About Central BID

Central BID (formerly known as Retail BID) are proud to support and promote businesses in Birmingham

2022-2027: THE BID’S PRIORITIES

1 SAFETY

Patrol Team on duty to provide assistance and a reassuring presence across central Birmingham.

2 FOOTFALL

Marketing, events, and collaboration with key media to drive footfall across the city centre.

3 BUSINESS SUPPORT

Regular liaison with Birmingham City Council on behalf of Central BID members.

4 CLEANING

Regular jet-washing of streets to ensure the city centre looks clean and welcoming and creates a positive image.

5 GREENING

More floral features to brighten the streets, seasonal decorations and study into the long-term benefits of a greener central Birmingham.


Central BID’s fourth term between 2022-2027 prioritises safety, security, influence and support.

Our core mantra of developing the Birmingham City Centre Experience to support our world-class retail and leisure offer had to pivot and adapt quickly when the coronavirus pandemic changed our lives.

Our Patrol Team was on duty throughout the lockdowns, checking businesses that were forced to close and dealing with anti-social behaviour, aggressive begging and retail crime.

We supported the brilliant businesses who moved to online retail, home delivery and click & collect with social media promotion and digital PR, while helping those forced to close with Patrol Team support, business grant guidance and constant communication.

Our fourth term between 2022-2027 continues with creative promotion of all businesses, seasonal flower displays, colourful family attractions and events in Birmingham city centre to generate footfall and a warm welcome for shoppers and workers.

We work in partnership with Birmingham City Council and other service providers on the maintenance and management of the city centre, and monitor the delivery of support and enforcement services.

We continue to give members a voice on the management and maintenance of the city centre, and provide one-to-one personal support to Central BID members.

We are leading the reimagination of the city centre through public realm improvements across the Central BID area.

We think and act beyond our boundary, collaborating with neighbouring BIDs and events organisers to support Birmingham city centre as a destination, and sustain and grow the already substantial employment base.

We work closely with Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, Highways England and public transport providers to ensure Birmingham remains open for business.

The Central BID Board

Led by Chair, Sam Watson, General Manager of Selfridges, the Central BID Board is made up of some of the most senior roles in Birmingham retail, leisure, property, culture and civic affairs.

Sam Watson (Chair)

General Manager, Selfridges

Paul Chittim

General Manager, Primark

Andy Jackson

Director, The Mailbox

Supt Jim Munro

West Midlands Police

Alex Simpson

Area Manager, Greggs

Joanne Gray

General Manager, Staybridge Suites

Phil Innes

Owner, Loki Wine

Dan Murphy

General Manager, Bullring & Grand Central

Nick Loveland

Chief Operating Officer, Town Hall & Symphony Hall (Retail BID Board co-optee)

Councillor Mariam Khan

Cabinet Member, Birmingham City Council


What is a BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area within which local businesses work together to invest collectively in additional projects and services, prioritised by businesses, to address problems and opportunities that affect their business, staff and clients. The BID will not replace existing Council services, and baselines are in place to ensure there is no crossover.