The newly announced High Potential Talent visa scheme is aimed at attracting the world’s top talent to our shores and by in large this will be a good thing for the UK. This though will not solve the current skills crisis in retail hospitality and leisure (RHL).

A new transport consultation launched this week, yes, another one, could see many city centre streets become car free and threaten vital access to businesses at a time of post covid recovery.

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson’s Combined Authority are holding another transport consultation. Read Cambridge CEO, Ian Sandison’s thoughts in his latest Opinion Piece.

I spent Friday night out on the town, great I hear you say, actually I was part of a multi-agency team self-assessing our beautiful city for our Purple Flag award. This is a nationally recognised scheme that accredits a city as having a safe evening economy.

As we enter May and the weather improves then a real sense that, summer is coming is in the air. The football season is heading to a dramatic end, the cricket season has started and people’s thoughts are turning to summer holidays.

Easter is a time for reflection and new beginnings, in this week’s opinion piece Ian Sandison, Cambridge BID CEO reflects upon Cambridge and the many signs of business rebirth we are starting to see in the city.

Cambridge BID are delighted to announce the appointment of three new board members that will strengthen the board as we go into our 10th year of project delivery.

In this week’s opinion piece, Cambridge BID CEO, Ian Sandison discusses the Chancellor’s Spring Statement and the overcast feeling this has left for businesses.

On Wednesday March 23rd The Chancellor will deliver his spring statement, whilst this is not a budget by any means it is an opportunity to review the economy and make any necessary changes. Two issues are on the mind of businesses.

Michael Gove followed up his 332-page levelling up white paper last week with a further comment that supports the devolution of business rates to our Regional Mayors.

The event, held in the Cambridge Union Society, was designed to celebrate the very best customer service in the city. It was attended by representatives of businesses that participated in Cambridge BID’s 2021 Mystery Shop programme - including eateries, attractions, accommodation providers and retailers.

Weekly footfall in Cambridge was up 5% last week, that was on top of a 20% weekly rise the week before. This is above the national data for high streets and compared to 2019 last week Cambridge was only 10% down whereas nationally high streets were -20%.