More than 100 people fought their way through problems on the London Underground Northern Line on July 9 to attend the International BIDs Conference at the Old Vic Theatre, organised by London Development Agency.
The global development of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) was one of the key topics on the agenda.
Canadian Business Improvement Areas speaker Mirko Lakoseljac said: 'People have come here to learn that the BID concept is a very adaptable form that can be used in any size of community that has the aim of improving its area and attracting new businesses. However, it's not a cookie-cutter solution to dealing with problems in each area.'
The conference was part of a series of events organised by Central London Partnership (CLP) under the umbrella of International BIDs Week. CLP drove The Circle Initiative, the first UK BID programme, which was funded by£4.6 million of Single Regeneration Budget from the London Development Agency.
CLP partnerships director Dr Julie Grail said: 'What we're doing in London BIDs is assisting in the learning about what is a very young model. We are listening to lots of good ideas and we have to put them into context for clean, safe and attractive streets.'
Massachusetts Institute of Technology research assistant Devika Gopal provided the academics' view. She said: 'The conference is about awareness of the momentum of BIDs. The more people who hear about it, the more who buy in.'
For more information, visit www.londonbids.info.
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