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 K

ent (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.

19/06/2026

BID CEO Lisa Carlson was very pleased to attend the Courageous Communities: Sanctuary & Racial Justice Conference at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge this morning.

The event was organised by The Social Justice Network in collaboration with Canterbury Cathedral and the Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) as part of a programme of events in Refugee Week 2026.

Find out more about the annual Refugee Week festival and the project's work at refugeeweek.org.

18/06/2026

🤝 We were delighted to welcome so many representatives from the city's business, heritage, council, police and charitable organisations last night at our Canterbury BID AGM.

💬 It was an evening of insights, reflections, connections and exciting future plans. Our thanks to everyone involved, including our fantastic Board of Directors and the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge for their flawless hospitality.

📄 Read our Business Plan 2024-2029 in full at: www.canterburybid.co.uk/business-plan-2024

📸 Yanko Georgiev

17/06/2026

💎 The University of Kent’s Diamond Weekend launches this Friday to celebrate their landmark 60th anniversary. Whether you're a student, alumnus, staff member or local resident, they'd love to see you there! 🎉

💙 They're opening up their campus for 'We Are Kent': three days of celebrations including live performances, art and culture, food and drink, opportunities to explore their Schools and research and a special Alumni Homecoming bringing generations of Kent graduates back together.

Explore the full programme at www.kent.ac.uk/Kentat60/we-are-kent

16/06/2026

🎉 Congratulations to The Salvation Army in Canterbury for 140 years of service! This incredible achievement reflects the corps' dedication, compassion, and vital support for the local community.

😊 Canterbury BID CEO Lisa Carlson and Operations Manager Jamie Bentley were very pleased to go along to their 'Meet The Neighbours' event on Saturday 6 June, and delighted to learn of their new building project, which will help ensure their important work continues to thrive in a modern, welcoming space for years to come.

Read more at: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/news/canterbury-salvation-army-celebrates-140-years-service-city

15/06/2026

🎬 Unique city event alert! Filming will be taking place in Canterbury city centre this week, on Friday 19 June, for a television production titled 'Let's Play Ball', produced by Initial TV.

🔴 This will involve a large inflatable ball being moved through sections of the city centre by contributors, accompanied by a small filming crew and traffic management team.

📋 The production will be operating under permissions granted in liaison with the Kent Film Office.

🔗 For more information head to: canterburybid.co.uk/event/filming-notice-lets-play-ball.

13/06/2026

Kent County Council is proposing the following road changes:

- Station Road West – relocate the existing zebra crossing from near Pavilion Court to a new position closer to the junction with St Dunstan’s Street.

- St Dunstan’s Street – remove the buff-coloured surfacing at the junction to make the white mini-roundabout more visible, improving awareness and road safety.

💬 They are carrying out a consultation to hear views on these proposals, closing Thursday 25 June 2026.

Visit letstalk.kent.gov.uk/station_road_west_crossing for full details.

11/06/2026

🌤️ Summer IS coming back, the weather forecasts have promised! This coming weekend and week look set to be gorgeous blue and sunny skies, unlike the past few (dramatically) soggy days ☔️

😎 In anticipation of this welcome meteorological development, Reece from the Canterbury BID Street Team has been out and about replenishing stocks of our fabulous Summer Guide - including here, at Canterbury’s iconic Siesta Crafts on Sun St.

😊 The guides are free for your customers to take - they’re designed to help locals and visitors make the most of the summer months in our beautiful city. They have in-depth info on all the major city events coming up, along with an extensive ‘what’s on’, central map and practical info including travel and parking.

➡️ We have a limited amount of guides still in stock for the summer months, so if you’d like us to bring some to your business for your staff and customers drop us an email at [email protected]

10/06/2026

On Tuesday 2 June, Canterbury BID CEO Lisa Carlson attended a Hospitality Roundtable at Westminster, hosted by Rosie Duffield MP, bringing together MPs, trade bodies, and hospitality businesses from across the UK.

The discussion focused on the newly launched 'VAT’s the Problem' petition, calling for a reduction in VAT for hospitality to 10%, which has already gained over 113,000 signatures since 1 June.

Sign the petition here: www.vatstheproblem.co.uk

Canterbury BID is also supporting the Real Business Rates Reform campaign, which aims to benefit multiple sectors.

Find out more here: holba.london/projects-campaigns/business-rates-campaign

📸 Rosie Duffield MP

08/06/2026

🤕 We’re pleased to offer Emergency First Aid at Work training to Canterbury BID businesses, designed to provide practical, hands-on skills to help you respond confidently in emergency situations.

👩🏽‍🏫 The training is delivered by OnnPoint Training and Consultancy Services LTD in the city centre - spaces are very limited and there is maximum of 1 place per business, so be sure to secure your place soon if you’re interested.

📅 Mon 22 Jun
⏰ 9am-4pm
📍 Clocktower, Whitefriars

🔗 For a full breakdown of the course topics and booking form visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/canterbury-bid-emergency-first-aid-at-work-training-tickets-1990078882509

07/06/2026

🌈🎉 Congratulations to all involved in this year’s Pride Canterbury! It was a glorious celebration of LGBTQIA+ identity, inclusivity and progress. 🫶

Canterbury BID was delighted to be part of the parade and the rain only made us blow our whistles harder! 🥳

🤩 It was wonderful to see so many people lining the streets along St Peter’s St, High St and Rose Lane and joining in the festivities in Dane John Gardens and Whitefriars, Canterbury.

✨🌯💃🏽 The atmosphere, the entertainment, the food and drink - it all made the event a brilliant, positive day, especially when the sun joined the party! ☀️

🗓️ Next year’s date has already been confirmed so mark Saturday 12 June 2027 in your diaries!

Address

Canterbury
CT12UA

Website

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

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