From the Manor: Time to decide on the future of the Manor Royal BID

By Steve Sawyer, Executive Director, Manor Royal BIDContributor
Published 24th Jan 2023, 09:07 BST
Updated 24th Jan 2023, 09:28 BST
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A Business Improvement District, or BID, is a specifically defined area where businesses vote to collectively invest in local improvements to enhance the area they work and trade in.

This year businesses are voting on the future of the Manor Royal BID.

“This is something every BID in the UK has to do.” Steve Sawyer, the Manor Royal BID Executive Director explains, “It’s quite stressful but it keeps us focussed on getting things done and continually looking to improve Manor Royal for both the businesses and the people that work here.”

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There are about 330 BIDs in the UK. Manor Royal BID is the UK’s largest “industrial” (Business Park) BID. It was first created in 2013 when things weren’t looking so great for Crawley’s key employment area.

Steve Sawyer, Executive Director, Manor Royal BIDSteve Sawyer, Executive Director, Manor Royal BID
Steve Sawyer, Executive Director, Manor Royal BID

“Pre-BID Manor Royal was 40% empty and only 13% of businesses said they were satisfied with the place.”. Said Steve, who has been Executive Director since the BID started, “Today occupancy is at 85%, the satisfaction levels vary between 85-90% and investment interest remains strong.”

The difference the Manor Royal BID has made is noticeable. Improvements include better branding and signage, new and additional services (including dedicated security, maintenance and winter gritting), infrastructure improvements (including new park areas, broadband improvements, road improvements, digital screens, and area-wide CCTV/ANPR systems) as well as other free and subsidised services like free events and publications, free jobs board, discounted training and subsidised public transport for all.

Steve also highlights the enhanced profile and strategic role businesses of Manor Royal now have. “Before the BID, some would say Manor Royal was taken for granted and largely neglected. It was a big problem that meant the single biggest business area of Crawley and West Sussex was being constantly overlooked when it came to much needed investment and improvements.”