Colmore Business District (Colmore BID) has launched a Call for Evidence as part of The Future Business District, a unique study to inform its response to long term recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and to offer policy directions on best practice for central business districts across the UK.
The Call is being announced as Birmingham City Council launches consultation on its ‘Our Future City Plan: Central Birmingham 2040, Shaping our City Together.’ Colmore BID will feed the results of its Study into the local authority plan which is set to replace the Big City Plan, the current blueprint for Central Birmingham to 2031.
Evidence is sought from anyone with relevant knowledge, expertise or experience – including business owners, leaders and managers of all sizes, professionals, investors, property developers, business support and economic development organisations, trade and professional bodies, policy analysts, academics, residents and civil society organisations.
The Call for Evidence highlights five broad questions:
- How have developments over the last twelve months (especially in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic) changed city centre business districts for the long term? How have businesses, professionals and other users responded in ways which will last beyond the restrictions of the pandemic?
- What other developments will change city centre business districts and the way you, your organisation or sector accesses and utilises them over the next 5-10 years?
- How do you expect things to change and why
- a) in the next 3 years?
b) in the next 5-10 years? - In what ways should city centre business districts be different in 2031 compared with 2021, and how should they relate to and interact with the rest of the city centre?
- How should those responsible for planning, investing in and developing, managing and using city centre business districts prepare for the future?
Respondents are asked to submit their evidence (as a Word or PDF document) to: info@futurebusinessdistrict.co.uk by Monday 1st March 2021.
Colmore BID director Mike Best, Senior Director at national planning consultancy Turley, who chairs the Study’s Steering Group, commented: “Working from home, social distancing and enforced closure of businesses along with the increase in online retailing and video communications have dramatically reduced footfall in city centres. Other societal trends and policy decisions were already affecting how or where we work, but COVID-19 is surpercharging many of the factors which impact on our decisions about the future.
“Our Call for Evidence as part of The Future Business District provides a timely opportunity for everyone – from young professionals and independent retailers to senior partners and property developers – to share their data and views on the medium to long term future of central business districts.
“I would urge anyone with an interest in how Colmore Business District or other CBD’s prepare to remain at the heart of business and commerce to respond to this Call.”
Colmore BID is curating the study in partnership with Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority. The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and neighbouring city centre BIDs – Westside, Retail, Jewellery Quarter and Southside – are also supporting the Study.
City-REDI at the University of Birmingham is leading the research alongside the Office of Data Analytics (ODA) at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Support also comes from UK Research and Innovation and the Centre for Cities think tank.
City-REDI and WMCA’s ODA are currently reviewing data and literature. Together with responses to the Call for Evidence, review findings will feed into a series of interviews and workshops during Spring 2021. It is expected the final report will be published in early Summer 2021.
The Study has been established to answer two key questions:
- What is the likely long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on city centre business districts?
- How can we ensure they remain successful as places to attract businesses and people and contribute to vibrant city centres?
A dedicated website for the Study will be launched shortly at www.futurebusinessdistrict.co.uk.
