A year ago, our focus was on survival. Now, we look to rebuild. Where the challenge for the last year was on an immediate need for support, perhaps what we face as we look forward is just as significant. There is not a sector within our city unaffected by this crisis, and so recovery needs to be focused on every industry, business and profession.

When we look for positives, we can see the power of our BID Levy Payers in working together. As the COVID crisis unfolded, our work pivoted to identify areas of support that were needed, lobbying locally, regionally and nationally to ensure that support was forthcoming.

Projects like ‘Liverpool Without Walls’, born from the BID Area, have transformed our public realm and reevaluated how we integrate business and space.

Our regular Liverpool Visitor Economy Panels have brought together over 65 voices from the sector, from Liverpool’s leading visitor attractions, industry bodies and experts from across Europe to share best practice. Over 600 people have taken part in these sessions, a vital tool for keeping us connected digitally.

Our Public Art strategy has continued, as the city has looked to its creative industries for both entertainment, inspiration and joy in a difficult time. The Liverpool Plinth, Liverpool Biennial, River of Light and LightNight have taken place within the BID Areas, animating the streets and allowing us to come together safely.

Our proposal for an expanded BID Area, extending the Commercial District to the Waterfront and St George’s Quarter is part of our vision for Liverpool city centre, creating a destination for those who live, work, visit and invest in our city.

As part of our ongoing commitment to accountability and transparency, Liverpool BID has achieved the newly launched BID Industry Standards, designed to help levy payers and the wider public understand and read about the work of the BID, its efficacy and delivery. Liverpool BID is one of the UK’s first BIDs to attain this standard.

Recovery and rebuild will take heart and courage, but the last twelve months have shown us the power of our community when it pulls together.

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