Vicinity and Beyond!

Vicinity

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Vicinity and Beyond is your gateway to the latest trends in place management, innovative technologies, and insider insights. Whether you're a place manager looking to enhance your community engagement or simply curious about the future of places, our podcast brings you expert interviews, cutting-edge solutions, and industry news that will keep you ahead of the curve. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of place-making and beyond!

12/11/2025

13. Season finale (Part 3): The Future of BIDs – Who Speaks for the Industry?

We end Podcast in Person with the big one: Who is the voice of the BID industry? In this thought-provoking finale, Julie and Henry tackle the question of leadership, representation, and what’s next for the UK’s BID movement. From AI and e-voting to levy fatigue and the future of governance, it’s a fast-paced, and a hopeful close to Season One. 🎯 Includes quickfire predictions, open-mic reflections, and a glimpse at what Season Two could bring. #BIDs #Leadership #FutureOfWork #PlaceManagement #DigitalDemocracy #VicinityAndBeyond

31 min
11/24/2025

07. ABIDs – Mission Drift or Natural Evolution?

With talk of tourist taxes heating up in the UK, Vicinity and Beyond dives into one of the most important debates in the place management and visitor economy world: Are Accommodation BIDs (ABIDs) a natural step forward—or a step too far? In this episode, we explore: 🏨 Where ABIDs came from – how Manchester pioneered the UK model 💰 How ABIDs differ from traditional BIDs – rateable value levies vs. per-night visitor charges 🗳 Why some ABID ballots fail (or fail to get started) – lessons from Bournemouth, Cambridge, and Chester ⚖️ Tourist taxes vs. ABIDs – a deep dive into the pros, cons, and international comparisons 📈 What the evidence says – do tourist levies really harm tourism? 🔮 What’s next – will ABIDs expand, fade, or coexist with national tourist taxes? With new models emerging and tourist tax legislation on the horizon, this episode is packed with insights to help you make sense of a fast-changing landscape. 🗣 BID Managers, DMO leaders, local authorities: Share this episode with colleagues and board members to spark strategic discussions about the future of tourism funding. 🎧 Listen now on Vicinity and Beyond via YouTube or your favourite podcast platform. #BIDs #ABIDs #TouristTax #Placemaking #TourismFunding #VicinityAndBeyond #DestinationMarketing #UKBIDs #LocalGovernment #VisitorEconomy

54 min
11/05/2025

12. Season Finale (part 2): It's Question Time

It’s Question Time - live from Podcast in Person! Dr Julie Grail and Henry Jinman face real questions from BID leaders across the UK on everything from business rates reform and local authority cuts to collaboration, “bad BIDs,” and the future of the industry. 💡 Featuring insights from: Stephen Manion • Nicola Grant • Sophie Alexander • Fran Inman • Steve Bluff • Allison Herbert and more. If you’re in place management or local policy, this is 100% unmissable. #BIDs #PlaceManagement #LocalGovernment #PrideInPlace #HighStreets #VicinityAndBeyond

45 min
10/21/2025

11. Season Finale — “Spaceships, Statutory Duties & the BID Bingo Year”

🚀 “Every episode is basically Henry trying to build a spaceship out of BID levies… and Julie gently reminding him he needs planning permission first.” Season One of Vicinity and Beyond! has been quite a ride. From self-billing and service creep to evidence-based decision-making and whether our podcast needs a CPD code (!), we’ve laughed, debated and reflected on the evolving role of Business Improvement Districts. In this special live-recorded episode, we take stock of the season, the sector — and ourselves. 🎙️ Recorded at Podcast in Person, hosted by The Fitzrovia Partnership and ARUP. #BIDs #PlaceManagement #Governance #PublicPolicy #VicinityAndBeyond

22 min
08/04/2025

10. ABIDs - victims of their own success?

In this episode of Vicinity and Beyond, Henry Jinman and Dr. Julie Grail dive into a fast-evolving issue: Are Accommodation BIDs (ABIDs) becoming victims of their own success? We explore: ✅ Comments and updates since our last episode—especially Liverpool’s shift in model ✅ Practical advice for placemakers and BIDs considering ABID models ✅ The tricky question: could ABIDs pave the way for city-wide tourist taxes that ultimately make them obsolete? 📌 Key questions we tackle: – What’s happened in Liverpool and why it matters – Do tourist taxes threaten the future of ABIDs? – What if ABIDs prove tourist taxes don’t hurt tourism? – And what should BIDs and placemakers do now to prepare? Plus: We share practical tips for BIDs looking to creating an ABID and engaging hotels. __________ CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Comments 4:30 Hotel Ts&Cs 12:40 Liverpool ABID 20:00 Supplementing BID revenue 22:40 ABIDs - our predictions 26:20 Engaging hotels 28:00 Ring-fencing revenue 35:00 Conclusion ___________

40 min
07/01/2025

09. UK BIDs - is it time for electronic voting?

📢 In this episode of Vicinity and Beyond!, Dr Julie Grail and Henry Jinman tackle one of the most talked-about issues in the BID world today: electronic voting. Is it time to move beyond paper ballots? Join us as we explore what digital transformation could mean for Business Improvement Districts — and what’s standing in the way. 🎙️ In this episode: - Why the current postal BID ballot system is seen as outdated - What UK law allows (and doesn’t) when it comes to e-voting - Real-world lessons from Trade Unions, Estonia, Canada, and Europe - How data privacy, security, and auditability can be safeguarded - What a future UK BID e-ballot could actually look like - The risks, opportunities, and policy changes needed for reform Whether you're a BID manager, local authority, or policymaker, this episode is essential listening for anyone shaping the future of UK town and city centres. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on BIDs, place management, and digital innovation. #BusinessImprovementDistrict #BIDs #ElectronicVoting #DigitalDemocracy #PlaceManagement #LocalGovernment #CivicTech #VicinityAndBeyond

55 min
06/02/2025

VOICES: Placemaking across borders with Rachel Braithwaite (OBIAA)

Placemaking Across Borders: A Conversation with Rachel Braithwaite (OBIAA) In this international edition of the Vicinity Podcast, we’re joined by Rachel Braithwaite, Executive Director of the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), to explore how placemaking, governance, and business engagement differ—and align—across the UK and Canada. 🌎 What we cover: • Rachel’s journey into the world of BIAs and her future role at OBIAA • The key differences between UK BIDs and Ontario BIAs • How levies are structured and collected in Canada • Accountability, stakeholder trust, and transparency in BIA operations • Cultural and regional dynamics, including Indigenous engagement • The future of BIAs: innovation, equity, and digital transformation 💡 Whether you're part of a BID in the UK or a BIA in Canada, this episode is packed with insight into what makes placemaking work—and why local context matters. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on governance, place management, and local economic leadership. #Placemaking #BIDs #BIAs #VicinityPodcast #LocalLeadership #OBIAA

57 min
04/24/2025

06. Welcome to the BID board – a guide for new and existing BID board members

Welcome to this special bonus episode of Vicinity and Beyond, your go-to podcast for place management professionals. In this briefing, we’re highlighting key areas of focus for new BID Board members and offering a practical refresher for the seasoned pros. Being on a BID Board is a privilege—and a responsibility. This episode is packed with guidance to help you thrive in your role, including: ✅ What makes a BID successful ✅ The statutory duties and responsibilities you now hold ✅ The 11 industry standards that define a well-run BID ✅ The six key characteristics of outstanding BIDs ✅ And the smart questions every board member should be asking You’ll also get valuable insights on governance, legal compliance, financial oversight, and how to build trust and transparency with levy payers. Plus, we share top tips on how to collaborate effectively, lead with integrity, and keep your BID future-ready. 🗣️ BID Managers: Share this episode with your new and existing board members as part of their induction or ongoing development—it’s designed to empower them with the knowledge and confidence to lead effectively from day one. Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, there’s something here for everyone. So hit play, take notes, and help your BID thrive. 🔔 Subscribe to Vicinity and Beyond on YouTube and your favourite podcast platforms for more expert insights on placemaking, leadership, and BID best practices. Let’s make our places better—together.

24 min

Vicinity and Beyond is your gateway to the latest trends in place management, innovative technologies, and insider insights. Whether you're a place manager looking to enhance your community engagement or simply curious about the future of places, our podcast brings you expert interviews, cutting-edge solutions, and industry news that will keep you ahead of the curve. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of place-making and beyond!

Creator

Vicinity
Years Active

2K
Episodes

13
Rating

Clean
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© 2025 Vicinity and Beyond!
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Vicinity and Beyond!