Businesses from across Derby have shared their views on proposals to bring the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), the St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) and the Becketwell area together to form Derby BID.
Business owners, BID directors and city stakeholders attended a consultation meeting to learn more about the plans and discuss what they could mean for Derby.
Brad Worley, BID Manager for St Peters Quarter BID and Cathedral Quarter BID, addressed attendees and explained how one Derby BID would bring together the strengths of the existing areas.
The proposed BID would represent nearly 1,000 businesses. It would create a more joined-up approach to supporting the city centre and give businesses a stronger collective voice.
It would also provide a route for the services and investment currently delivered by the BIDs to continue when their existing terms end.
The meeting at Derby’s Old Bell on Sadler Gate, gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions and help shape the proposal. The comments shared reflected a common belief in the value of businesses working together for Derby.
Fraser Cunningham, Chair of the board of the Cathedral Quarter BID and partner at law firm Smith Partnership, said: “As one single BID, we can join together and be the voice for all the businesses. One voice is a loud voice.”
Simon Wildash, a director on the board of St Peters Quarter BID and managing director at Nielsen McAllister on Green Lane, highlighted what Derby BID could achieve.
He said: “By combining what’s best in the Cathedral Quarter, St Peters Quarter and Becketwell we can work together and ensure we deliver the best possible value and impact for our levy payers.”
Businesses at the meeting also spoke about wanting to play an active role in the future of the city centre.
Milly Child, wellbeing practitioner, designated safeguarding lead and positive behaviour support lead at Bridge the Gap on St Mary’s Gate, attended to hear more about the proposal.
She said: “As a team, we want to be involved in what happens in Derby. I think one BID sounds really positive and could really unite us all.”
For Karen Annable, owner of Bianchi Ink! on the corner of Cornmarket and St James Street, supporting Derby means being involved in what happens next.
She said: “I want to get involved and I want to support what is going on in Derby because this is where my business is.
“For this to work, we have to pull together and work together, and I am prepared to do that.”
That sense of shared purpose was echoed by Manuele Giacone, CEO of Otaku World on St James Street. As well as selling anime merch and Japanese clothing, he hosts Japan Fest and Otaku Link.
He said: “I’m in. I want one Derby BID and I support the proposal. I want to see businesses come together under a unified platform. I think we will be able to do more if we create one Derby BID.”
Feedback gathered through the consultation will help inform the developing plans, including how Derby BID could continue to respond to the priorities of businesses across the city centre. For supporters of the proposal, its importance lies not only in what a unified BID could achieve, but also in the work the existing BIDs already carry out.
Jason Marshall, managing director at Foulds Guitars and a member of the Cathedral Quarter BID Board of Directors, said that work makes a visible difference to Derby.
He said: “The BID’s work goes far beyond individual events. From the rangers, business support, flower displays, Christmas lights and wayfinding, through to first aid courses, community initiatives, artwork and improvements to the appearance and safety of the city centre, it makes a very real difference.
“Without that investment and coordinated support, I genuinely believe Derby city centre would be considerably worse off. One Derby BID gives us the opportunity to build on that work.”
The proposal also looks beyond day-to-day services. Its supporters believe a stronger collective voice could help increase footfall, support growth and attract further investment into Derby.
Councillor John Wright, councillor for Chaddesden East, said: “Bringing together the Cathedral and St Peter’s Quarter business improvement districts (BID) into a single Derby BID will provide the impetus to boost city centre footfall.”
The consultation demonstrated the strength of feeling businesses have about Derby city centre and its future.
Feedback gathered throughout the process will help shape the final proposal ahead of the Derby BID ballot, which opens on 15th October 2026
