Creating an attractive, clean and welcoming town is a key priority for St Ives BID and forms one of the four main themes within our BID 3 Business Plan for 2024–2029.
During consultation for the plan, businesses ranked Town Appearance and Facilities as an important BID theme. The projects within it are designed to enhance the town throughout the year and help ensure St Ives remains an appealing place to live, work and visit.
Our work includes:
- Floral displays, planting and landscaping
- Summer bunting, flags and street decorations
- Winter and Christmas lighting
- Creative improvements and public art
- Additional street and beach cleaning
- Recycling and waste initiatives
- Cleaning and maintaining town-centre signage
- Supporting greener and more sustainable improvements
Where possible, we work with St Ives Town Council and other partners to combine resources and increase the impact of BID investment. The town’s seasonal floral displays and planting are delivered in partnership with St Ives Town Council, while St Ives BID funds projects including summer bunting and street decorations.
Creative Improvements Around St Ives
As part of our ongoing work to enhance the appearance of St Ives, we are also looking at creative ways to improve everyday features within the town.
During summer 2026, St Ives BID worked with local artist Sharon McSwiney to transform two electrical boxes near Tate St Ives, turning functional street furniture into colourful pieces of public art.
The project is a simple but effective example of how creativity can be used to brighten public spaces, celebrate the character of St Ives and make the town even more attractive for businesses, residents and visitors.
We will continue to explore opportunities for similar improvements as part of our Town Appearance & Facilities programme.
The BID also delivers the town’s winter lighting programme, including lighting installations across the town and harbour and the Christmas tree in Royal Square.
Displays and installations are inspected throughout each season, with maintenance arranged where required. We continue to review the programme and explore new ideas that will improve the appearance of the town, support visitor wayfinding and create a positive environment for businesses, residents and visitors.
You can read more about our commitments in the St Ives BID 3 Business Plan 2024–2029
