Derby Cathedral Quarter Announced as UK BID of the Year

Derby Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), managed by Derby-based pfbb UK (Partnerships for Better Business Ltd), has clinched a prestigious national accolade in the ATCM (Association of Town and City Management) National Awards 2016.

The Cathedral Quarter was announced BID of the Year by the ATCM National Awards 2016 at a ceremony at Central Hall in Westminster yesterday (Tuesday 8th March) – beating other finalists Kingston-upon-Thames and Colmore Business District in Birmingham. The award was received on behalf of the Cathedral Quarter by pfbb UK Project Manager Ashley Lewis and Ian Ferguson, pfbb UK Director.  Pfbb UK, which develops and manages BIDs across the country, developed the Cathedral Quarter as a BID back in 2007, and has subsequently project managed the area. 

Over the past eight years the Cathedral Quarter has been established as a well-respected and thriving destination for retail, leisure and culture, and as the professional services’ central business district with brand values of ‘individual, diverse and inspiring’.  Martin Langsdale is Chair of the Cathedral Quarter Board and Management Group, which drives forward activities under the area’s BID status. He explained: “We are delighted that the work achieved by the Cathedral Quarter businesses and pfbb UK as project managers has been recognised with this prestigious award. “We are proud of everything the Cathedral Quarter has achieved, enabling this wonderful part of the city centre to thrive despite changing retail habits and the economic downturn. “The Cathedral Quarter continues to buck the national trend with footfall and vacancy levels better than the national average. The area continues to attract considerable inward investment with new developments and highly respected retailers moving into the area. “This and many other improvements to the area would not have been achieved without the considerable efforts of the businesses working together under the Cathedral Quarter business plan and pfbb UK’s effective project management”

Melanie Ferguson-Allen from pfbb UK, who applied for the awards on behalf of the Cathedral Quarter, continued: “The ATCM awards are an important national platform to raise the profile of the area to both visitors and inward investors alike.  “The Cathedral Quarter has built on its strengths to become a renowned destination in its own right. The area is synonymous with quality and diversity with a unique blend of independent and national businesses across a range of sectors situated within an attractive and historic area.”

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