Twenty years. That’s how long Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have been shaping the high streets, city centres and communities across Wales. Two decades of businesses saying: we care about this place, and we’re prepared to invest in its future.
The BID model, born in Canada and now established across the UK, remains rooted in collaboration—bringing businesses together to create the kind of places we all want to spend time in. In 2006, Swansea became the first Welsh city to embrace this approach. Fast forward to today, and there are eleven BIDs running from Caernarfon to Cardiff, each one tuned into the unique needs of their place.
FOR Cardiff became part of that story in 2016. I joined as the deputy and Marketing and Communications Manager from day one. It’s been a journey—one I’m proud to continue now as Executive Director since being appointed last year. Along the way, we’ve delivered some truly standout moments: investing over £10 million back into the city, launching the internationally recognised City of Arcades campaign, and creating initiatives like our Taxi Marshal scheme and The Card—each one building a safer, stronger, more connected Cardiff.
But this story isn’t just about us. Across Wales, BIDs are doing brilliant things. The team in Merthyr Tydfil has raised over £1.9 million to put back into the town, delivering a packed calendar of community events—from festive favourites to foodie festivals like their much-loved Chilli and Chocolate weekend. Over in Pontypridd, the BID has been at the forefront of the town’s flood recovery efforts—reminding us that BIDs are often the first to step in when places need support the most.
These successes speak to something bigger. BIDs aren’t just about cleaning streets or promoting local businesses (though we do that too). They’re about resilience, adaptability, and standing side-by-side with the communities we serve.
I’ve worked in this industry for 16 years, starting my career at Solihull BID, consultancy and then to Cardiff. I’ve watched it grow from just a job to me, to my career. I believe in BIDs as we’re changing the way people think about high streets—from being spaces of transaction to places of connection.
And while BIDs might not be the right fit for every place, what’s clear here in Cardiff—and in Newport, Merthyr, Pontypridd, and beyond—is that when BIDs work closely with their business communities and form strong local partnerships, they become a vital part of the high street puzzle.
So here’s to 20 years of putting places first, at FOR Cardiff we’re showing that when we work closely with our businesses and in strong partnerships locally, BIDs are an important part of the jigsaw in the future of Welsh high streets.