About St Ives BID
If your business is located within the boundary, then you are automatically included in the BID.
Welcome to St Ives BID
Sarah Hooper St Ives BID Manager
Sarah Hooper
Sarah joined BID in September 2022 and has a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and over 20 years experience in Business Management across the retail, hospitality and education sectors. She brings a wealth of business experience and specialises in HR, recruitment and employment law as well as finance and communications. In her most recent role, Sarah has worked in partnership with key agencies such as the Police, Cornwall Council, Department of Education, NHS, transport operators and Multi Agency Trusts.
Alex Ward
Chair of St Ives BID, Alex Ward, who took up the position at the start of BID2, owns a picture framing business called Mirror Image with her husband and has lived in St Ives for more than 20 years.
Alex Ward, Chair, and Helen Tripconey, former manager of St. Ives BID.
Catherine Cooper St Ives BID
Catherine Cooper
Catherine Cooper joined the BID team in April 2024, bringing over 25 years of senior-level experience in sales and marketing.
Before moving to Cornwall, Catherine held senior roles at Bosch UK as Head of Marketing and at Dyson in Trade Marketing, working closely with major retailers like Currys, John Lewis, and Argos. Her work has spanned everything from national TV campaigns to engaging in-store displays.
Now focused on supporting the local business community, she brings strategic insight and creativity to every project.
FAQ's
Isn’t this what I pay my Business rates for?
No, a Business Improvement District (BID) scheme is a business-led initiative supported by government legislation which gives local businesses the power to ‘raise funds locally to be spent locally’ on improving their trading environment. We are a not-for-profit company and not Local Authority.
The process of developing a BID involves extensive consultation with businesses to establish what improvements they want and prepared to pay for – this consultation formulates a 5 year business plan which is then voted for by BID Levy payers who decide if the BID should continue.
How do I speak to someone from the BID Team?
BID operates and open door policy and we welcome all of our members to visit our office on the top floor of the Salvation Army on Wharf Road. Alternatively, we have a landline and mobile as well as our main email address info@stivesbid.co.uk
Who pays for St Ives BID?
St Ives BID is funded by its members (Levy Payers). An annual levy is collected from each BID business, which is collected by Cornwall Council and is 2% of the rateable value of those business premises. The levy is then invested in projects outlined in our Business Plan, which is formulated by the businesses of St Ives during the consultation process for each term. All projects are aimed at improving and benefiting St Ives. St Ives BID also raises additional funds through grant funding programmes and working with key partners.
How does my business benefit from St Ives BID?
St Ives BID works to maintain and improve St Ives as a destination and BID businesses benefit from the collective result. The BID works across 4 keys themes which comprise of (1) Town Appearance and Facilities (2) Marketing and Events (3) Safer St Ives (4) Supporting your Business. If you are a BID member and would like to know more about projects or services, please contact us and we would be more than happy to discuss the benefits.