Join Kelly Ballard as she chats with Vicky Lee, Director of Bristol City Centre BID, about the inner workings of managing Bristol’s vibrant city centre.

From potential changes in the structure of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), to behind-the-scenes insights into the Bristol Light Festival 2025, this episode is packed with exciting updates and discussion about creating a more welcoming and dynamic city.

Vicky shares her expertise on how BIDs work, the large area covered by Bristol City Centre BID, and upcoming projects to transform public spaces.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Unifying the Bristol BIDs

• Plans to combine the city centre, Redcliffe & Temple, and Broadmead BIDs into a unified Bristol BID.
• Expansion of BID boundaries to include areas like Wapping Wharf.
• The advantages of a larger BID in giving businesses a stronger collective voice.

The Bristol Light Festival

• The festival’s journey since its 2020 pilot and its subsequent massive growth.
• How it attracted 275,000 visitors, generating £8.7 million in additional spending.
• Strategies for engaging businesses and creating a multi-visit experience for attendees.

Transforming the City Centre

• Upcoming public realm projects in King Street, Centre Promenade, and Park Street.
• Goals of reducing vehicle traffic and making public spaces more accessible and inviting.
• Balancing business activity with these transformative changes.

Vicky’s Journey and Passion for Bristol

• Her background in events and tourism and her deep connection to the city.
• The often-unseen work BIDs do to support businesses and enhance the community.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Bristol is evolving and the exciting changes on the horizon for its city centre!