Brilliant Brighton has unveiled its new five-year Business Plan; a proposal that sets out how the city centre can continue to thrive, ensuring it remains a safe, welcoming and vibrant destination that residents and visitors alike will want to return to, time and time again.
Brilliant Brighton (also known as Brighton Business Improvement District or BID for short) is a not-for-profit organisation formed of 517 businesses including shops, salons, bars, cafes and restaurants within Brighton city centre, who contribute and come together to make Brilliant Brighton a fantastic place to work, live and visit. A BID delivers additional projects to those funded by the local authority.
A BID is a defined geographical area which involves all businesses located within it. Traders join together to fund improvements to their trading environment. Every five years, businesses feedback their thoughts on projects they’d like to see delivered, and create a new business plan to be voted on, and if the majority of businesses are in favour of the projects and having a BID, a new BID term starts. The first Brighton BID started in 2006, with successful ballots in 2011, 2016 and 2021. The current BID includes all businesses in Western Road (from the Clock Tower to Montpelier Road), North Street, Preston Street, East Street, Brighton Place, Market Street, Meeting House Lane, Bond Street, Gardner Street and Kensington Gardens.
Over the summer, the Brilliant Brighton team has been engaging with businesses across the city centre to understand their priorities and aspirations. The resulting plan reflects those conversations, focusing on what matters most to local businesses and helping Brighton maintain its position as the leading shopping, dining and leisure destination on the south coast.
Since the last ballot in 2021, the BID has delivered significant results for the city centre:
• Installed the largest Christmas lights display on the south coast, bringing festive sparkle and boosting seasonal trade.
• Supported the community through 42,878 hours of Ambassador patrol time, resulting in over £200,000 worth of stolen goods recovered and 268 arrests carried out by Sussex Police directly linked to BID Ambassador intelligence.
• Enhanced the city’s appearance with 1,800 metres of bunting installed each year and over 1,000 hanging baskets and window boxes brightening up the city centre.
• Delivered 28 events and trails since 2021, including festive celebrations and seasonal activities that draw people into the city centre, as well as member events for business networking.
• Launched the Brighton Gift Card which has seen £60,000 spent in gift card accepting businesses since its launch in summer 2023.
The new £2.6m plan builds on these achievements (and is based on feedback received during the consultation), ensuring continued funding for the Brilliant Brighton Ambassadors - the dedicated team who work seven days a week, 364 days a year, supporting local businesses, assisting visitors and helping keep the city centre safe. It also proposes maintaining the popular festive lighting and summer decorations that attract visitors and enhance the city’s streetscape.
In addition to these on-street initiatives, if successful, the BID will continue to promote the area as a great place to shop, dine and enjoy through city-wide marketing campaigns and events. It will also ensure businesses have a strong collective voice to lobby local authorities, the police and central government on issues affecting the city centre.
The BID offers practical support too, helping businesses save money through discounted parking, services and guidance on local consultations and policy changes.
And, following the lead of many other UK BIDs (there are 345 BIDs throughout the UK) the professional services sector (many of whom have offices above existing members), will be given the opportunity to vote on joining the BID, widening the business community and supporting projects that make the city centre a safe and welcoming place to work, live and visit.
Brighton’s current BID is due to expire in June 2026, at which point all of these services would end unless the BID is renewed. Ballot papers will be distributed to businesses across the city centre by 14th November, allowing the business community to collectively decide whether to continue the BID for another five years.
Gavin Stewart, CEO of Brilliant Brighton, said: “We hope businesses can see the value of working together through the BID to ensure Brighton continues to shine. From keeping our streets welcoming and safe, to supporting business growth and delivering the events and decorations that bring people into the city centre, the BID is a shared investment in Brighton’s success. I encourage all eligible businesses to review the proposals and vote ‘yes’ to secure another five years of positive impact.”
See more about Brilliant Brighton BID at: brilliantbrighton.com.