Welcome to the Stratforward Business Improvement District website.

Stratford has so much to offer, but the town can only be truly effective when businesses come together and support town centre initiatives. It is only through a positive and unified approach that Stratford can truly realise its full potential as a premium business, visitor and retail town.

 Background and formation 

The formation of the Stratforward Business Improvement District Ltd was the result of a 2-year consultation process with the Stratford town centre business community. The development process concluded with the publication and distribution of a formal, legally binding proposal in February 2009 and town-wide postal ballot throughout March.  The ballot was carried out by an independent body, the Electoral Reform Service. All eligible businesses were required, on receipt of their individually posted ballot paper, to indicate whether they were for or against the formation of a Business Improvement District.  

On April 2nd 2009, the Stratforward Business Improvement District was given the go-ahead by local businesses. After a closed postal ballot throughout March 2009, 72% of voters said ‘yes’ to the project, with a 69% majority on rateable value.

Responsibilities and core objective

Stratforward is charged with delivering a comprehensive marketing strategy; to increase and develop events and festivals; the introduction of a Town Host programme; the introduction of new street entertainment, as well as offering a range of business support initiatives.

Stratforward has a five year minimum project life span and collects and manages a budget, in excess of £1.75million. This is used to achieve the company’s key objective:

Bring more people into Stratford town centre, make them stay longer, spend more and leave happy.

Click on the following to view a copy of the Stratforward Business Plan 2009 -2014 

Chris Gregory

Project Director