Bedford is booming and to prove it we have millions in our sights:
£1 Million worth of Love Bedford vouchers
and
1 Million visitors to the Harpur Centre in the month of December, says Chair of the Bedford Business Improvement District Sam Laycock.
Bedford is a great place to be in business right now. With the Harpur Centre under new ownership, and also the classical Victorian Arcade in different hands, investment is pouring in.
The multi-million Riverside North development with cinema, shops and more opens in 2017 and is expected to bring 100,000s of visitors to the town centre.
Bedford was one of the pilot BIDs back in 2005 and now another 200 have followed across the UK. We have tried and tested the system whereby businesses pay into a pot which they then manage improving and marketing their trading environment. The largest organisations pay the most, the smallest do not pay but get all the benefits. They all are promoted under the Love Bedford banner.
The fact that Bedford’s footfall continues to go up whereas other county and market towns are in decline, shows the influence the BID has to speak up for businesses and consumers.
This Christmas we hope to get closer to the £1 Million Love Bedford gift voucher sales which are available on-line for the first time via www.lovebedford.co.uk but are redeemed in town by 270 different businesses.
Invest in Bedford by buying these vouchers for your staff and customers this Christmas. Be like us, and Love Bedford.