Vicinity and Beyond!

Julie and Henry unpack the proposed Visitor Levy (Tourist Tax UK) and what it could really mean for businesses, hotels, and local economies. Often framed as “just £2 a night,” we go beyond the headlines to explore the true cost of the visitor levy, from administrative burden and compliance risks to its wider impact on pricing, demand, and competitiveness. Is this a smart way to fund local areas, o...

In this second and final part of our deep dive, Julie and Henry move from explanation to reality, unpacking what the 2026 business rates revaluation actually means on the ground for BIDs, councils and local economies. With many areas expecting value increases of 10–15%, the headline might suggest growth, but the real story is more complex. As costs rise across the board, we explore the growing gap...

In this first of a two-part deep dive, Julie and Henry explore what the 2026 business rates revaluation really means for high street businesses. From rateable value hikes hitting pubs, shops and hotels - to transitional reliefs and tiered multipliers - we unpack the shifting tax burden and ask: is this the start of a fairer system, or just pain deferred? We also look at the early impacts for Busin...

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 reflection...

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 v...

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’...

🚀 “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 Impr...

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-...

📢 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 s...

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...

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: ✅...

How do we make evidence based decisions? What makes a Business Improvement District truly successful? In this episode, we explore how to measure the impact of a BID, looking beyond tick-box compliance to real-world value for levy-payers. Henry Jinman plays the role of a BID manager pitching projects to Dr Julie Grail. Will he get any approved?  ✅ Real project examples and how to evaluate their su...

Podcast 4 - What is Good Governance? 🎧 A well-run Business Improvement District (BID) depends on strong governance —but what does that mean in practice? In this episode, we explore the key standards, legal obligations, and best practices for BID governance. 🔍 Topics include: ✔ The 11 governance standards recommended by The BID Foundation ✔ The role & legal duties of BID Directors ✔ Transpare...

What separates a successful Business Improvement District (BID) from an ineffective one? 🔍 Topics include: ✔ The core characteristics of a strong BID ✔ Challenges & criticisms of BIDs—and how to address them ✔ The impact of data, communication & transparency ✔ How Vicinity CRM helps BIDs engage businesses & improve outcomes If you're involved in a BID or want to understand their...

As public services face increasing financial pressures, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are stepping up to fill the gaps. But where’s the line between “essential” and “additional” services? 🤔 In this episode, we dive into: ✅ The original purpose of BIDs and the importance of "additionality" ✅ The impact of declining public sector funding on town centres ✅ Real-world examples of...

In the debut episode of Vicinity and Beyond , Henry Jinman, CEO of Vicinity, is joined by Dr. Julie Grail,  BID expert from the BIDs business. They dive into the complexities of levy collection, exploring why it often falls short of expectations and how this impacts BID managers. Together, they discuss an alternative—self-billing which Julie has already proven with the BID in Worcester and is now...