How the Reading BID is transforming the town centre | Alexa Volker
Guest Name: Alexa Volker
Guest Bio: Alexa has worked for Reading BID for the last 7 years, and is now Reading BIDs Manager.
Alexa’s Linked In Profile:
CURRENT EVENT | Fantasy Trail Quest:
What is Reading BID: A BID (Business Improvement District) is a defined area where businesses have voted to fund local business-based activities and services which help to enhance their trading environment. BID services are additional to the services provided by the public services and local authority.
Reading has two BIDs, managed by REDA (Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency): Reading central BID has been in operation since 2006. Abbey Quarter BID was voted in during 2019.
Reading BID website: https://www.visit-reading.com/business/bid
Visit Reading website: https://www.visit-reading.com/
REDA social profiles:
Visit Reading social profiles:
Listen to the episode
Episode time codes
00:25 Welcome and intro to Alexa
01:21 What Alexa likes about living in Reading
02:33 What is the BID and its initiatives
05:50 BID relationships (REDA, Reading Council, police, and security)
07:40 WHat challenges and opportunities do you come across?
08:44 Background to the current fantasy trail
12:45 People like things they’re familiar with
13:10 What is Alexa’s favourite model in the current fantasty trail
13:42 How did you install the trail models?
14:29 What has the feedback been like?
15:48 How can you find out about activities being organised by the BID
17:37 Key takeaway
Videos
Key takeaways
1. You may need to collaborate with others to have a larger impact
2. Check out What’s On Reading for all BID activities happening in Reading centre
3. Keep exploring your local area; there maybe some uncovered gems still to discover
Episode references
REDA What’s On Reading page with upcoming activities: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/reda/whats-on-events
Reading Fantasy Trail Quest: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/reading-business-improvement-district-bid/whats-on/readings-fantasy-trail-quest
SEEDL training platform: https://www.visit-reading.com/business/bid/seedl-training-platform