Business and Community - working together to create a better place

The Blue Bermondsey BID began its operations after a resounding yes from its local businesses, at its first ballot in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019 for a second five year term.

hub at its heart that is the foundation for implementing the BID’s vision for the wider area in the coming years that is geared to inspiring more economic prosperity and opportunity.

Throughout this time the BID has instigated a sequence of positive change and raised the area profile to attract immense investment and interest and its work has been a key factor in putting the Blue on a stable and optimistic footing.

Importantly it is the support and levy contribution from its member businesses aligned with strong partnerships with local community stakeholders that has underpinned all that has been achieved to date.

From the beginning the BID board, acknowledged that the historic Blue Market was a significant asset, and its rejuvenation could act as an economic driver for South Bermondsey as a whole, and in 2019 the BID led a community campaign with support from Southwark Council, to gain £2m funding from the Mayor of London’s good growth fund.

The subsequent improvements to the Market Place have provided the Blue with a unique and inviting community

At the core of the vision is the desire for a vibrant market that is a true representation of the demographic and diversity of the area in the present day and the BID supported local charity Big Local Works to develop and submit a successful proposal to Southwark Council to take over the management and operation of the market.

As well as hosting the weekly stalls the Market Place also hosts regular events celebrating different cultures with wide ranging programme of family activities that have drawn thousands of people to the area and brought extra spend to the high streets as well as boosting customer retention and proving a catalyst for bringing people of all backgrounds together to boost community cohesion and unity.

In addition to the works to Market Place, a new cut through pedestrian route to the Biscuit Factory and better physical connections from surrounding areas were created, including the pedestrianisation of Blue Anchor Lane with new planting area and trees, to create an attractive connection to the Low Line alongside new way-finding signage and community murals located on routes from key local business hubs.

What has been achieved over the past few years at the Blue has been monumental and it has been done through hard work and solid and trusted community connections with genuine consideration to establishing a long term strategy that will bring more prosperity to its business members. It is also creating an exemplar model of locally led regeneration by fostering deep connections and facilitating a robust network of resources with the emphasis on community engagement to help build an authentic, modern, cosmopolitan, multicultural, neighbourhood that is resilient and empowered for the benefit of all.

Come down the blue , as we say locally, to see what’s on offer,do shopping and enjoy a munch or coffee in one of the many eateries or just chill out. Thank you for supporting our local business community and we hope to see you soon here in The Blue.