Gloucester BID levy bills are being delivered to businesses this month, marking another year of businesses across the city centre coming together to invest in the future of Gloucester.
The Gloucester BID is an independent, not-for-profit, business-led organisation, with businesses across the BID area collectively investing in projects, campaigns, events and services designed to support the city centre and the businesses that operate here.
The current BID term runs until September 2027, with the levy funding a five-year programme shaped by the priorities of Gloucester businesses. The BID levy is collected by Gloucester City Council on behalf of Gloucester BID and is ring-fenced to deliver the agreed business plan.
What has your BID delivered?
Over the past year, Gloucester BID has continued to invest across its three key priorities: Safer City, Attractive and Vibrant City, and Supported and Promoted City.
There is a lot that happens behind the scenes – as well as plenty that is visible across the city.
Making Gloucester safer
The BID’s City Protection Officers continue to provide a seven-days-a-week presence in the city centre, responding to business call-outs, supporting businesses and working closely with Gloucestershire Police, Gloucester City Council and other partners to tackle anti-social behaviour and business crime.
Over the past year, the CPOs responded to more than 8,600 call-outs from businesses, with more than £28,000 of stock recovered.
The BID has also continued its strong partnership with Gloucester City Safe, supporting businesses to share information and work together on crime prevention. Alongside this, the BID has championed Purple Flag, helping to promote Gloucester as a safe and vibrant destination for an evening and night out.
Looking ahead, the BID will continue its work around safety, including working with partners to tackle ASB hotspots and deter shop theft, supporting the Night Safe service and bringing stakeholders together to develop an Evening and Night-Time Economy Plan.
Making Gloucester attractive and vibrant
Creating a city centre people want to spend time in is another important part of the BID’s work.
Over the past year, the BID has supported and funded more than 24 events across the city, helping to bring people into Gloucester and encouraging them to explore different areas, businesses and venues. These have included Gloucester Goes Retro, Bright Nights and DINO-Roar, alongside supporting community events.
The BID has also invested in the appearance of the city, delivering more than 140 summer flower installations and maintaining existing displays. The BID works with partners on cleaning and environmental issues, helping to identify and tackle the city’s ‘grot spots’ and make the city centre a more welcoming place.
Events and experiences will remain a major part of the programme. The BID will continue to support footfall-driving events including the Docks Winter Market, Gloucester Goes Retro and Bright Nights, as well as celebrating 10 years of the Gloucester Folk Trail.
The BID is also looking ahead to Gloucester Unlocked in 2027, supporting activity around the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Canal and Docks, including the return of the Gloucester Shanty Festival.
Promoting Gloucester and supporting businesses
The BID has continued to run campaigns and promotions designed to encourage people to visit, explore and spend in Gloucester.
From Independents Week and Big Pub Push to Summer of Sound, Foodie Passport, Love Gloucester and Shop Gloucester, these campaigns give businesses opportunities to get involved, promote their offers and collectively tell the story of Gloucester as a destination.
The Gloucester Gift Card has also continued to grow, with more than £55,000 worth purchased and over £50,000 spent in Gloucester businesses. It provides a simple way for residents, visitors and businesses to support local while discovering more of what the city has to offer.
The BID also provides opportunities for businesses to connect, share information and build relationships through Connections Over Coffee and Retailers’ Meetings, while the Welcome to Gloucester Ambassadors, launched in 2026, provide an additional friendly face for visitors and help signpost people to attractions, businesses and venues.
The Believe in Gloucester Awards are another example of businesses coming together to celebrate the people, organisations and businesses that make a difference to the city, with more than 300 nominations received for the 2026 awards.
And there is more to come…
The BID’s 2026/27 programme continues to focus on making Gloucester safer, more attractive and better supported and promoted.
That includes continuing the seven-day City Protection Officer service, investing in planting and the appearance of the city, supporting events and campaigns that drive footfall, promoting the Gloucester Gift Card, working with Visit Gloucester and partners, and continuing to listen to and represent businesses at city stakeholder meetings.
But what should happen next?
This is where your voice is crucial.
Gloucester BID is now consulting with businesses to help shape its third five-year Business Plan for 2027–2032.
The consultation is an opportunity for BID levy-paying businesses to have their say on the issues that matter most to them and the priorities they want to see the BID focus on in the next five years.
The feedback received through the consultation will directly help shape the priorities for the next Business Plan.
Whether your priority is improving safety, tackling anti-social behaviour, attracting more visitors, supporting the evening and night-time economy, improving the appearance of the city, delivering events and campaigns, supporting businesses or promoting Gloucester – we want to hear from you.
The next Business Plan should reflect the needs and ambitions of the businesses that fund it.
Have your say
If you are a Gloucester BID levy payer, please take a few minutes to complete the consultation survey.
Your contribution, your ideas, priorities and feedback can help shape what Gloucester BID delivers from 2027 to 2032.
One completed survey will also be selected at random to win a £100 Gloucester Gift Card.
Have your say. Help shape the next five years of Gloucester BID – find the survey here
For more information – head to https://gloucesterbid.uk/bid-latest-information/
