Canterbury BID

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Canterbury BID

Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent, business-led, not-for-profit organisation.

We promote Canterbury's business community and work to keep our city welcoming, clean, green and safe for all. Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District (BID) is an independent, business-led, not-for-profit initiative voted for by the businesses of Canterbury in July 2014 and again in July 2019 for another five-year term. Nationally, there are over 300 BIDs in the UK, including three in Kent (Canterbury was the first), investing over £130 million every year, giving business an independent voice and investing in business-led initiatives. to ensure continued investment in Canterbury City Centre. Our mission is to help make Canterbury a vibrant, exciting, well connected and successful business community; an attractive, clean, green, safe and enjoyable destination for customers and clients, shoppers and staff, residents, students and visitors; and a profitable place in which to do business.

31/10/2026

👣 Canterbury BID is very proud to support A Mile in My Shoes, part of the Canterbury Festival. The interactive installation just off the high street is open for its final day today, from 11am to 4pm.

Brought to the city by Empathy Museum, the project invites people to literally walk a mile in the shoes of a stranger.

Visitors are encouraged to put on a pair of shoes and listen to the stories of those who wore them. The tales are moving and inspiring, covering different aspects of life, from loss and grief to hope and love.

❤️ We are pleased to sponsor this event along with Canterbury City Council and headline sponsor University of Kent.

Last image: Stephen Garnett Photography

29/10/2026

🚸 The Friends of Kingsmead Field, St Stephen's Residents Association and Alister Brady have celebrated the installation of a new pedestrian crossing on the Kingsmead Road.

👍 The crossing now makes it easier to move between the different community facilities on either side of the busy Kingsmead Road - with the added benefit of making the streetscape much more pedestrian-friendly. Excellent work!

28/10/2026

🌙 We're proud of the diverse range of experiences Canterbury offers residents and visitors after dark.

🍽️ Dinner with friends
🎭 A night at the theatre
🍸 Drinks after work
🎶 Live entertainment
🏨 A city break stay
🎲 Games and chat
🎬 The latest blockbusters

💜 Together, our nighttime venues create a vibrant and welcoming city centre, helping Canterbury retain its Purple Flag status and showcasing the breadth of the city's evening and night-time offering.

📸
The Drapers Arms
Curzon Canterbury
The Cosy Club
Café des Amis
The Marlowe Theatre
Pegasus Tap Room
ABode Canterbury
The Long Rest Canterbury

26/10/2026

💖 The 2026 Lord Mayor's Awards recognise individuals who make a positive difference in the Canterbury district through voluntary, often unsung contributions.

🔊 Anyone can make a nomination, and nominees must live, work, study or volunteer within the district.

📅 Nominations close on 30 October, with winners to be honoured at an awards ceremony early next year.

Link in comments ⬇️

Lord Mayor of Canterbury

25/10/2026

👻 We are terrifically excited about the Halloween-themed audio trail on our phantastic Canterbury & Coast app - a first for Canterbury BID!

📲 Locals and visitors who download and register on the app can follow local author T.W. Burgess' Canterbury Ghost Stories Trail around six city centre stops.

📖 Between Saturday 17 and Saturday 31 October, those who complete all the stops can make their way to Waterstones in Rose Lane where one final tap reveals the secret phrase to claim a special limited edition ghost story prize.

🦇 Spread the word and have a go - it's easy, fun and a boo-rilliant way to explore the spooky side of the city 🎃

23/10/2026

💡 Kent County Council will be carrying out street lighting improvement works outside Nos. 5 and 49, The Parade on Thursday 29 October 2026.

👷‍♀️ The overnight works, taking place between 7pm and 5am, involve replacing street lighting columns and connecting new underground power cables.

🚗 Residents and businesses are asked to avoid parking on the road during the works to allow access for the crane and works vehicles.

22/10/2026

🏙️ A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this year's Canterbury City Watch Annual Conference at ABode Canterbury on Tuesday.

🤝 Bringing together retail, hospitality, the night-time economy and policing, the event highlighted the power of collaboration in helping to keep Canterbury a safe, welcoming and vibrant city for residents, workers and visitors.

🟪 That partnership approach sits at the heart of Canterbury's Purple Flag accreditation. Through the Canterbury BID City Watch programme and Street Team, Best Bar None and Zero Tolerance initiatives, we're working alongside Kent Police, Canterbury City Council and local businesses to support the safety and wellbeing of everyone who enjoys the city, day and night.

21/10/2026

🎄 Canterbury's festive season launches on Friday 13 November! Seven sparkling miles of Christmas lights will be illuminated across the city centre, transforming Canterbury into one of the South East's premier Christmas destinations. We're also delighted to be introducing a new switch-on location at Westgate Square this year.

✨ Canterbury Light Switch-On Event
📅 Friday 13 November
⏰ 5pm-8pm

🎶 Following last year's event, which welcomed over 31,000 visitors, this year's programme promises an evening of live music, festive performances, family activities, Christmas characters, snow machines, selfie spots and multiple countdown moments across the city. 🌨️

🌟 Switch-on schedule

6pm - Burgate (Victorian Christmas theme)
6.30pm - The Westgate Hall, Canterbury Twilight Artisan Market
7pm - Westgate Square (live music, pantomime and KMFM)
At 7pm, the lights along the High Street and across Canterbury's Christmas markets will be officially switched on, marking the start of the festive season.

☕ A special thank you to Costa Coffee, our headline sponsor, for supporting this much-loved city event. ✨🎄

⬇️ link in comments

19/10/2026

👗 Enjoy an evening of fashion, networking and festive inspiration at Kent X Fenwick Live at Fenwick on Wednesday 11 November, 6-8pm.

🪡 Hosted by Zaid Mahmood, the event will showcase the latest autumn/winter collections alongside designs from Kent Business School Aspire students, modelled by local talent.

🍸 Guests can enjoy a WILD BOX cocktail, nibbles and exclusive goodies while exploring Fenwick's festive displays.

🎟️ Tickets are £17.50, with proceeds supporting the University of Kent Belonging at Kent fund.

🔗 link in comments ⬇️

18/10/2026

🚏 Canterbury City Council is inviting residents and visitors to the district to take part in their travel choices survey. Your input will help them to build a picture of how people travel locally and inform future travel and transport planning.

📋 The survey takes a few minutes to complete and is open until 9am on Monday 26 October 2026.

❓ Why is this survey taking place?
In early 2026, the council published its draft Transport Strategy, alongside the Bus Action Plan, and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. They are now asking for more information about residents’ travel choices, to inform how these plans are implemented going forward.

They are keen to know:
🚶‍♀️‍➡️ how you travel around the district
📍 where you travel to and from
🚌 your experience of using buses in the district
🚲 your experience of cycling and walking in the district

Link to the survey in the comments ⬇️

Address

Canterbury
CT12UA

Website

https://www.canterburybid.co.uk/

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