Derby Cathedral Quarter Announced as UK BID of the Year
Derby Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), managed by Derby-based pfbb UK (Partnerships for Better Business Ltd), has clinched a prestigious national accolade in the ATCM (Association of Town and City Management) National Awards 2016.
The Cathedral Quarter was announced BID of the Year by the ATCM National Awards 2016 at a ceremony at Central Hall in Westminster yesterday (Tuesday March 8) – beating other finalists Kingston-upon-Thames and Colmore Business District in Birmingham.
The award was received on behalf of the Cathedral Quarter by pfbb UK Project Manager Ashley Lewis and Ian Ferguson, pfbb UK Director.
Pfbb UK, which develops and manages BIDs across the country, developed the Cathedral Quarter as a BID back in 2007, and has subsequently project managed the area.
Over the past eight years the Cathedral Quarter has been established as a well-respected and thriving destination for retail, leisure and culture, and as the professional services’ central business district with brand values of ‘individual, diverse and inspiring’.
Martin Langsdale is Chair of the Cathedral Quarter Board and Management Group, which drives forward activities under the area’s BID status.
He explained: “We are delighted that the work achieved by the Cathedral Quarter businesses and pfbb UK as project managers has been recognised with this prestigious award.
“We are proud of everything the Cathedral Quarter has achieved, enabling this wonderful part of the city centre to thrive despite changing retail habits and the economic downturn.
“The Cathedral Quarter continues to buck the national trend with footfall and vacancy levels better than the national average. The area continues to attract considerable inward investment with new developments and highly respected retailers moving into the area.
“This and many other improvements to the area would not have been achieved without the considerable efforts of the businesses working together under the Cathedral Quarter business plan and pfbb UK’s effective project management”
Melanie Ferguson-Allen from pfbb UK, who applied for the awards on behalf of the Cathedral Quarter, continued: “The ATCM awards are an important national platform to raise the profile of the area to both visitors and inward investors alike.
“The Cathedral Quarter has built on its strengths to become a renowned destination in its own right. The area is synonymous with quality and diversity with a unique blend of independent and national businesses across a range of sectors situated within an attractive and historic area.”
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Information about Partnerships for Better Business Ltd is available at www.pfbbuk.co.uk ; Twitter @pfbbUK
Information about the Cathedral Quarter is available at www.derbycathedralquarter.co.uk; on Twitter @DerbyCQ and Facebook CathedralQuarterDerby
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Note to Editors
About the Awards
The ATCM National Awards showcase the achievements of Town Centre Managers, Local Authorities, Business Improvement Districts, community organisations, and place-making partnerships of all shapes and sizes across the UK and Ireland. The awards are instrumental in providing recognition for the valuable programmes and projects that are being delivered by dedicated professionals to improve our high streets and town and city centres.
The winners of the seven awards categories are displayed below:
- Developing the Evening and Night-Time Economy : Sheffield City Council.
- Building a Sustainable Town or City Centre Community : Bloxwich Sustainable City orchard, Walsall Council.
- Business Improvement District of the Year : Cathedral Quarter BID, Derby.
- Campaigner of the Year : Simon Pitkeathley, Camden Town Unlimited.
- Digital Engagement : Mill Road Traders Association, supported by Cambridge City Council.
- Diversifying the Business Mix : The Independent Alternative, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
- Inspirational Leader of the Year : Diane Mansell, Walsall Council.
Rotherham were also named the ATCM National Partnership of the Year 2016.
BID of the Year award
There are now over 220 BIDs operating in the UK and Ireland. This award recognises BIDs that have delivered innovative projects or services in their location and can demonstrate the tangible benefits that have been derived from this. BIDs can be extremely effective in their delivery. There are many excellent examples of how professionally managed BID companies, working to the needs and wants of their business community, have helped to improve the reputation of their areas and increase economic performance.
About the Cathedral Quarter
The Cathedral Quarter BID is now in its second term having originally been voted into existence in October 2007 shortly after the opening of the Westfield Centre (now the Intu Centre), a large purpose built retail and leisure complex. Key footfall drivers such as Marks & Spencers and Debenhams relocated to the Westfield Centre, changing visitor patterns and there was a genuine concern amongst the remaining businesses that the area would fall into a state of decline. Under the BID these fears have not only been allayed but the area has gone from strength to strength. By the start of the second BID term in 2013, 90% of businesses within the Cathedral Quarter reported that they expected commercial performance to increase or stay the same over the next five years.
Today, the Cathedral Quarter consists of over 450 businesses across the retail, professional services, and leisure sectors and is home to the vast majority of the city’s cultural and evening economy venues. It has seen significant investment since the formation of the BID with a number of key developments including four award-winning managed office complexes, a centre for arts & film, three hotels and a number of other apartment and office buildings. Within the last year alone, over ninety businesses chose the Cathedral Quarter as their new location with notable arrivals including White Stuff, Turtle Bay and the University of Derby Faculty of Law.
Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945 665; sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk