Three new members have been added to the volunteers on the board of the BedfordBID.

Tony Moliterno from Mayfair Financial and Mortgage Consultants, in Lurke Street and long-serving Amanda Olliver of The Body Shop, Silver Street, join recently signed-up team member, Martin Keys of Gallones ice creams in the Edwardian Arcade.

BedfordBID was formed in 2005 as one of only 12 pilot Business Improvement Districts in the UK. It started its fourth term of five years just as the Covid crisis struck, and is now helping pull the commercial components of the town centre together.  

Chair remains Sam Laycock, General Manager of the Harpur Centre. Other volunteers are Steve McBreaty (Cash Converters), Dave Roffey (Bedford College), Malcolm Wyse (Bedford Swan Hotel), Greg Warwick (Jeeves Salon) and Bedford Borough Council representative Charles Royden. All those on the Board are levy-paying businesses, the fund is managed by the Board for the benefit of all town centre businesses.

Said Tony Moliterno: “I’ve been very impressed with how the BID can get things done which otherwise would have left me sitting on the phone for hours. They know who to talk to and so can cut through.

“I am proud to see so many independent businesses in Bedford and want to help them thrive in these challenging times.”