Review of 2025/26: Our Plans for 2026/27
As the financial year draws to a close the BID has produced its first formal report of activities, setting out projects and achievements over the past 10 months, since our ballot result in June 2025. This statutory document sets out how the BID levy was spent and our plans for 2026/27.
A Look at 2025/26
The first year, from June 2025 to March 2026 saw Grand Union BID hit the ground running, focusing on a series of demonstration projects that promoted high levels of participation, while scaling up capacity in the team. Over 1,450 colleagues from 50 companies joined us at wellbeing networks, events and social value activities in our first ten months. Long-term strategic social value programmes have begun to emerge, with BID members shaping priorities around employability and careers, literacy, digital inclusion and sustainability.
In a strong vote of confidence we have seen an increasing number of companies participate in BID activities and place their trust in us to deliver. Members told us they wanted the BID to bring companies together, to volunteer, to socialise and to network.
Plans for 2026/27
The BID will continue to prioritise strategic social value programmes, alongside multi-company volunteering events around Earth Day, in the summer and at Christmas. Our successful events programme will continue, with stand up paddleboarding once again, a new corporate padel league and discovery walks. A microgrants programme will be launched, to support local schools, charities and community groups. The BID will once again bring members together with the school community to celebrate London Life Sciences Week.
Networks and Wellbeing
The BID's ESG Network will be expanded, with themed events to spotlight local community partners. Our new Digital Inclusion Network will begin to roll out programmes to tackle digital exlcusion in Westminster. A new Social and Sports Network will bring together internal communication and social leads at Paddington companies to help shape and share the BID's activities. Following our first successful wellbeing event, focusing on beareavement and the workplace, the BID will act on suggestions and priorities from members as the wellbeing series continues into our second year.