Read our 2024/25 Annual Report
Over the past year, Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) has continued to focus on delivering visible impact for our city centre businesses, while strengthening Norwich’s long-term position as a place to visit, work, and invest.
At a time when many city centres are facing sustained economic pressure, our priority has been to support opportunity, resilience, and sustainable growth. Working closely with businesses and partners across a range of sectors, we have concentrated on projects that encourage footfall, improve safety, promote the city nationally, and help Norwich adapt confidently to change.
Raising Norwich’s profile remains central to our work. Through VisitNorwich, we have delivered integrated marketing and PR activity that continues to reach a huge audience, driving awareness and tourist visits throughout the year. Strong performance across digital channels, combined with extensive national media coverage, has helped position Norwich as a compelling destination with a distinctive cultural offer and a vibrant business community.
Alongside promotion, we have invested in creating experiences that animate the city centre and support our businesses. Flagship events including Norwich Wine Week, Norwich Cocktail Week and Norwich Summer Sessions brought more than 20,000 people into the city at key points across the year, complemented by festive lighting that adds energy, activity, and a sense of occasion.
Together, this programme is designed not only to attract visitors, but to encourage repeat visits, support trading, and showcase the diversity and creativity the city centre has to offer.
Keeping Norwich safe and welcoming continues to be a key priority. Our ALERT business crime scheme saw a 135% year on year increase in business logins, supporting both the daytime and nighttime economies by enabling real-time information sharing. Achieving National Standards accreditation in 2025 reflects the strength of the campaign and the collective commitment to addressing crime and antisocial behaviour in the city centre.
We have also continued to invest in longer-term initiatives that will shape Norwich’s future. The Norwich Solar System has progressed well, with ever-growing engagement from businesses. This project demonstrates how collective action can deliver tangible benefits, supporting sustainability goals while helping businesses access lower-cost, locally generated energy.
Our Work in Norwich (WiN) initiative has also continued to grow, promoting the city as a place of opportunity for both employers and talent. Our January 2025 campaign reached an estimated 2.4 million people, supporting business recruitment while strengthening Norwich’s wider economic proposition.
In parallel, our City Centre Manifesto ensures that business voices are clearly represented during a critical period of discussion around devolution and local governance.
None of this work would be possible without the continued support and engagement of our levy payers. Your contribution enables us to act at scale, respond to challenges, and deliver initiatives that benefit the city as a whole.
As we look ahead, our focus remains on delivering value and ensuring Norwich city centre continues to thrive. Thank you for your trust and collaboration.