About us

Are you fed up with declining trade in the town and the lack of council and BID support? If so, this is your opportunity to help tackle these problems by joining this group. You will be represented and have a voice that will be heard. 

It is free to join and we already have over 70 businesses supporting us.

Following recent meetings held by local businesses to discuss their mutual concerns, it was agreed to formalise a new group that will be run by businesses for businesses. It was unanimously agreed that Stratford BID has consistently failed to represent its membership and failed to give value for money. The compulsory BID levy delivers nothing for many members in specific sectors who see it only as unwanted additional taxation. 

Due to its structure, the board of the Stratford BID is heavily governed by Directors from the local Councils and heritage sites whose interests diverge from those of the Independent and corporate-led profit-reliant businesses within the town. https://stratforduponavonbid.co.uk/the-board/ 

This is not the case in other towns where the BID actively supports businesses, and where their Board primarily consists of Business owners/managers. See Shrewsbury BID as an example https://shrewsburybid.co.uk/board/ 

The first two objectives have been agreed to help improve the town for the benefit of everyone: 

1. To protect and enhance the Town Centre's cultural, heritage and amenity assets. 

We are the most visited town in the UK, yet we are in decline as our critical assets are degraded and diminished through a lack of competence, care and understanding by the key people tasked with protecting them. We want to reverse this permanently as it negatively affects every business and resident. 

2. To enhance the visitor experience for locals.

They are local taxpayers like us and represent the very lifeblood of our businesses and the local economy. We recognise this town is not just about tourists and day visitors. First, we must represent the views and needs of residents and businesses within the context of our town centre economy. If locals are happy to frequent the town centre regularly, visitors and tourists will also be delighted with our offer. 

We will seek action on ways to achieve our objectives. These include holding the Local Authority to account; Parking; Markets; Transport; Policing; Infrastructure; Press and social media. 

Email: info@businessactiongroups.com 

Please join our WhatsApp group – Business Action Groups 

www.businessactiongroups.com