pfbb UK secured the first district wide BID in Colwyn Bay in Wales in 2015 starting BID operations in April 2016

In May 2014 pfbb UK were contracted to develop the Bay of Colwyn BID funded by the Welsh Government. This is a unique BID in that it covers over 2 square miles and includes four key settlements: Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, Mochdre and Rhos-on-Sea.

Colwyn Bay is a town, community and seaside resort in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales overlooking the Irish Sea. It has seen many years of economic decline, having previously been a primary holiday destination which has since lost out to neighbouring holiday resorts.

Mochdre is an industrial zone, inland and hidden away with a small community of its own. The BID has proved a vital way to bring the business community in these four areas together with a representative steering group tackling a host of challenges.

 Despite each town being quite distinct in terms of its geography and local economy businesses expressed a desire to support each other by providing a more substantial business and leisure offer to the local resident population and to visitors and business clients. Businesses recognised that this was an important opportunity to develop Bay of Colwyn’s identity and raise its profile for the benefit of all businesses.

pfbb UK worked with representatives from businesses which were involved in a number of networks and partner organisations across the area such as The Colwyn Bay Town Team, Bay of Colwyn Chamber of Trade, Mochdre Business Network, Rhos-on-Sea Traders Association and Old Colwyn Community association. These representatives came together specifically to form a BID Steering Group with the aim of pulling together a BID Proposal and Business Plan which would relate and potentially unite businesses across all areas and all business sectors to develop the economy of the Bay of Colwyn.

In 2015 it secured the ballot to become the first district wide BID in the UK in Colwyn Bay, Wales starting BID operations in April 2016.

Its vision is ‘Creating the Bay of Colwyn: the seaside centre, perfectly placed for business and leisure’

Key Objectives

• To develop and promote the strengths and characteristics of the Bay of Colwyn as a seaside centre for leisure and business and build awareness locally and regionally for all of its business sectors.
• To develop a functional environment for businesses and a distinctive and attractive experience for visitors and workers in the area.
• To provide support to businesses in each part of the Bay of Colwyn.