About the BID
Welcome to Wickford Together BID, the Business Improvement District dedicated to helping Wickford High Street thrive.
We are a business-led partnership created to invest in the management, marketing and long-term success of Wickford town centre. Following a successful ballot of local businesses, Wickford BID officially launched in January 2025 for a five-year term.
Our purpose is simple. to create a stronger, more vibrant town centre that benefits businesses, residents, workers and visitors alike. By bringing businesses together, we can deliver projects and services that make a real difference to the local area.
Through the BID, we focus on key priorities, including
-
Promoting Wickford through coordinated marketing, social media and events
-
Increasing footfall and encouraging people to shop local
-
Supporting businesses through networking, collaboration and communication
-
Working with partners to improve safety and security
-
Enhancing the town centre environment and visitor experience
-
Creating a destination people are proud to visit and invest in
Wickford has a proud history and strong community spirit, and the BID exists to build on that foundation. By working together, we can strengthen our high street, support independent and national businesses, and help shape a positive future for the town centre.
The Wickford BID area covers businesses located within the town centre and surrounding commercial areas.
Streets and locations included within the BID boundary are:
Azalea Avenue, Bridge House Close, Elm Road, Golden Jubilee Way (partially), High Street, High Street Parking, Hyde Way (partially), Irvon Hill Road, Jersey Gardens (partially), Jubilee Drive, Keats Way (partially), Ladygate Centre, London Road (partially), Lower Southend Road, Market Avenue, Market Lane, Market Road, Market Road Parking, NCP Car Park, Nevendon Road (partially), North Crescent, Pullman Court, Ramsden Court, Riverside Court, Riverside House, Runwell Road (partially), Silver Way, Station Approach, Station Avenue, Station Court, Stilemans, Swan Lane (partially), The Arcade, The Broadway, The Forge, The Willows, Wickford Main Car Park, Wickford Station, Wickford Station Car Park, Willowdale Centre and Woodlands Road.
Please see the boundary map below for full details.
What are BIDs?
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are an opportunity for businesses to invest in their area in a way that improves it as a place to do business. BIDs are business-led and business-funded, not-for-profit organisations working in a defined area, set up by a ballot of businesses. There are currently more than 300 BIDs successfully operating across the UK helping to sustain and grow local economies across high streets, towns and cities.
Why do we need a BID?
Wickford is a vibrant community town, but it must continue to evolve and adapt to remain competitive in an increasingly challenging economic environment. Local businesses are facing pressures from reduced public sector funding, rising operating costs, ongoing cost-of-living challenges, and established competition from out-of-town retail parks and online services. Our town is an important social centre which needs to be both attractive, accessible and serviceable.
Benefits of a BID
A Business Improvement District (BID) allows local businesses to influence how a ring fenced fund is used to enhance their area. By securing dedicated investment, a BID can support projects that increase local and visiting customers and investors to the area, driving economic growth whilst also engaging and connecting businesses. It also fosters collaboration among local stakeholders to achieve shared goals more effectively.
Wickford BID is a British BIDs member
Membership provides the Board and BID Manager with access to valuable resources, training, industry guidance and expert support. This helps ensure the BID operates with strong governance, remains compliant and follows best practice, while staying up to date with the latest sector developments.
