Back in 2017, North Notts BID made history as the UK’s first ever area-wide Business Improvement District, and we were there to cover it in the very first edition of Made. Since then, the BID has grown and evolved in incredible ways, supporting over 1,200 businesses across Bassetlaw and bringing the community together through a huge range of events and initiatives.
As we look back to the very first news feature that introduced readers to North Notts BID in our debut issue, it feels fitting that—now celebrating our 50th edition—we catch up with Sally Gillborn MBE and the team to see just how far they’ve come. And what a journey it’s been!
North Notts BID launched in 2017 as the UK’s first ever area-wide Business Improvement District. What inspired you to take on that challenge?
During my time as North Notts Place Manager, I started to look at the BID model. The place shaping work was established, businesses were engaging and, through the work of the Place Board and North Notts Envoys we were starting to make a difference in the area. But to really take things to the next level we needed to do more.
I remember feeling passionately about the potential that Bassetlaw had, and the appetite from local businesses for meaningful change. We were greatly inspired by the energy of our businesses and the chance to try something different – to create an area-wide BID rather than one single town centre.
We felt that by covering the whole district of Bassetlaw, we could bring together the diversity of rural, industrial, town-centre and hospitality businesses in one unified body that can collectively do more.
What were some of the biggest challenges you and the team faced in those first few years, and how did you overcome them?
Creating a BID of this scale has certainly been interesting. Setting up a brand-new organisation, finding office space, recruiting staff whilst trying to hit the ground running by introducing the right projects and services to support BID members representing a variety of sectors and locations in Bassetlaw was a challenge for myself and the BID Board.
Another one of the biggest challenges we faced has been simply the size and geography of an area covering 246sq miles, the UK's largest BID by area. We need to ensure that our projects, services and BID member benefits have something that can be accessed by all types of business, including those in the town centres, industrial estates or rural areas.
Over the years, the BID has introduced so many fantastic initiatives — Which projects or events have made you most proud?
Our flagship events such as North Notts Food Fest and Party in the Square have been hugely rewarding. The events are a brilliant way to bring the local community together while also attracting more visitors - all of which helps to showcase our area, increase footfall and spend locally whilst enjoying a fun, family day out. This in turn helps to boost our local economy, which is a huge priority for us as a business improvement district.
- Our business-crime reduction work is also something I’m very proud of. Examples of projects delivered across the district as part of the Business Crime Reduction Partnership include:
- The installation of CCTV with ANPR and SmartWater asset marking solution in our industrial area.
- Launching the digital radio scheme and DISC crime reporting app in our towns.
- We have also installed over 30 life-saving defibrillators on our industrial estates. With such a high volume of traffic and employees on these estates, they have already proven their worth by saving lives.
However, the stand-out project for me has to be the WalkSafe app, which helps people to plan their route safely, identify safe spaces and the location of the BIDs Night Angels in real-time as well as alerting friends/family members if they are not home by a certain time.
Originally set up to protect women on a night out, we saw a huge opportunity to broaden this out. We ran campaigns with local schools and North Notts College to encourage students aged 13 plus to use the app morning, noon and night, and we have seen an incredible uptake. In fact, WalkSafe has been downloaded more times in North Notts than Manchester, which speaks volumes about the benefits in keeping our families safe and secure.
- With just under 1,400 business premises now part of the BID, how do you make sure all those different voices are heard and supported?
We’re very conscious of the diversity of our BID members and the fact that different sectors and localities have different priorities. To ensure voices are heard and supported, we connect with our businesses in various ways:
- Our business liaison officers regularly engage with BID members in person, by phone or email to understand their needs and feedback.
- Our board is business-led, with representation across sectors and geographies, which helps ensure governance is closely aligned with the businesses we serve.
- Our BID member benefits offer something for all, whether a manufacturer, a high-street retail business or rural enterprise, there are relevant support packages available, including help with maintenance, training, crime reduction, events and marketing support.
- We commit to clear communication: regular newsletters, networking meetings, BID member spotlights and listening to feedback so we know what’s working, what isn’t, and can adapt accordingly.
- Finally, we emphasise flexibility: we know that one size does not fit all, especially across a large and diverse geography such as ours, so we tailor where needed and welcome innovation or member-led ideas.
You received an MBE in 2023 for your services to business and the community — huge congratulations. How did that recognition feel, and what does it represent for you and the North Notts BID team?
Thank you. I was truly humbled and surprised. When I first saw the email, I thought it might be a scam! For me personally, it is such an honour to be recognised in this way, but I view it very much as recognition of the collective effort of the BID team, our board, our members, and the wider business community in North Notts. What it represents is a validation of our approach - that supporting businesses and community and place enhancement can work hand in hand. It shines a light on the value of a strong business-led BID in a district like ours.
The BID’s work seems to go beyond business support — it’s also about local pride and community spirit. How important has that been to your vision for North Nottinghamshire?
That has always been central to me. The BID is not just about business metrics but also about place-making, community, identity, pride and a sense that North Nottinghamshire is open for business, open for opportunity, and a place people want to live, work and visit.
By running our flagship events, maintaining the local area and forging effective partnerships. that reach into community and culture such as our eco-friendly art trails, we aim to build a positive narrative for the district. In my view, business success and community success go hand in hand. When people feel proud of where they are, they are more likely to invest locally, spend locally, tell others and support each other, which in turn supports business. So, community spirit, local identity and “place” dynamics are absolutely core to our vision.
You’ve built strong partnerships across so many sectors — from education and local authorities to organisations like STEP Fusion. How do collaborations like these help strengthen opportunities for local people and businesses?
Collaboration is at the heart of how we operate as a BID. While we may be the UK’s largest singular BID we actually operate with a very lean team, meaning that we can spend more on our projects, events and activities. This also means that effective partnerships are key.
A great example is the collaboration between the BID, Bassetlaw District Council and the UK Atomic Energy Authority in the delivery of the World’s first STEP Fusion Energy cafe situated at the Skills Hub in Worksop. This community café offers invaluable training opportunities while informing customers, visitors and events delegates of the amazing opportunities that will come on stream with the exciting developments with the STEP Fusion Power Plant at the former West Burton Energy site.
The BID also partnered with Bassetlaw District Council to form the Bassetlaw Business Alliance, bringing together our local businesses to keep abreast of the opportunities that are available within the district, attract new investment opportunities and to have a powerful voice for Bassetlaw with the likes of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
In short, collaboration amplifies what we can achieve. It enables us to deliver projects at scale, secure additional funding, increase visibility and deliver long-term benefit for our BID members.
And finally, as you look ahead to the next few years, what excites you most about the future of North Notts BID and the district as a whole? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you’re particularly passionate about?
Looking ahead, what excites me most is the opportunity for us to build on the strong foundations we’ve laid and to really step into a new phase of growth and recognition for the District.
Eight years after the BID launched, the BID is now recognised in the region as a strong voice for Bassetlaw. As well as being a lead partner for the Bassetlaw Business Alliance, we have a seat at the table on the Worksop Together Town Board and the Retford Town Board, giving us an opportunity to support with the design and delivery of new projects and initiatives delivered through Pride in Place funding.
I am keen to build on the strong relationships forged with EMCCA and other key partners to ensure that businesses within Bassetlaw have a say in future plans and a ‘bite of the cherry’ with any forthcoming funds and opportunities. We are, after all, a beast of a district - just under a third of the size of the whole of Nottinghamshire, so are a force to be reckoned with.
We have some amazing opportunities with the East Midlands Investment zone on the Laing O’Rourke site, and we have a very bright future as far as clean energy is concerned through our three former power stations - the STEP fusion plant at the West Burton, the hydrogen plant at High Marnham and the recently announced data centre for AI at Cottam. We need to ensure that as many of our businesses as possible capitalise on these developments by providing procurement opportunities for local providers and career opportunities for local people.
Finally, as we head towards our next BID ballot in 2027, we are keen to make sure businesses understand the value of the BID, are part of the journey and have a say in the next chapter. There is so much to look forward to, and I am very optimistic about what we can achieve together.
Find out more about North Notts BID on their website. Discover more on voluntary membership, BID member benefits, latest news, upcoming events and more by visiting: www.northnottsbid.co.uk
Image: Sally Gillborn MBE, Chief Executive. and George Buchanan, Chair.
