WINCHESTER Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led organisation, working with over 700 businesses in Winchester city centre, providing help and support through the last challenging year – and it continues to do so.

The BID is a key partner in the Love Local Business campaign.

Executive director, Dr Paul Spencer, said: “The BID has been at the forefront of offering advice and guidance to businesses at the local level throughout the pandemic and helping them to access government grants and other support.

“At the beginning of the pandemic there was so much information, so helping to communicate that was really important.

“Many businesses faced tough challenges and decisions, and the BID has played a critical role, being available for BID members and keeping them informed has been very important.”

The Winchester BID Rangers continue to play a key role too.

During the pandemic they have patrolled the city, working closely alongside the Police and the city’s CCTV service, keeping watch on closed business premises and still providing assistance to all those businesses open for essential goods and services, or offering takeaway or click-and-collect.

As well as being there for businesses, residents and visitors in normal times, they are an important point of contact for business owners and work with the police and other services to assist with antisocial behaviour, incidents of shoplifting and other issues.

The Rangers are often the first responders and are there to provide additional help and reassurance in the city centre.

Dr Spencer said: “The Rangers scheme receives a lot of positive feedback from local businesses and they make a great contribution to making the city centre safer. “We know their hard work and dedication is very much appreciated and they are an important point of contact for business owners in helping to reduce business crime.”

Through the pandemic Winchester BID has also been promoting and marketing the business community.

“We have brilliant businesses in the city centre, not least in retail, leisure and hospitality which have been hit hard and that includes independents and national brands,” added Dr Spencer.

“We have been working hard to ensure shoppers know how businesses are operating and when as we go in and out of restrictions through the use of the ongoing social media campaigns and adverts in the local press.

“Many have pivoted to continue trading in different ways and we want to shout about that as loudly as we can. A vibrant and prosperous city centre is vital for everyone and we must all do everything we can to support and celebrate our local businesses.”