About

What is a BID

Business Improvement Districts are business-led partnerships which are created through a ballot process to deliver additional services to local businesses.

They can be a powerful tool for directly involving local businesses in local activities and allow the business community and local authorities to work together to improve the local trading environment.

A Business Improvement District is a defined area in which a levy is charged on all business rate payers in addition to the business rates bill. This levy is used to develop projects which will benefit businesses in the local area. There is no limit on what projects or services can be provided through a Business Improvement District. The only requirement is that it should be something that is in addition to services provided by local authorities. Improvements may include, but are not limited to, extra safety/security, cleansing, marketing and promotion, and environmental measures.

The Bishop’s Stortford BID Area

List of streets included within the BID area:

South Street (part of)
North Street
Potter Street
Church Street
Market Square
Bridge Street
High Street
Adderley Road
Station Road
Dane Street
Anchor Street
Palmers Lane
Jackson Square
Devoils Lane
The Dells
Riverside Walk
Northgate End
The Causeway
Water Lane
Florence Walk
Hadham Road (part of)
Apton Road (part of)

Meet the BID Team

Madeleine Lees
Joint BID Manager

Madeleine moved to the area in 2003, like many recognising it’s a great place to raise a family. She brings 25 years of marketing experience to the BID. After a decade in London advertising and design agencies, she moved into marketing consultancy, assisting small businesses with launch, growth and communication strategies. She joined the BID in February 2023 to look after marketing & communications and was appointed Joint BID Manager in April 2024.

Karen Burton
Joint BID Manager

Previously the Proprietor of Karen’s Cakes, trading in the town centre for 20 years, Karen knows how important a supportive business community is to be successful. A healthy working relationship with fellow traders and key stakeholders can only benefit a town and that’s what a BID should deliver. Karen was Chair since the BID’s inception in 2019 until 2024 and is now delighted to bring all her experience to the role of Joint BID Manager.

Michael Smith
BID Chair

Centre Manager, Jackson Square Shopping Centre

A successful BID can bring significant added value for both the businesses and wider community in which it operates. Representing not only the Shopping Centre as a whole, but also the individual retailers that sit within the scheme, Michael feels it is an essential part of his role that he does all he can to support the BID in achieving the business plan objectives.

Gary Smith
BID Director

Partner, Nockold’s Solicitors

Gary joined Nockolds in 2007 and is a Partner in the Employment Law Team here in Bishop’s Stortford. Nockolds are an award-winning legal services and independent financial advice firm with offices in Market Square, as well as London and Estepona Spain. Gary is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the Hertfordshire Law Society Council and is also a governor at Furneux Pelham primary school.

Glenn Armon-Jones
BID Director

Managing Partner, Barrow LLP Chartered Accountants

Barrow LLP are known as reliable, approachable, and proactive accountants who work alongside businesses to help them succeed. Today’s business environment is fast moving, complex, and highly competitive and Glenn brings all of this knowledge and experience to his role as BID Director.

Richard Taylor
BID Board Member

Managing Director, Simpsons Creative

Having worked for Simpsons Creative first as a freelance artist, then as a creative, in account management and now as MD, Richard is knows all about delivering a full range of cost effective marketing services including strategic planning, brand development, advertising, design, public relations and new media. He brings this experience to the BID Board and has helped create and develop the Discover Stortford brand.

Perry Colman
BID Board Member

Proprietor, Hair by Elements and Urban Spa

Perry, together with his wife Jackie, are the owners of The Skin Clinic at Urban Spa and Hair by Elements in Bishop’s Stortford. They have been in business for over 40 years; 20 years of these in Bishop’s Stortford. Perry brings to the BID a huge amount of knowledge and experience in running successful businesses.

Richard Townsend
BID Board Member

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Sinead Corr
BID Board Member

News Editor, Bishop’s Stortford Independent, part of the Iliffe Media Group

Sinead was born and brought up in Bishop’s Stortford and has worked in the town centre for most of her career. Over this time she has seen decades of change and the pressures and opportunities new development brings. Sinead got involved with the BID because she believes the best chance of creating a prosperous long-term future is for the traders to work together.

Calvin Horner
BID Board Member

East Herts District Council

Calvin joined us in 2023 as the East Herts District Council representative on the BID board. He is also a Town and County Councillor and local resident.

John-Luigi Petrucci
BID Board Member

Founder/Director of Petrucci’s Artisan Stonebaked Pizza

John has run Petrucci’s for 8 years and is the longest standing food vendor within Eat 17. He weathered the storm throughout lockdown and his business has thrived by keeping consistent standards and providing the highest quality in a very much hands on approach to business.

John has a good understanding of the hospitality industry and understands the challenges and struggles faced by small, independent businesses. He looks forward to imparting some of his experience and knowledge in support of others in the town centre.

Sara Farnsworth
BID Board Member

Waitrose Manager

Sara has been the Waitrose Branch Manager in the town for 25 years and brings a wealth of experience of the FMCG sector. Sara is a qualified leadership coach and a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the CMI.

Waitrose prides itself on supporting the communities within which it trades and feels privileged to be part of the BID board and to serve Bishop’s Stortford.

She believes a successful and vibrant Business Improvement District provides an exceptional opportunity for businesses to work together. Our BID helps ensure the very best future for our town, enabling growth, relevance and strength through collaboration.

Daniel Galati
BID Board Member

Managing Director, Mullucks

Born and bred locally, Daniel joined Mullucks in October 2006 as an Associate Director. He became a full equity director in 2007 and as of 2023 became the sole shareholder and director. Prior to this, Daniel ran a successful company in Bishop’s Stortford and Great Dunmow. He has 35 years local agency experience specialising in Land and New Homes. He is passionate about all property and has a day to day involvement in all departments at Mullucks.

Daniel holds a famous charity lunch every year raising money for local and national charities and projects which have raised upwards of 60,000. He acknowledges the concerns and challenges in the town and hopes that sitting on the BID Board Member will enable him to have a positive effect on the heart of our town.

Mark Price
BID Board Member

Director/Franchisee of MR Barbers

Mark has worked in the town for the past 17 years. In recent years, he has led MR Barbers on North Street to win numerous awards and accolades. Having grown up in the local area, Mark is passionate about seeing Bishop’s Stortford’s business community thrive.

He joins the BID with an interest in improving the town’s infrastructure and helping support small businesses. He is particularly interested in the proposed plans for North Street and is part of the steering group working with Hertfordshire County Council/Highways and other businesses and town centre stakeholders, to address concerns around footfall and revitalise this historic part of town.

What is a BID

The Bishop’s Stortford BID Area

Meet the BID Team

For All Things