Members' benefits
Being a Stratford Original BID member has it’s perks. Take advantage of the exclusive services, opportunities and offers we provide for all of our members.
Safer Stratford
Focusing on making Stratford a safer place for employees, shoppers and visitors is the priority this group, working together with stakeholders to address safety issues to improve the overall perception of Stratford.
Promoting & Activating
The core objectives for our promoting Stratford group is to create opportunities to drive footfall to the town centre through a host of seasonal events for the community and beyond. In addition to support members with promotion and highlight the areas unique identify, encouraging visitors and residents to explore the town centre and to contribute to the local economy.
Enhancing Stratford
There is ongoing continuous investment and development in Stratford. It is important the town centre remains a welcoming place for everybody to enjoy. The BID have and will continue to initiate and facilitate enhancement initiatives from art installations and enhanced lighting to greening and anti-littering campaigns to make Stratford more welcoming.
Business Essentials
Stratford has a diverse and wide range of businesses. Through Doing Business we provide a range of opportunities to help businesses cut costs and increase revenue, through joint procurement and subsidised waste and recycling rates. We also organise free networking opportunities and offer free training for our members.
From huge pop-up screens, to Easter trails and illumination shows, we put on town centre events throughout the year to promote Stratford and drive footfall. As well as events for the community we also host seasonal networking parties to give our members the opportunity to get to know their BID neighbours.
Does your business require you or your employees to have statutory training, or would you like to upskill your employees on a range of business topics? We offer our members free quality training courses, with certified providers in a variety of subjects, every month. So far we have run courses in Emergency First Aid, Food Hygiene, GDPR, Social Media and more. Look out for our new wellbeing classes coming soon.
Please note:
- Certain courses fill up quickly so sign up quickly to avoid disappointment
- To register for the courses you need to be a Stratford Original BID member and will need to provide the password Stratford. Most businesses within Stratford Town Centre are Stratford Original BID members. If you are unsure if you qualify for this service, please get in touch, stating your employer.
- There is a maximum of 4 employees per business, per course. If you would like a bespoke course please contact us.
Our Enhancing theme offers additional greening to help make the area more welcoming for visitors, residents and employees. So far we have re-planted and maintained the Burford Rd planter, and the 4 planters at Tramway avenue. We have also provided 7 of our members with large planters along with a gardening kit to enhance the outside of their businesses.
Do you want to help shape Stratford town centre? Have a business voice at one of our bi-monthly steering group meetings. Each of our theme groups has it’s own forum, so whether you are interested in promoting your business or want to work with our ambassadors and local police teams to help improve safety, you have the flexibility to be part of what’s important to you and your business. If you are interested in getting involved please sign up with the link below.
Are you looking to save money on various business costs?
We have partnered with Meercats to provide our members with exclusive offers on a wide range of services such as; gas & electricity, merchant fees, telecoms, water rates and much more. So far our members have saved over £42,000, but there is a lot more money to be saved.
Contact us to see how much money you could save.
We have partnered with Meercats to provide our members with exclusive offers on a wide range of services such as; gas & electricity, merchant fees, telecoms, water rates and much more. So far our members have saved over £42,000, but there is a lot more money to be saved.
Contact us to see how much money you could save.
- Save up to 50% on utilities and waste management. Meercat Associates will review your existing usage and arrange the best tariff.
- Pay less for telecoms, IT and digital network services. The company offers VoiP solutions, IT support, high-speed connectivity, etc.
- Do your testings. Meercat Associates will take care of Fire Risk Assessments, Health & Safety Risk Assessments, Fire Alarm Testing, Emergency Lighting Testing, and other.
- Get any pest-control problems resolved.
The Stratford Original Joint Procurement service is free to all BID members and will be saving you time and money.
Be a bigger part of the local business community by signing up to our rewards scheme, My Stratford Rewards. With a My Stratford Rewards card you can also save money on meeting rooms, lunch and more at other local businesses.
Be a bigger part of the local business community by signing up to our rewards scheme, My Stratford Rewards. With a My Stratford Rewards card you can also save money on meeting rooms, lunch and more at other local businesses.
My Stratford Rewards helps ensure that the consumer continues to shop and save in Stratford town centre, benefiting local and independent business. So far we have 19 live offers from 17 BID members, and there has been an increase in consumer demand for our rewards card.
How to get involved
All you will need to do is fill out the online form stating what reward you would like to submit. This could be anything from 10% off a meal to 2 for 1 tickets to a theatre performance. If you would like some inspiration, visit our Rewards page to see what other local businesses have offered.
Benefits for your business
- Promotion through our website, social media, emails and printed newsletter
- Increased customer loyalty
We have teamed up with award-winning company First Mile to offer you the best waste & recycling services which save your business money.
Join the other 57 BID members who have saved money through our waste and recycling scheme. We subsidise 67% of your mixed recycling costs, meaning you only pay 33p per £1.
As well as saving money through our First Mile scheme our members help contribute towards a positive impact on the local environment too. By utilising First Mile's services helps to consolidate the number of vehicles/waste & recycling collections entering Stratford town on a daily basis, and therefore our members are helping to reduce the levels of carbon monoxide and smog in the air, reducing pollution with fewer vehicles entering the town centre.
Join the other 57 BID members who have saved money through our waste and recycling scheme. We subsidise 67% of your mixed recycling costs, meaning you only pay 33p per £1.
As well as saving money through our First Mile scheme our members help contribute towards a positive impact on the local environment too. By utilising First Mile's services helps to consolidate the number of vehicles/waste & recycling collections entering Stratford town on a daily basis, and therefore our members are helping to reduce the levels of carbon monoxide and smog in the air, reducing pollution with fewer vehicles entering the town centre.
What can you recycle? Besides mixed and food, First Mile helps with glass, paper, stationery, toner, battery, cardboard, light bulb, and other recycling.
Over the past 12 months* our members have recycled an astonishing amount of business waste, equivalent to:
- 712 trees
- 88 tonnes of C02
- 44,427kwh of energy
Don't hesitate to contact us for more details.
Zipcar offers a great selection of vehicles including transporters and vans flexibly on a per-hour rate. Normally, the yearly membership costs £99. Sign up here and get your first year free. The offer is open to BID member businesses and their employees.