Newport City Centre: Scoping Study for a BID

Project categories: 
Business Engagement
Business Improvement District
Town centre
Client: 
Newport Unlimited
Assignment: 

A scoping study for a BID in Newport City Centre

Timescale: 
March to June 2013
Project Description: 

Businesses in Newport are considering the prospect of establishing a new business led mechanism to support and promote the city centre.

As a result, The means was appointed to undertake a scoping study to:

  • Gather views from the business community & understand key issues in more depth
  • Explore case and material factors surrounding the vitality and viability of the City Centre
  • Find out if there is an appetite in the business community for forming a Business Improvement District (BID) 

As part of the study, The means undertook a form of quantitative and qualitative assessment to gain an understanding of the current trading conditions through a survey of the centre’s businesses, assessing the level of confidence and optimism about the future, and pinpointing what traders see as the key issues.  This was supplemented by a Symposium, organised to engage with and hear further views from local businesses and test initial research findings

Outcomes from our research included:
  • A prospective vision for the area
  • Key themes that a BID programme could be built around
  • Business support for a prospective BID and its potential themes
  • Exposure of key business concerns
  • Opportunities for a prospective BID to add value
 
The scoping report, that explores the potential for a BID in Newport City Centre, can be downloaded here - What is in store for Newport? A Scoping Study 
 
Email Tom Evans at newportbid@themeans.co.uk for more information
Aug.29.2013