East Midlands Academy

Academy opens doors to first delegates 

Of the 26 applications for the UK's first ever BIDs Academy, six towns and cities have been selected.

Nottingham, Derby, Hinckley, Sleaford, Daventry and Uppingham have been chosen as having the best potential to develop BIDs partnerships and to improve their areas in the East Midlands. They're a diverse mix of major cities and market towns, but all have shown the desire and potential to make a BID work for them.

The Academy programme is led by Jacquie Reilly from the ATCM, who developed the concept working in partnership with East Midlands Development Agency (emda). Louise Ashby who comes from a TCM background in the area has been recruited to provide the role of full-time BIDs coordinator.

Currently running for a year, the Academy offers teams of three from each location - made up of representatives from the public and private sector and a BID coordinator - the opportunity to take part in workshops, study tours and a support programme. It's hoped they will gain the necessary expertise to put their BID proposal to a vote.

Jacquie says: "We recognise that BIDs are a great opportunity but also a huge challenge. What this Academy provides is an excellent way for a number of locations to support each other and work together through the process. I'm delighted that emda has piloted this scheme and I hope the Academy will create a legacy that will encourage other regions to follow suit."