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.

› Find out more

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
    Oct
    8

    Watford Sustainable Business Symposium

    Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, and Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, Ian Stotesbury, invite Watford businesses to join them at:

    Watford Sustainable Business Symposium – a chance to learn, connect and collaborate about sustainability.

    Tuesday 8th October 2024, 1:30pm-4pm.

    The Sir Elton John Suite, Watford Football Club, Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER.

    This is an exclusive event just for Watford’s excellent business community.

    Watford Sustainable Business Symposium is open to all businesses and sole traders in Watford. There will be a mix of speaker sessions, panel discussions, roundtable discussions and networking. Watford Council, along with our partners and local businesses, will provide updates on sustainability initiatives; and will showcase progress and challenges to reaching net zero, as well as encouraging participants to share their net zero commitments and challenges.

    Through these events, it is important for the Council to hear from the wider business community in attendance, so there will be plenty of time for questions, feedback and discussion.

    Spaces are limited, so please book your space as soon as possible.

    Oct
    17

    Meet The Mayor Networking event

    The next Meet The Mayor Networking event is on 17th October 2024!

    Hosted at The Tips Room – Watford Palace Theatre.

    Connect directly with Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor and the Economic Development Team.

    This event is a open space where you can find out about the development of our town, discuss any issues your business is facing, find out about funded support and advice, and get the latest update on the Watford Business Pledge.

    Claim your FREE Ticket 👉 https://tinyurl.com/ywe5v4px

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