Truro Business Improvement District (BID)

Truro Business Improvement District is a not-for-profit organisation delivering a range of additional services and initiatives designed to raise the profile of the city, attract more visitors, and encourage them to explore all its facilities.

Supported by government legislation, a BID gives businesses the power to raise funds locally to be spent locally on improving a defined commercial area.

A BID is created when most of the business ratepayers within that area vote to invest collectively in local improvements, as outlined in a business plan. The BID is independent from local authorities and other statutory agencies and delivers projects over and above the baseline service provided by them.

Truro BID first became operational in October 2007 and is currently in its fourth, five-year term, which started in October 2022.

As of March 2026, Truro BID had 355 businesses included in the scheme, which is estimated to generate around £1.5 million of additional funding for the city from the BID Levy over five years.

Truro BID aims to achieve extra funding to the Levy, which they also invest into the city. In the last financial year to March 2026, they achieved £67,500 of extra funding, mainly through grants (such as Government funding Hot Spot Security Patrols), plus via event sponsorship and renting out parking spaces.

During their fourth term, the Truro BID projects sit within three themes:

Events and Marketing

• Delivering and funding Truro’s Christmas Lights each year, including their maintenance, storage, installation and electricity costs.

• Organising and funding free events; Children’s Day, the Truro Classic Car Show and the Father Christmas Parade.

• Organising and funding Truro’s Christmas Lights Switch-on event (Festive Friday) for the four years it ran.

• Co-hosting the Boscawen Christmas Street Markets.

• Supporting the city’s Father Christmas Grotto experience for four years, originally initiated by Truro BID in 2021.

• Supporting outdoor markets such as the Truro Antiques and Collectables Market (ceased in 2023) and monthly BIG Truro Market.

• Delivering marketing campaigns to promote BID events and initiatives.

Safety, Security and Environment

• Funding 46 hours of Truro Rangers Security Patrols per week and part-funding (with Cornwall Council and Truro City Council) Truro’s Anti-Social Behaviour Officer.

• Improving the appearance of Truro via funding and installing colourful bunting, organising the City Clean Up event and part-funding with Truro City Council the annual summer hanging baskets delivered by the City Council’s Parks Team.

• Maintaining the city’s Wayfinding Signs (which includes branded maps and information points) to encourage footfall across Truro.

Business Support

• Representing local businesses on matters such as planning, transport, car parking and crime.

• Providing a daily operational support role to the city centre along with Truro City Council and Cornwall Council.

• Working collaboratively with Visit Truro and Truro City Council.

Truro BID Team Members

Alun was appointed as the BID Manager for Truro BID October 2016. Representing the businesses of Truro and reporting to the Board of Directors, he manages the delivery of the projects and initiatives within in Truro BID’s Business Plan to improve the city for businesses, residents and visitors. Prior to being at Truro BID, Alun gained over thirty years of retail experience, including ten years within Truro. He also volunteered with Devon and Cornwall Police for many years.

Lindsey started at Truro BID in June 2018 as the Marketing & Events Officer. She is responsible for Truro BID’s social media, b2b printed and e-newsletters, aimed at the business sector, including those working in the City Centre. In addition, Lindsey promotes Truro BID’s events and initiatives via media releases, marketing and social media. She also works with Visit Truro and other event organisers to promote Christmas in Truro.

Emily joined Truro BID in September 2025 as the Events and Administration Officer, so her role includes organising events, and the day-to-day office administration. Emily coordinates the loan of the Christmas reindeer lights to local businesses and organises the Street Food at the Boscawen Street Christmas Markets. She is also responsible for planning City Clean Up, the Truro Classic Car Show, and helping to organise Children’s Day.

The Truro BID office is based in Truro Library on Pydar Street, so the team are at the heart of the city centre and best placed to support businesses. To find out more about Truro BID, visit www.trurobid.co.uk, or call 01872 273999.