The BIDS, responsible for placemaking and driving growth in the Colmore and Southside areas of the city, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – a statement of commitment that outlines shared intentions, goals and greater co-operation between the parties.
The MoU was signed at the inaugural Birmingham Colmore Summit, where more than 100 cultural, commercial and civic leaders gathered at The Exchange to witness Birmingham Colmore’s refreshed brand and strategic direction, while exploring new approaches for shaping the next chapter of the city’s future.
Colmore BID will be known as Birmingham Colmore with a fresh identity to promote the cultural, commercial and civic heart of Birmingham.
It said the move follows an intensive strategic review which recognised the need to move beyond boundaries and re-shape the partnerships required to drive footfall, support economic growth and enhance quality of life.
The two BIDS believe the partnership will “level the playing field” between Birmingham and its regional competitors.
Michele Wilby, chief executive officer of Birmingham Colmore, said: “Today marks a long overdue turning point for Birmingham city centre.
“By committing to this partnership, we are taking the first meaningful step towards levelling the playing field between Birmingham and our regional competitors.
“The partnership will give us greater efficiency, deeper collaboration, and most importantly, a unified voice that can’t be ignored by Government. This is about creating a stronger, better-connected, more ambitious city centre, together.”
Under the agreement, Birmingham Colmore and Southside District will move toward operating a Joint BID Executive (JBE), a single executive team responsible for delivering services across participating BIDs while allowing each individual district to retain its identity, autonomy and decision-making power through its own operating boards.
This approach mirrors successful models in Liverpool and Bristol, which have strengthened their ability to deliver large-scale city centre projects, drive efficiencies, and present a compelling, united voice to local authorities and public service partners.
Dr Steve Ball, chair of Southside District Board, added: “This agreement is about building a better future for all of Birmingham city centre. Southside District, the cultural heart of Birmingham, is proud to be part of this milestone moment.
By preserving our local identity while sharing a unified executive team, we can deliver more for our businesses, our residents and our visitors. It’s an efficient, modern, and genuinely collaborative step forward for our city.”
Levy income will be controlled by each individual BID, ensuring that hyper-local priorities and district identities remain both fully protected and celebrated.
Crucially, the new arrangement will unlock the ability to plan, manage and deliver major city-wide projects that benefit the whole of Birmingham city centre.
The city already benefits from a City Curator who works on behalf of the five city centre BIDs, funded by Birmingham Colmore.
