Supporting Independents

From speciality coffee to boutique retailers and salons, independent businesses are a vibrant part of life in Birmingham city centre

Independent businesses are key to the success of a city centre and add vibrancy to the environment. Birmingham is very fortunate to have over 140 independent retailers in the city centre.

The BID offers support to this sector through marketing and social media campaigns alongside assistance with Business Rates Relief and liaising with utility and highways works affecting the trading environment.

We helped businesses with applications for pavement café spaces as they emerged from lockdown. This support created a new, picturesque visitor environment across the city centre.

Cherry Reds, John Bright Street, and its new outdoor dining space

Central BID has developed various creative campaigns annually putting the focus on independent businesses and promoting the sector.

In 2019 we developed the ‘Love Your Independents’ campaign, the campaign included new branding which was displayed across the city centre, including window stickers in independent shops. Viral films were created highlighting the vast the huge independent offering we have in the city centre across all sectors. This was supported with a digital advertising campaign to drive footfall to the stores.

In previous years we have created outdoor exhibitions, advertising campaigns, independent events and also Found Guide.

The Found guide was produced in 2016 which featured over 100 independent businesses including restaurants, cafés, bars and hairdressers, captured through beautiful illustrations and stunning photography by local artists and creatives.