Waterloo Quarter’s Director of Operations Helen Santer has accepted a British BIDs accreditation award on behalf of the BID.

Helen was presented with the award at the British BIDs conference in October.

The accreditation is the industry standard to measure a BID’s quality management systems, and the award followed praise for Waterloo Quarter’s management systems, its robust project appraisal systems and its innovation in projects such as its “Zero to Landfill” scheme.

Other topics of conversation at the conference included pop-up shops which showcase creative uses for vacant retail units and cost neutral BIDs, which save businesses more money than their levy contribution.

Delegates also heard from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) on their recent report on the future of town centres.

Despite recent, sustained decline, the BRC believe that there is a future for successful town centres that offer distinction from out-of-town retail through promoting a 'unique sense of place'.

BRC believe there is an important role for BIDs in promoting the individualism of town centres and their connection to the local community.