Read Our 2024 Annual Report
Over the past year, Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) continued to deliver projects that truly make the city thrive for our businesses, residents, and workers. We championed local priorities with the creation of the City Centre Manifesto, advanced sustainable energy with the Norwich Solar System, and hosted events that attracted thousands of visitors. We enhanced Norwich’s reputation through extensive marketing and PR, prioritised safety with the inaugural Norwich Business Crime Conference, and promoted business growth through our award-winning Work in Norwich (WiN) campaign. With these initiatives and more, we remain committed to making Norwich an ever-better place to live, work, and visit.
In 2024, we collaborated with local organisations and industry leaders to create a City Centre Manifesto that embodies the long-term ambitions businesses want to see. Launched at our 2024 City Conversations Conference, the manifesto reflects the BID’s mission to unite, collaborate, and collectively drive Norwich forward.
We also continued project development and business engagement for the Norwich Solar System, which will see solar panels installed on the rooftops of city businesses to deliver sustainable green energy at an affordable cost. With more than 50 buildings already put forward as potential sites, and the first installations planned to happen in 2025, once built the Solar System could make ours the UK’s largest solar city.
Throughout the summer, Norwich flourished with dynamic events that united the community and celebrated local culture. Norwich Wine Week brought people together with an exciting showcase of wine-tasting experiences, while Norwich Summer Sessions filled the city centre with free music and entertainment, with the two events attracting more than 10,000 visitors.
2024 also marked another hugely effective year of marketing and PR for VisitNorwich, as we showcased the city’s charm and vibrant business community. Our efforts generated more than 145 pieces of positive coverage across major publications including The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian and Time Out, shining a spotlight on Norwich’s businesses and our iconic attractions.
Understandably, keeping Norwich’s streets, retail and public spaces safe remains a top priority. In March 2024, we were proud to host the first Norwich Business Crime Conference. Featuring an impressive line-up of expert speakers, the event provided an opportunity for local business owners and employees to learn effective strategies to protect their staff, customers, and assets through our ALERT business crime reduction scheme.
In parallel, our Work in Norwich brand continued to focus on attracting the best employers and employees to relocate to the city. Through showcasing the city’s competitive opportunities and high quality of living, the campaign promotes Norwich as an ideal place to live, work, and innovate.
Thank you once again for your trust and support in helping us bring so many BID initiatives to life over this past year.