The Bedminster Business Improvement District (BID) was established in 2013 following a Mary Portas survey of UK high streets. During that time, with the funds raised annually from the local businesses along North, West and East Street, and working with local community organisations such as AGB and BS3 Community, the BID has worked to improve BS3’s retail environment.

Trees, pocket parks, seating, planters, flower baskets, street art and artisan shop signs are the visible results. The BID has also supported fun activities such as the Winter Lantern Parade, street markets, ‘musicians on the run’, and much more – raising the profile of Bedminster across the city.

Over the past two years, helping local retailers survive the pandemic by going online, delivering, and increasing on-street and social media marketing has been crucial. Behind the scenes, growing concerns about the future of East Street have been a focus, resulting in the East Street Vision

The significant developments planned for ‘Bedminster Green’ and the Whitehouse Street area – for which AGB has produced a Community Manifesto – will deliver thousands of new residents into the neighbourhood: What will this mean for a high street which many say is a shadow of its former self?

One concern shared by AGB, is that the retail vision is more likely to be successful if community needs are taken into account. CEO of Windmill Hill City Farm Steve Sayers told us ‘We have a project funded by the Co-op Foundation to look at the feasibility of community space in Bedminster.

That’s now at the stage of gathering community feedback on ideas of what a community space might be.’

‘We recently spoke to about 50 people over 2 days on East Street about the project. Ruth Green from BS3 Community is running a couple of workshops around it too, and another group are going to get some youth input.
Once we’ve gathered and analysed feedback we’ll do some maths to see what sort of rent we could offer up on a space as a Community Hub. We’re trying to get a conversation with developers Firmstone; securing the right space will make or break it.’

We also spoke to Simon Dicken, Chairman of BID and Manager of Bedminster’s Wilko, for his thoughts on the future of East Street.

What do you feel about East Street’s present condition? 
Can it survive as a local high street?

It is not a case of can it survive but more a case of it must survive. So many people rely on East Street for not only shopping but social interaction together with the employment that it brings.

As we become less reliant on cars we must have local shopping areas close to our homes. To get out and about on foot supporting local businesses not only safeguards jobs but is good for mental and physical well being.

It is promising to see new businesses committing to the street and taking over so many unused units but there is still more to be done”

The BID has carried out consultations and delivered an East Street Vision document. Does this give you hope?

How involved were the local community in that initiative?

The East Street Vision is so much more than a document on a computer; it is the embodiment of the hope and passion that the local businesses and local people have for their area.

There was a full engagement across all relevant parties and having such a strong and visual Vision document will only help us securing investment and funding.

What difference do you think the nearby planned residential developments will make?  

Building new homes is always controversial and will inevitably not please everyone affected by developments. However there needs to be a realistic balance, and with the proximity of Bedminster to transport links and the city centre it is clear that Bedminster Green will provide the City with much needed homes in a sustainable way.

There is a new community growing at our heart and the shopping streets of Bedminster will benefit but also make living here more appealing.

What has the BID been able to bring to the table in terms of funding and local authority support? 

Despite the challenges of the last year, the BID has continued to fight for East Street, and with £100k of WECA (West of England Combined Authority) funding already secured, to help bring empty units back into use, the journey has started. Watch this space for what other financial support we are hoping for.