York BID unveils bold new vision for 2026–2031 at milestone AGM

York BID marked a decade of delivery last night (16 July) with the official launch of its new business plan for 2026-2031, unveiled at a packed Annual General Meeting, at Malmaison York.

More than 120 guests – including city centre businesses, partners and stakeholders – came together to celebrate the BID’s achievements over the last ten years and to look ahead to a bold new chapter. The event also marks the start of the countdown to the BID’s third-term renewal ballot, which will take place in September 2025.

The newly launched Business Plan sets out an ambitious but practical roadmap for the next five years – one shaped directly by the city’s business community. Consultation with levy payers revealed a clear message: businesses want more support to help them thrive, and a strong, proactive voice speaking up for York’s city centre. That feedback now sits at the centre of the BID’s plans.

Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of York BID said; “We’ve listened carefully to what businesses want and we’re delivering on it. Helping businesses thrive is central to our next term. From direct support on the ground to major public realm improvements, we’re building on a strong foundation while staying focused on the challenges ahead.”

That foundation includes standout results from the BID’s second term. BID Street Rangers have responded to 5,607 separate incidents, and helped recover over £400,000 worth of stolen stock. The Street Cleaning team has jet washed more than 1 million square metres of pavements, removing over 1 million pieces of chewing gum in the process – making the city cleaner, safer and more welcoming for all.

Alongside safety and cleanliness, York BID has invested heavily in the last 10 years in how we all experience the city centre. Its popular pop-up summer seating programme has delivered more than 400 additional seats in the city centre. 870 sq ft of permanent murals have also been commissioned and installed, and 30 different free family friendly trails have been created to be enjoyed by visitors and residents.

The AGM’s keynote was delivered by Stephen Toal, Head of Property Management Insights at Savills, who shared national data on retail and leisure trends and positioned York as a well-performing city centre.

Stephen Toal said; “York stands out as a city with resilience and drive. It’s outperforming many comparable destinations in terms of footfall and dwell time, which is a testament to the work of the BID and its partners. Our data shows that visitor spend is strong, especially from the American market at the moment and there is potential for York to try and attract more spending from local people. The fact the York BID is planning to continue initiatives that drive local footfall is definitely the correct strategy to aid the sustainability of the city centre.”

City leaders also welcomed the plans. Brendan Paddison, Dean of York Business School at York St John University, praised the BID’s collaborative approach: “The BID has proven time and again that working together gets results. Their commitment to partnership – whether with businesses, universities or local authorities – is helping to create a more inviting and resilient city and we’re proud to support that work”

As York BID heads toward its renewal ballot in 2026, the 2026–2031 Business Plan provides a clear and confident vision; even more practical support, further collaboration, and continued ambition and delivery for York City Centre.