Client: Blackpool Business Improvement District 

Project: Mid-term Review

What were MAKE asked to do?

Blackpool BID wanted to review progress of its business plan with board and members to ensure it was in good shape ahead of its ballot in two years’ time. 

How did MAKE do it?

• We interviewed each of the 12 board members in confidence – examining business strategy, priorities, sources of conflict and areas for performance improvement.

• We reviewed the business plan and progress to date on its objectives.

• We surveyed the BID’s 500+ members to gain an accurate picture of the BID’s strengths, weaknesses and their impressions of its performance against the objectives, as well as their priorities for the next business plan.

• Our report set out the areas of strong performance, problems and conflicts. It made recommendations based on our knowledge of the British BID scene about how they could improve the services and organisational performance in the short-term and set out priorities for the re-ballot.  

What happened next?

The BID used the review to make internal management changes, tighten job roles, and to prepare a new business plan for consideration by its members in 2015. They succeeded in the renewal ballot and are now delivering those priorities laid out in the MAKE report until 2020. 

What unique value did MAKE bring to this project?

As a business, we understand other businesses, but also we have the unique perspective of being the leader in the night-time economy, something that is critical to Blackpool’s success. We brought both the independence of a traditional management consultancy as well as sector-specific insight into the challenges facing Blackpool.