee to-go, enjoying a sit-down meal, or finding the perfect place to stay, your support means everything to the small businesses that make Worcester unique.
There’s no need to avoid the area – in fact, now is the perfect time to rediscover all the wonderful things our riverside has to offer with the winter sun and crisp days making the riverside glisten. Every visit helps our business community, and your city thrive.
Let’s keep the momentum going and show our support for the businesses that work tirelessly to make Worcester a great place to live, work, and visit.
Worcester is #Open4Business.
2024 Recapped: A Year of Social Growth and Success
2024 has been a milestone year for Worcester BID, showcasing remarkable achievements across social media engagement, community outreach, and campaign impact. In total, our campaigns were seen by just under 3 million people in 2024.
Here are some highlights that made the year a standout success:
BID Members Card:
2024 saw the successful distribution of approximately 7,500 BID Member Cards, offering access to over 100 exclusive member discounts. Businesses have praised the card for its utility. During the next BID term, the development of the card to transition to a digital version to enhance accessibility and access for business owners to add employees in the future may become an exciting reality – keep your eyes peeled!
Christmas Campaign:
Our Christmas initiatives captured just shy of 1.8 million views through digital advertising, print campaigns, and creative GIFs. Highlights included:
- Features in The Guardian, Metro, and County Lifestyle magazines.
- GIF-based native digital advertising campaigns on Mums Net and more.
- Weekly Worcester News print and digital articles.
Digital and Social Media SuccessWorcester BID amplified its digital presence in 2024, engaging audiences across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.Social Media Growth:-
- Instagram following increased by 24% (this is around 14% better than the equivalent page benchmark of growth).
- Facebook reached 260,000 users, with a following of 4,500.
- LinkedIn, despite being a brand new account reached 76,000 users and grew its followers to 561 in a short space of time.
Consistent branding and an enhanced focus on engaging content and campaigns led to increased public and business interactions across all platforms.
Website Engagement:
The Worcester BID website experienced significant traffic gains, with:
- 21,000 visits per month
- The new BID Members Card page – a new top-performing page emerged, demonstrating its popularity as a valuable staff perk in the city.
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Looking Forward
We’re eager to continue building on this momentum; from expanding digital offerings like the BID Members Card to a potential app – to enhancing social media campaigns, 2025 promises even greater community engagement and success.
Want to get involved? Drop us an email by pressing here.
New Protections From Sexual Harassment Are In Force
What Worcester Businesses Need To Know
Did you know that a new legal duty came into force at the end of October 2024? Businesses across the UK are subject to new legal obligations designed to strengthen protections against workplace sexual harassment. This legislative change, aimed at ensuring safer and more respectful working environments, is something all businesses—from small independent shops to larger firms—must address.
At Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), we’re acutely aware of the challenges faced by our business community when navigating legal changes. That’s why we’re committed to supporting our members in adapting to these new requirements effectively.
The new law mandates that employers take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This includes implementing clear policies, providing training to staff, and addressing any incidents swiftly and appropriately. For many businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, understanding these requirements can seem daunting. However, failing to comply could result in significant legal and reputational risks.
To aid our members in meeting these new expectations, Worcester BID is offering a free training course, in partnership with The Employment Solicitor, for all members. This practical course has already helped its first cohort of businesses understand their obligations, implement effective preventative measures, and foster a workplace culture that prioritises respect and inclusivity.
By taking part in this training, you’ll gain valuable insights into the law, actionable steps to protect your team, and the confidence to handle potential challenges with professionalism. Worcester BID is proud to provide this support as part of our broader mission to drive business improvement and success in our city via our extensive member training programme.
We strongly encourage all our members to take advantage of this free opportunity. It not only ensures compliance but demonstrates your commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment for your employees and customers alike.
For more information about the training course and to reserve your spot, please contact us at info@worcesterbid.com or press here.
Together, let’s work towards making Worcester a shining example of a thriving and respectful business community.