Joining Sunderland BID offers businesses across various industries a wealth of opportunities, from networking and training to influencing the future of the city.
The BID’s new affiliate scheme allows even those outside the traditional geographic area to benefit, with many companies already recognising its value and signing up.
What does a training organisation, an accountancy company, marketing and PR firms, energy solutions providers and property developers all have in common? At first glance it might seem like nothing at all, coming from different industries, with different customers and offering different products and services.
But look more closely and you can find out exactly what groups them – and more besides – together, the foresight to sign up to be part of a Sunderland-based initiative that is bringing them countless value.
Sunderland BID continues to make a positive impact across the city, providing levy payers with advice and support, a full events programme which helps drive footfall – and so boosts the local economy – and much more besides.
The benefits that come from being under the BID umbrella are many and – until recently – mainly available to those who fall into the geographical area of their remit.
It is because so many organisations and individuals outside of this area understand the value the BID brings that it launched its affiliate scheme – allowing those who aren’t levy payers to still enjoy the many opportunities available.
From networking opportunities to volunteering for staff, from training and being able to express an opinion on the future of Sunderland in a meaningful way, all of this and more is what being part of the affiliate scheme is all about.
Currently 21 companies have recognised the value and signed up to take part and the hope by the BID is that more organisations will also see the advantages of becoming part of the BID family.
The cost has been set so it’s affordable for even the smallest of businesses, making it really good value for everyone.
The current list includes an eclectic mix – from print company WTTB, one of the most recent to join – to Sunderland BIC, DC Services, Sunderland Business Partnership and Bradley Hall.
SSE Energy Solutions, property developers, Kirtley Co, Lofthouse and Partners, Certax Accounting, Building Design North and MMC Research and Marketing are now BID affiliates.
And they’re not the only ones. New Results, Hanro, The Stables, Stephen Hope Financial Services, The Social Type, The Works, Sorted PR, Creo Communications and even restaurant Pablo Eggs Go Bao have also now signed on the dotted line.
For Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland BID, to see the amount of organisations that recognise the value of the BID is gratifying.
And she hopes their commitment will encourage others to also get involved.
“This is such an exciting time for Sunderland with so much investment and so much to look forward to,” she said.
“As a BID, it is so important for us to keep moving forward and to have the ability to support all businesses, not just those who are levy payers.
“Becoming an affiliate member brings with it so many benefits and I’m delighted so many companies have already recognised this and hopefully we will be able to encourage even more of them to sign up.”
For more information, contact [email protected] or call 0191 722 1002
