A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led body formed to improve a defined area.

96%
voted in favour of a 3rd term
435
businesses represented by Chester BID
£2.5m
to be invested into the city over the next 5 years

Chester BID is one of more than 340 BIDs operating in the UK and covers the core of the city centre. BIDs are required to deliver additional funding projects and initiatives to a level over and above what is already in place.

Chester BID is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2014 and renewed for a third term in 2024 following a ballot of city centre businesses.

Each BID term runs for five years and will generate approximately £2.5m to be reinvested back into the city centre, focusing on our 3 objectives to enhance, support and promote.

BID members business makes an annual contribution to fund a wide range of improvements detailed in the Chester BID Business Plan.

Where is Chester BID?

Chester BID covers a defined area of the city centre representing over 430 businesses to create an enticing overall visitor experience and ensure continued investment in the city centre.

Our aim is to make Chester a retail, business and leisure destination of choice where people are proud to live, work and visit.

Meet your Team

The Chester BID team is one of our biggest strengths. Compact and driven, they strive every day to provide members with the very best service.

Carl Critchlow CEO Chester BID
Carl Critchlow
Chief Executive
carl@chesterbid.co.uk
Ian Macdonald Digital Channel Manager Chester BID
Ian Macdonald
Digital Channel Manager
ian@chesterbid.co.uk
Luka Morrell Business Engagement Manager Chester BID
Luka Morrell
Business Engagement Manager
luka@chesterbid.co.uk
Monica Roman City Host Chester BID
Monica Roman
City Host
Tom Hughes BID Maintenance Operative Chester BID
Tom Hughes
Maintenance Operative

Download our Business Plan

View our objectives for the next five years, as well as the work we’ve done over the previous five.
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I think the BID are an amazing resource for all businesses in Chester.
(Especially the independents) They have an amazing presence in our city and are always at the end of the phone! (Even for those silly questions) I wouldn’t want to be without their current team. Every one of them is amazing!”
Dawn, Owner of Chester Boutique
It is always a pleasure to work alongside and with Chester BID.
They provide a great personal service, they deliver on promises, and have certainly made sure the relationship between themselves and the stakeholders exists as well as thrive. We love getting involved in the city initiatives when we get the opportunity...Thank you Chester BID
Steve, Manager of Travelbag
Here at Hotel Chocolat, we find the support we receive from Chester BID invaluable.
We always receive feedback from customers who have seen our products/campaigns on BID's Instagram and Facebook, which is fantastic for us in helping us achieve our store budgets. Nothing is ever too much trouble and we hope we have their support for a long time.
Liz, Manager of Hotel Chocolat

The Chester BID Board

Carl Critchlow

Chester BID

Neil Hardy

Chair

Ian Gordon

IKO Hospitality

John Welsh

Hickory’s / Barlounge

Paul Wildes

The Wildes Group

Nigel Driver

Grosvenor Estate

Gemma Davies

Cheshire West & Chester Council

Kate McEvoy

Jigsaw

John Farrell

Ellis & Co

Will Powell

Powells Jewellers

Emma McGlinchey

Co. Secretary / Aaron & Partners

Stephanie Peters

Pastry Pedaleur

Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford

Chester Cathedral

Helen O’Sullivan

University of Chester

Andy Farrall

Andy Farrall Ltd

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