EFFORTS to explore 'new and exciting' events in Northwich town centre is underway after the BID team was voted in to continue its work.

More than 300 businesses in the town reaffirmed their commitment to the Northwich BID (business improvement district), granting it a third term from September 2024.

The BID aims to make Northwich ‘the place to be, to live, to shop and visit’ and to that end, takes the lead on a number of events bringing people into town.

The upcoming Piña Colada Festival is one such event, while the BID also supports organisations such as Northwich Town Council and Northwich Rotary with other events.

Nikki Halliday, the BID project manager, said: "We know there are challenges for the town (as there are for all towns across the UK) and we continue to work really hard with our partner organisations to react to issues as they arise and feed into any planning and development activities on behalf of Northwich business.

"The new homes that have been built within our catchment area and the fact the town is on the main Manchester/Chester train line mean we want to be seen as the place to visit.

“Working with partners and investors and developers to create great spaces for people to spend time and money in will be our focus.

"Northwich BID 3 has just been successfully voted in, which means from September 2024 we have the support of more than 300 businesses to continue to deliver our existing events programme and to also explore opportunities to bring in new and exciting activities.

"There is a real eagerness from businesses to get involved in events and we’ll be working closely with them to develop new seasonal activities over the next five years.

"Events in Northwich are delivered by a range of organisations to encourage increased footfall and spend in the town. 

"The BID also supports the Christmas Extravaganza, River Festival, Northwich Arts Festival as well as Now Northwich, Firefest and the popular Pokemon trail."

While taking the lead events is part of the overt work done by the BID, some of their efforts are done behind the scene.

Nikki added: "Part of the BID's focus is to improve the aesthetics of the town and we already deliver quite a lot to improve the visitor experience.

"Along with our enviable events programme, the planting across the town centre is part funded by the BID and Northwich Town Council. The bunting that is installed for the summer months is another example of this.

"Some of the activity we fund isn’t always seen, for example we have recently commissioned a blitz of key grot spots in the town to improve the experience for visitors and businesses too."