During December and into 2026, ‘that girl’ was delighted to assist place management company, Locus, with not one but two BID business engagement projects. The first took me to the gem that is Carlisle where the Great Border City BID was balloting for the first time to begin a five year tenue. Not having had a BID previously, the city offered huge potential and over a period of three weeks, ‘that girl’ visited a number of the hundreds of hereditaments that made up the BID area which stretched from the city centre out to industrial estates and business parks.
Delighted to say that the vote was a yes, and the BID is now going ahead full steam in 2026.
A visit ‘down south’ to beautiful historic Brighton also followed as ‘that girl’ assisted the small team at Brighton BID with its re-ballot over several days. What lovely independent businesses form the Lanes and the centre of the city with a good support for their BID and what it’s achieved for them. Another yes vote followed the business engagement undertaken by ‘that gir’ which was a wonderful outcome.
Christmas also saw more work with Wakefield Council at Castleford and Pontefract markets as, working with the fabulous Sue from the Joker Entertainment, we ran Elf School workshops throughout the Saturdays in December as well as ‘that girl’ arranging the installation of the Christmas trees at Castleford market again – well, variety is the spice of life they say!
Another day in January was spent closer to home visiting businesses in Newark, again for Locus on behalf of NSDC, to survey feelings around events taking place in the town centre. What a privilege it is to be able to chat to hardworking businesses in such different places. Hopefully 2026 will continue to allow me to do this.
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