Business Improvement Districts
More and more businesses around the country are benefiting from the advantages that being part of a Business Improvement District (BID) can bring.
Business Improvement Districts are a way for businesses to work together and fund extra services or improvements to their areas, creating safe, clean and vibrant locations in which business can thrive.
About Us
Groundwork is one of the UK’s most experienced and effective Business Improvement District (BID) delivery organisations. For over four decades, we have worked alongside businesses, communities and public sector partners to create cleaner, safer and more vibrant places to trade.
Our track record is built on real impact: 35+ BIDs created nationwide, delivering over £35 million of investment across town centres, business parks and industrial estates.
A Proven National Leader in BID Innovation
In 2005, Groundwork established the UK’s first ever industrial estate BID at Winsford Industrial Estate, a pioneering project that continues to lead the sector. Winsford remains the UK’s longest running industrial BID, renewed repeatedly by local businesses and achieving ballot approval rates as high as 99%.
Across our wider portfolio, our team consistently secures strong business backing, with several ballots achieving support of up to 96%.
What We Do
Groundwork provides end to end BID services, including:
- Feasibility studies and business engagement
- Full BID development programmes and ballot delivery
- Longterm operational management of established BIDs
- Strategic business support, placemaking and regeneration expertise
- Security, sustainability and environmental project development
- Specialist support for industrial and employment area BIDs
We currently manage 12 active BIDs, representing more than £15 million in planned investment over the next five years.
Our Leadership
The Groundwork BIDs programme is led by:
Greville Kelly – Director of BIDs
A national specialist in industrial BIDs and business led regeneration, Greville pioneered the development of Winsford Ind Estate BID and since then has led BID development projects in Chester City Centre, Warrington, Crewe, Burnley, Blackburn, Wilmslow, Knutsford, High Wycombe / Marlow and Crewe.
Greville also leads pioneering work on decarbonisation and carbon zero strategies across business communities and BIDs.
Jane Hough – Deputy Director of BIDs
A highly experienced placemaking specialist with nearly two decades of BID leadership. Jane has delivered multiple successful BID developments and renewals across Cheshire and the wider region. Jane led the development and management of the Northwich Town Centre BID, before moving into her current role where she leads on a blend of BID development and oversight of our portfolio of 12 managed BIDs.
Together, Greville and Jane lead a team of expert BID practitioners with a longstanding commitment to helping business communities shape successful, resilient and thriving places.
Our Impact
Groundwork’s BID portfolio includes more than 35 successfully delivered or renewed BIDs, including multiterm success stories at:
- Winsford
- Gadbrook Park
- Halebank
- Astmoor
- Blackburn EDZ
- Globe Park
- Northwich
- Burnley
- Crewe
- Keighley
- Wilmslow
- Knutsford
- Cressex
Collectively, these programmes have unlocked over £35 million of investment, strengthened local economies and delivered safer, cleaner and more attractive trading environments for thousands of businesses.
Our client’s, funders and partners include Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Council, Cheshire East Council, Pendle Council, Burnley Council, Blackburn Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Lancashire Council, Derbyshire Council, Buckinghamshire Council, Enterprise Cheshire + Warrington, Halton Council (within the Liverpool City Region), Visit Cheshire & Warrington, Visit Peak District, West Lancashire Council, Trafford Council and Derbyshire, Crewe Town Council, Northwich Town Council, Wilmslow Town Council, Knutsford Town Council, Bradford Council and UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and British BIDs
Our Commitment
We believe that strong business communities create strong places. Groundwork’s BIDs Team is committed to:
- Championing business led regeneration
- Working with local community regeneration partnerships including Pride in Place investments to create stronger pathways to work for local communities.
- Securing investment that transforms local economies
- Delivering trusted, long-term place management
- Supporting businesses to thrive in a cleaner, safer and more resilient environment
With decades of experience and a portfolio of longstanding, high performing BIDs, Groundwork continues to stand at the forefront of BID development and delivery in the UK.
BIDs We Currently Manage
Retail, Leisure, High Street and Town Centre Focused BIDs
Groundwork has led multiple BID development projects in town and city centre locations including Chester, Crewe, Keighley, Warrington, Northwich, Burnley and Wilmslow. With a 14 year track record of supporting retail and leisure BIDs, Groundwork has transformed retail settings across the North of England, creating a new confidence in town centres, reinventing the high street experience for consumer and most importantly supporting local businesses to take a stronger lead in shaping the development of their own towns.
Groundwork conducts work on all the key stages of BID development and delivery, including feasibility studies, BID development and ballot projects alongside the capability and capacity to manage BID over their 5 year terms through renewal.
Northwich Town Centre BID (est. 2014)
- 3 successful ballots securing £3million+ of private sector led investment
- Marketing and events led by the BID have been a key element supporting the regeneration of Northwich, which has attracted new business and resulted in the now iconic annual Pina Colada Festival.
- The BID’s consumer brand ‘Visit Northwich – A Destination with a Difference ‘ reaches 1million consumers annually.
Warrington Town Centre BID (est. 2018)
- 2 successful ballots securing £3million+ of private sector led investment
- The BID has funded transformational events across the calendar year, attracting 1000s of consumers back into Warrington town centre.
Burnley Town Centre BID (est. 2020)
£1.1million private sector led investment into events, marketing, business support and crime and security improvement projects.
The Burnley BID has supported companies and stakeholders to deliver new events, festivals and activity to re-animate the town centre. The BID has also led work to tackle anti-social behaviour and tackle crime and security issues common across high streets.
Knutsford
The proposal for a Business Improvement District in Knutsford was approved by a majority at ballot in November 2025 and the BID commenced in April 2026.
The BID will focus on making Knutsford a more attractive, accessible and, importantly an, economically resilient destination, investing in environmental enhancements and improved public spaces.
Wilmslow Town Centre BID (est. 2022)
- £1million private sector led investment into Wilmslow town centre. The BID is focused on enhancing the consumer experience, leading with a programme of innovative events and festivals from summer sport days, dinosaur trails, space festivals, winter ice rink experience and a Wilmslow street food festival .
- The BID has also invested heavily in environmental enhancements and creating a new brand for Wilmslow.
Crewe Town Centre BID (est. 2024)
- Groundwork’s most recent new BID development project started in April 2024. The project will deliver a £1.5million private sector led investment into Crewe’s key retail and hospitalilty locations including Crewe town centre, Grand Junction Retail Park and business districts leading towards Crewe train station along the Nantwich Road.
Business Parks and Industrial Estate BIDs
Groundwork pioneered the development of the UKs first non-retail BID in 2005, when Winsford Industrial Estate became one of the first BIDs to be established in the UK, and the first non-retail location to become a BID. Since then we have developed eight non-retail BIDs supporting numerous business parks and industrial estates to develop cleaner, greener and safer environments in which business and commerce can thrive. Groundwork conducts work on all the key stages of BID development and delivery, including feasibility studies, BID development and ballot projects alongside the capability and capacity to manage BID over their 5 year terms through renewal.
Winsford 1-5 BID (Cheshire, est. 2005)
- The UK’s first non-retail BID, raising £2million+ of private sector led investment to date.
- Approved at ballot four times, with 90% + approval ratings from companies. The BID has supported Winsford Industrial Estate to diversify and grow resulting in a 46% increase in the number of business premises over 15 years which raise an additional £2million in business rates annually through increased levels of economic activity.
- The BID has invested in CCTV, employee training and environmental enhancements including entrance features, Cheshire fencing, poles and banner features and new signage.
- Winsford Industrial Estate is currently developing a place based approach to decarbonisation for the industrial estate and it’s 200+ resident companies.
Gadbrook Park BID (Cheshire, est. 2009)
- Approved at ballot on four occasions, most recently in 2024 securing support of 98% at ballot.
- The BID has raised £4million of private sector led investment since first approved in 2009.
- The BID manages environmental enhancements, inward investment projects and extensive crime and security including a 20+ camera CCTV system and manned security patrol services.
Globe Business Park BID (Buckinghamshire, est. 2014)
- Approved at ballot in 2014, 2019 with a forthcoming ballot in 2024.
- Globe Business Park is home to range of high profile businesses who operate across pharmaceutical, defence, logistics and telecommunications.
- The BID has led on £2million+ of private sector led investment to improve transport access and egress creating sustainable solutions to employee parking challenges.
West Chester BID (Cheshire, est. 2017)
- Developed by Groundwork in 2017 and re-approved at ballot in 2023 the BID has deployed an extensive CCTV network, taken action to tackle illegal traveller incursions and implemented a range of environmental enhancements include new signage and planting schemes.
Blackburn Economic Development Zone BID (Lancashire, est. 2007)
- Covering three business parks, the BID has deployed an integrated 25+ CCTV system and extensive enhanced environmental cleansing projects to tackle litter and fly tipping.
- The project has been approved at ballot in 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022 raising £2million of private sector led investment.
Cressex Business Park BID (Buckinghamshire, est. 2022)
- Following the success of neighbouring Globe Business Park BID, Cressex BID was approved by a majority of companies in 2022 with a mandate to implement transportation improvements, environmental / security enhancements and to support businesses and invest in employees.
- The BID will invest £1million over its lifetime between 2022 and 2027.
For more information:
Contact Greville Kelly – Business Director, Groundwork.
E: Greville.Kelly@groundwork.org.uk
T: 07714 322 023
