Business owners, BID directors and other city stakeholders gathered at The Old Bell on Sadler Gate to hear more about proposals to bring together the Cathedral Quarter BID, St Peters Quarter BID and the growing Becketwell area.
The plans would create a single, more coordinated Business Improvement District for Derby city centre, bringing together the strengths of the existing areas while giving local businesses a stronger collective voice.
Brad Worley, BID Manager for Cathedral Quarter BID and St Peters Quarter BID, spoke to those attending the consultation and explained how a unified Derby BID could build on the work already being carried out across the city.
As well as representing almost 1,000 businesses, the new BID would provide a way for existing services and investment to continue after the current BID terms come to an end.
A stronger voice for Derby businesses
The consultation gave businesses an opportunity to ask questions, share their views and help shape the proposals ahead of a future ballot.
Fraser Cunningham, Chair of the Cathedral Quarter BID board and partner at Derby law firm Smith Partnership, believes bringing businesses together would give the city centre a more powerful voice.
“As one single BID, we can join together and be the voice for all the businesses,” he said. “One voice is a loud voice.”
Simon Wildash, a director on the St Peters Quarter BID board and managing director of Green Lane-based Nielsen McAllister, said the new organisation could combine the strongest elements of each area.
“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,” he said.
Businesses want to play their part
Businesses attending the meeting also spoke positively about having a greater role in shaping Derby city centre's future.
Milly Child, wellbeing practitioner, designated safeguarding lead and positive behaviour support lead at Bridge the Gap on St Mary’s Gate, attended the meeting to learn more about the proposals.
“As a team, we want to be involved in what happens in Derby,” she said. “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, getting involved is an important part of supporting the city where her business is based.
“I want to get involved and I want to support what is going on in Derby because this is where my business is,” she said.
“For this to work, we have to pull together and work together, and I am prepared to do that.”
That enthusiasm was echoed by Manuele Giacone, CEO of Otaku World on St James Street, which sells anime merchandise and Japanese clothing and is also behind events including Japan Fest and Otaku Link.
“I’m in. I want one Derby BID and I support the proposal,” he said.
“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.”
Building on the work already happening
Supporters of the proposal say a new Derby BID would not simply be about restructuring the existing organisations, but protecting and building on the work already taking place across the city centre.
Jason Marshall, managing director at Foulds Guitars and a member of the Cathedral Quarter BID Board of Directors, said the impact of the BID can already be seen throughout Derby.
“The BID’s work goes far beyond individual events,” he said.
“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 proposals also look beyond the day-to-day services offered by the BIDs.
Those supporting the plans believe bringing businesses together under one organisation could help attract further investment, support economic growth and encourage more people to visit Derby city centre.
Councillor John Wright, councillor for Chaddesden East, said: “Bringing together the Cathedral and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement Districts into a single Derby BID will provide the impetus to boost city centre footfall.”
What happens next?
Feedback gathered during the consultation will now help shape the final Derby BID proposal, including how the organisation could respond to the priorities of businesses across different parts of the city centre.
Businesses will ultimately have their say through a formal ballot.
The Derby BID ballot opens on 15 October 2026.