Some may see heritage preservation as a challenge, but in Bath, UK, it’s an opportunity. With fewer than 90,000 residents drawing 6 million visitors a year, the results speak for themselves.
In this episode, Allison Herbert, CEO of the Bath Business Improvement District (BID), shares how one of the UK’s most historic cities manages the balance between charm and commerce while delivering tangible economic development outcomes for local businesses.
From Bridgerton fans and Jane Austen festivals to seagulls and public toilets, she walks us through the surprisingly practical side of managing a globally recognized, locally loved district.
Key Takeaways:
- How the BID’s voluntary, opt-in model delivers greater value back to its community members
- How they respond within minutes to concerns with hands-on, hyper-local solutions like cleaning crews and security teams that local businesses can count on
- Why collaboration between neighboring cities isn’t just smart, it’s essential
- How the BID leverages clever strategies to handle tourism pressure, homelessness, and even protected seagulls
Resources Mentioned:
About the Guest:
Allison Herbert is the CEO of the Bath Business Improvement District (BID). She brings extensive experience across both the public and private sectors, with a background in events, economic development, and project management. Allison leads a 10-person team delivering services that support more than 650 businesses in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, UK. You can connect with Allison on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allisonherbert
The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.
Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.
Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.