About the Future Business District
Colmore Business Improvement District (Colmore BID) led a unique study on The Future Business District both to inform the BID’s response to long term recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and to offer policy directions on best practice for this and other central business districts in the UK.
The Study
The Study had a strong place-based emphasis not just on the future of office working, but where workplaces co-locate and the important linkages with recovery of the High Street, city living, and the future of our cultural institutions, as well as the transport, air quality and climate challenges cities face.
Colmore BID curated the study in partnership with other regional stakeholders including Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and neighbouring city centre BIDs. The Study was also generously supported by commercial partners MEPC and Balfour Beatty.
An independent advisory panel supported the research team, enabling us to draw on expertise in relevant fields across the country.
Colmore BID
Colmore Business District is a business improvement district (BID) established to project manage improvements and services to the business quarter of Birmingham.
A BID is a defined geographical area within which local businesses collaborate to invest in projects, services and initiatives which improve the environment in which they work.
Colmore BID is principally financed through a 1.5% levy on the rateable value paid by a business.
The BID company is a not-for profit and democratically elected company.
The Project Team
Colmore BID director Mike Best developed the Study with Kevin Johnson of Birmingham-based strategic communications firm Urban Communications. Mike chaired the Steering Group overseeing the Study whilst Kevin served as Project Director. Along with Colmore BID chief executive Michele Wilby, they formed the Project Team.
City REDI at the University of Birmingham was appointed as lead Research Partner. It worked alongside the Office of Data Analytics at the West Midlands Combined Authority to undertake this programme. Support also comes from UK Research and Innovation.
City REDI was established by the University of Birmingham with over £4 million of investment to support regional economic growth policy and practice through engaged and relevant research. Its core objective is to help accelerate economic growth in the West Midlands city-region. It develops forecasts and impact studies to map alternative approaches to improving the region’s economic prospects. It is equally concerned with ensuring that growth is inclusive, that government policies and corporate practices improve the life chances of all in the region, as well as lift the competitiveness and performance of our regional economy. Reducing inter-regional inequality across the UK and intra-regional inequalities in the West Midlands is a central goal.
Contact Us
For more information on the Study and for media/press enquiries, please contact:
info@colmorebid.co.uk
For more information on Colmore BID, please visit www.colmorebusinessdistrict.com/about