A spokesperson for The BID Foundation said:

“The BID Foundation (TBF) was established in January 2018 following a UK-wide industry consultation which revealed the need for an independent body to provide an authoritative voice for business improvement districts (BIDs). The Institute of Place Management (IPM) at Manchester Metropolitan University was selected to help develop our industry-led body.

As the independent body acting on behalf of BIDs across the UK, it’s vital that we regularly review our services and offering to ensure it continues to act in the best interests of BIDs.

The Institute of Place Management is evolving their organisational priorities and structure with an increased focus on its academic vision, courses, and impactful research. Therefore, the TBF leadership board have taken the opportunity to review our existing partnership arrangements with the IPM and we have mutually agreed we will be finalising our partnership, now operating as independent bodies.

The TBF Leadership Board is having positive discussions around the future of the organisation. We will continue to work as a not-for-profit membership body in serving the best interests of our members and will keep our members and the wider industry updated throughout this transition.

Whilst they are no longer organisational partners, we will continue to work closely with the IPM as industry friends. We are extremely grateful to the IPM for their support, expertise and guidance they have provided to The BID Foundation to date and thank them for the service to The BID Foundation and our members."