The Newbury BID team has been great at working with local businesses since re-opening from lockdowns during the pandemic and have achieved brilliant work driving footfall into the town centre with a great calendar of events.

We will be voting 'YES' for another term for the Newbury BID team, as we believe the BID is working hard to deliver on its objectives for local business.

The last 12-months have been the most difficult I have encountered in my business life and I am sure it has been the same for most other businesses in Newbury and beyond. During this difficult time the BID team has been a shining beacon of hope.

Under Melissa's leadership, I have been very grateful for how they adapted to the circumstances and helped the whole town to work together. Initially, the simple newsletters were providing an invaluable information resource saving me time and effort digesting the ever changing rules and regulations. But also, sharing stories about how other businesses were adapting to the situation. As time went on their focus changed to how Newbury could open up safely and how we could encourage people back into the town. They have worked tirelessly with the police, both councils, and businesses across the town to bring Newbury back to life.

The lights of most businesses were turned off in March 2020, but I am hopeful that the Christmas Lights Switch-On Festival in late November is sign of a brighter future for Newbury town centre and the BID team are a key part of making that happen!

The last 18-months have been a difficult time for all businesses here in Newbury and throughout the UK. The next year is going to be equally challenging as we all try to recover and breathe new life into the local economy. I believe that the BID is a major part of this journey. I was particularly impressed with how the BID was able to help us business owners during the lockdowns, with information and guidance and even arranging virtual events, and then as we came out of the various lockdowns and restrictions, how quickly they were able to arrange events and re-market Newbury as a destination. I was so impressed in fact, that I decide to join the board and I am now the current Chair.

I know that some business owners are sceptical of the BID and what it does for Newbury, and what they ‘get for their money’. I’d be less than honest if I didn’t say that previously I fell into that camp. However, observing the work that is undertaken by the BID team, and the services they provide us, which may otherwise not be provided, I firmly believe that the BID provides more than value for money. From cardboard collecting to arranging events, marketing and other footfall drivers, providing Christmas lights, lobbying on businesses' behalf and being the guardians of the Visit Newbury brand, the BID is instrumental in putting Newbury on the map and I am honoured to be the current Chair. I will be voting YES for a third term as I believe that Newbury BID is working hard in delivering what I, as a business owner, need to keep my businesses moving forward.

As a community bank, we understand the vital role we play for local residents and businesses. Being able to sit down across from a real person in those financial moments of truth - be that a first mortgage or a business development loan - is key. The BID plays an essential role in enabling town centres to thrive and we are delighted to take an active part in supporting our local BID here in Newbury.

Being both a resident and levy paying owner of an independent business in Newbury, I can see a real difference to the quality and variety of town centre events managed and executed by the current BID team.

The bi-weekly newsletter keeps me informed of all upcoming projects, and I can take full advantage of any that suit my business, namely the Artisan Market, Victorian Christmas Fayre and the Christmas Lights Switch-On Festival. They also help with free cardboard collection which helps my business be a little bit greener. Thank you BID and keep up the good work.

The progress made by the relatively new BID team over the last 18-months has been second to none. The working partnerships that Melissa, Alison and Kirsty have formed with everyone in the town centre has really bought us all closer together.

They have transformed the way the BID operates within the town in so many areas, with the marketing of the town and digital presences, a revamped website which now has four times the unique views than previously, incredible TV and bus adverts, fun packed family events throughout the summer and then the unbelievable day-long Christmas Light Switch-On Festival, that took place recently.

This is only a small part of their programme and I am proud to be a keen supporter of Newbury BID and the town as a whole, professionally and personally.

All of this could not be achieved without the Newbury BID and the team working as hard as they do in such difficult circumstances bouncing back from a pandemic. We really would miss them and the work they do, so its going to be a big ‘YES’ from me come ballot time.

Newbury Town Council support the great work of Newbury BID in promoting our town centre and the businesses who trade there. We know that without the support of the BID our town centre would have suffered far greater losses throughout the pandemic and we congratulate the BID on the work they do for our businesses. This was clearly evident after lockdown, as our town centre re-opened more positively and vibrantly than many others. We would also like to thank the BID for the extra sparkle and excitement which they brought to town over Christmas.

The Town Council has many shared interests with the BID and we will continue to work in close partnership in key areas such as Town Centre CCTV, Christmas Lights, and making our town centre more attractive all the year round.

The Town Council pays the BID levy and we believe that it is great value for money. We strongly encourage all town centre businesses to vote for another term for the BID so that we can retain this vital town centre support.

I would love for Newbury BID to be voted in again as I find their work is fantastic in pulling businesses together in Newbury and the work they do is incredible with increasing the amount of attention our town gets.

They have planned in some excellent activities such as the Christmas Lights Switch-On Festival and the exciting Victorian Christmas Fayre! I had never attended a BID meeting until this year and that was down to the amount of communication they put out this year and the positivity at the meeting was infectious, I will be sure to attend more when they happen!

Newbury BID is the catalyst for what makes Newbury thrive as a distinctive “go to” market town. I truly believe that the levy provides good value for money. Even if you represent a business that may not seem to benefit directly much from the levy, it is clear that Newbury BID has significantly reduced the impact of the downward spiral of decline evident in other town high streets. This is an investment in the future – it’s a definite “YES” from me.

The Newbury BID team complement each other incredibly well in setting out and going on to achieve their objectives. They are friendly, contactable and have a true passion in supporting Newbury and our local community.

I’ve been on the BID Board for two and a half years and have seen a very steep upward trajectory in listening to and engaging with levy payers.

The fortnightly comms are highly informative and easy to navigate. The BID team surpassed themselves during the Covid lockdowns, providing vital information to members and fighting for their needs with the relevant authorities.

The new team has a real dynamism, huge commitment and imagination, all of which have been applied to the increasing number of events and the revamped website, social media presence and planning. This year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On was a triumph and attracted huge footfall. And the Victorian Christmas Fayre promises to bring in more visitors to Newbury which will benefit us all.

This team and the BID organisation is perfectly set up to carry the momentum forward for the next five-years, so I highly recommend voting 'YES'!

The BID help make Newbury a terrific place to live, work and visit. They get my 'YES' vote. Here's to the next five years!

Supporting small and independent businesses is a key to helping maintain Newbury’s mix of businesses and contributing to the local economy. The BID has representation on the Board for small businesses and as an independent retailer, it is great to work in collaboration with the board members to ensure we support our local communities and strengthen our networking opportunities to bring together a diverse retail offer.

It is therefore with a resounding “YES” that I will back the BID renewal and encourage local businesses to do the same. In the past few months, we have seen the passion and drive of the team carry momentum, delivering on their promise to make Newbury a special destination for all visitors.

We have seen footfall increase above the national trend, our town continues to thrive in a challenging economy and the number of events hosted adds to the theatre and attraction of Newbury as THE place to visit.

I definitely share the view of local business leaders that the BID is having a positive effect in supporting and improving trading conditions in the Town centre.

As a new business to Newbury, I did not know anything about Newbury BID. Initially, I thought it was just another cost to my business. Wanting to learn more, I attended online BID meetings during the pandemic and learned how much the BID benefits the town and businesses.

Recently I put myself forward for the BID Board. Not only have I met like minded independent business owners, but I have been able to participate in activities that help to promote our wonderful town and local small businesses. I will be voting YES!

The BID has done really excellent work over the years in promoting Newbury town centre as a lively and attractive destination for visitors and businesses alike. Newbury is now out-performing many other towns around the country in achieving footfall figures back to pre-Covid rates, and that is testament to the hard work of the BID and all the businesses and residents involved in supporting BID events and initiatives.

In the past six months alone, we’ve enjoyed Artisan and Vegan markets, live music in the Market Place, a Food and Drink Festival, Christmas Lights Switch-On Festival and Victorian Christmas Fayre – as a long-time supporter of the BID, West Berkshire Council will be voting 'YES' in the coming ballot and I can’t wait to see what exciting events the BID has planned for the next five years!

Inn at Home will be supporting the BID renewal. The Newbury BID team has worked tirelessly to keep our town alive and to support the small businesses that help to create the vibrancy that makes Newbury such an attractive place to visit and shop. They have been our voice throughout the, at times, impossible trading conditions. They have kept us informed, gone out of their way to make us feel part of the town and been creative in their approach to delivering compelling events.

Newbury BID, well done and a huge thank you from the Innkeepers!

The last couple of years have seen the worst trading conditions on the high street in living memory and throughout this period the BID has given us great support and guidance to allow us to keep trading during the lockdowns, and hopefully well into the future. As a levy paying independent shop, we have seen the benefits the BID give to ourselves and to the town of Newbury. We will certainly be voting YES!