BUSINESS NEWS
Launch of new directory to champion Bath ’ s independents
A new publication has launched in Bath highlighting the city ’ s array of independent businesses .
Indie Bath is an initiative from Bath BID ( Business Improvement District ) designed to make it easier for people to discover and support the city ’ s independent businesses . It features a company directory , latest news from independent businesses , fascinating facts about some of Bath ’ s world-leading organisations and more .
All independent businesses in Bath city centre were offered a free business listing in the publication , and 150 retailers , cafés , restaurants , pubs and bars , hotels , attractions and professional services businesses are featured in the publication ’ s Indie A – Z .
Indie Bath is available to pick up from Bath & North East Somerset Council ’ s High Street Hub at 15 Cheap Street and from independent businesses around the city centre .
Two issues , a summer and a winter edition , will be produced each year .
Bath BID Chief Executive , Allison Herbert , said , “ As Bath reopens and we
" We are delighted to be able to offer this and hope that people will use the publication as a tool to discover businesses they haven ' t come across before ”
welcome people back to the city , it is so important to support the city ’ s businesses . When we asked our Independents ’ Collective how best we could help them , they told us that they wanted a physical
guide to indies in the city to allow businesses to promote each other .
“ We are delighted to be able to offer this and hope that people will use the publication as a tool to discover businesses they haven ’ t come across before and be reminded of old favourites .” Ellie Leiper from The Grapes , Bath , said , “ The presence of the Bath BID was a defining factor in our choice to start a business in Bath , as it provides so much support , creating a safe and welcoming city . Indie Bath is another way that the Bath BID is supporting local businesses , and we are so pleased to now have a comprehensive guide to independent businesses in the city that we can share with our customers .”
Finalist for two top industry awards
The Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau , an organisation which promotes the Bristol and Bath region for business events , has been named as a finalist in two prestigious event industry awards .
The team has been shortlisted for ‘ Best UK Convention Bureau ’ at the M & IT Awards , the event industry ’ s biggest awards programme . Fellow finalists include convention bureaus representing Belfast , Birmingham and the West Midlands , Glasgow , Liverpool and London . The winners of the award will be announced at a ceremony at Evolution London on Friday 8th October 2021 .
In addition to this , Meet Bristol & Bath has also secured a place as finalist for the ‘ miaList 2021 Team Award ,’ which recognises outstanding and passionate teams from across the meetings , hospitality and events industry . Meet Bristol & Bath is nominated in the ' Best Destination ' category , along with convention bureau teams from Belfast , Leeds and Liverpool . The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel on Thursday 4th November 2021 .
The convention bureau ’ s place on the shortlists follows its rebrand at the beginning of the year to become a regional convention bureau , offering services in Bristol , Bath and the surrounding areas . It was launched by Visit West , the destination management organisation for the region .
Kathryn Davis , Director of Tourism at Visit West said , “ This is an incredible , but well deserved , double shortlist for the Meet Bristol & Bath team . The last 18 months have been catastrophic for the events industry , and the team , which at the time was reduced to just one person due to furlough , continued to support organisers and venues whether rescheduling or providing updates and guidance .
“ I am so proud of all they have achieved , not least the rebrand and inclusion of venues in the Bath area , extending their service to cover the west of England . Their dedication and positivity in incredibly difficult circumstances has been inspiring .”
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