Four people who’ve supported the business community in Bury St Edmunds town centre since the early days of the  (BID) have had their work recognised. The two directors and two members of staff have worked with Our Bury St Edmunds since the very early days of BID, which began in 2010.

Andrea Mayley from the Economic Development team at West Suffolk Council was one of the founding directors of the BID in 2010 and has remained on the board ever since. Businessman Andrew Speed who has twice been Chairman of the BID joined as a director in the spring of 2011. Chief Executive Mark Cordell took up his post in February 2011 and Events Manager Jackie Regan began working with the BID during 2010 before being appointed permanently in January 2011.

Current Chairman William Bryant said: ‘I can remember Bury St Edmunds town centre before the BID existed and the work of these four individuals – supported of course by many others over the course of the last ten years – has made a big difference. The events Our Bury St Edmunds has organised, with the backing and work behind the scenes from directors, in the years before the pandemic such as Christmas Lights Switch On, the Whitsun Fayre and the Food & Drink Festival have really showcased the town. As I have become more involved with the Board and on taking up the Chair last year the support that I’ve had from Andrea and Andrew in sharing their wealth of experience as directors has been the best preparation possible for this role.”

His sentiments were echoed by Vice-Chairman Maria Broadbent who runs Mediterranean restaurant Casa. She added: “I know that when the BID was launched, as is so often the case with something new, there was an element of suspicion from the business community at first. But Mark and Jackie have worked tirelessly for this town, not just with events but forming partnerships with local authorities and securing benefits for us all such as the free from three parking initiative. Mark has also not been afraid to challenge decisions made about the town centre by other organisations when there’s been a concern that businesses may be adversely affected.”

Former Chairman Andrew Speed commented: “We have achieved a lot and, I believe, have done a great job representing business interests across the town. I think the whole company is well placed to tackle the new and unique challenges that lie ahead.”

Business Improvement Districts are renewed every five years in a ballot voted for by the member businesses. Our Bury St Edmunds secured its third term in a ballot at the end of 2019.