About Watford Town Centre BID

Watford Town Centre BID is a private, not-for-profit limited company, funded by nearly 500 businesses and organisations operating in the BID area, via an annual BID levy. You may have previously known us as Watford BID, we changed our name to Watford Town Centre BID in Summer 2023.

BID stands for ‘Business Improvement District’ and there are over 330 of them in the UK. BIDs are a great way for local businesses and organisations to work together to tackle issues that affect their trading environment. Problems which are too large or widespread for any one business to address can be solved by all businesses coming together to finance and manage improvements. This can increase footfall, make it easier to retain staff, solve difficult issues and ultimately result in higher profits.

Watford BID Ltd began trading on 1 April 2016 and is currently in its second BID term, of five years, following a successful renewal ballot in February 2021.

We aim to deliver the projects and services set out in the BID business plan 2021-2026.

 

The BID levy

We are funded primarily by all the eligible businesses and organisations in the BID area paying an annual BID levy. This levy income allows us to deliver against the BID business plan. It is also used to lever in more funding; for example, from public sector agencies, grant bodies and sponsorship during the 5-year term, maximising the potential funding stream and the benefits that the BID can achieve. Over the course of its first term, in 2020/21 Watford Town Centre BID generated 29% additional income, which was reinvested back into the BID area to support businesses.

Learn more

What we do

Here is a snapshot of the main services we offer and the projects we run.

Watford Business Against Crime

If your business suffers at the hands of shoplifters or individuals carrying out antisocial behaviour then we encourage you to join our Watford Business Against Crime (WBAC) scheme.

 

Contact our BID office and arrange for our WBAC co-ordinator to drop in and see you.

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Get the latest news

Stay informed about the latest news and events in our town. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates on community events, local news, and more.

    Let’s LinkUp

    Watford LinkUp is a platform created exclusively for people working in BID businesses to connect with each other and share information. We have partnered with the Watford & West Herts Chamber of Commerce to extend the reach to their members and give all users the ability to:

    • Connect with Watford Businesses and employees
    • View and upload news and events
    • Access exclusive promotions and discounts available only to LinkUp users
    • Start discussions and chat with local employees
    • Access resources such as footfall data and minutes from Board meetings

    As a BID member, by signing up you will have editor permissions allowing you to add your own news, events and offers – it’s a completely free form of B2B marketing aimed at local organisations and their staff.

    Create your profile and become a part of our growing Watford business community!
    www.watfordlinkup.com

    Dates for your diary

    Here are details of any upcoming BID meetings or events.

    For Watford Business Against Crime members, our monthly meeting takes place on the 1st Wednesday of the month, at 10.45-11.30am at One YMCA, Charter House.

    › View all
    Sep
    26

    Local food businesses invited to launch the Herts Responsible Food Award

    Local food businesses are invited attend the official launch of the Herts Responsible Food Award on Thursday 26th September @ Theobalds Enterprise Centre, EN8 8YD.

    The Herts Responsible Food Award* has been designed in partnership with Hertfordshire-based businesses and encourages local food businesses to make small changes to offer healthier options and operate more sustainably, whilst supporting them to do so.

    The event itself will provide further information on the award and the support and benefits it brings (Including up to 3 funded level 2 Food Hygiene courses, exclusive supplier discounts and a business support package) as well as talks from two partners championing health and sustainability in the industry:

    The talks will be followed an exciting networking opportunity to speak with fellow food businesses and a range of stakeholders eager to help your business such as:

    • Suppliers supporting the Award: JJ Foodservice Ltd
    • Local business support services: Herts Growth Hub, Hertfordshire Futures, Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal, Federation of Small Businesses, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
    • Hertfordshire Sustainability and Healthy Workplaces Teams
    • Hertford Regional College
    • More to be confirmed….

    You can sign up to attend the event for free at: https://LaunchofHertsResponsibleFoodAward.eventbrite.co.uk

    Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Food Award team for further info via: HealthierCatering@hertfordshire.gov.uk

    *Currently only businesses based in the pilot area of Broxbourne can apply for the award itself, however, the event is open to all Hertfordshire businesses and will offer the opportunity for attendees to declare their interest.

    *Please confirm with the BID team in advance that you are planning on attending these events.