Summer is finally here and we hope you will have noticed the floral displays which have appeared throughout the town centre. The BID has installed additional cubes, three tier arrangements, hanging baskets, barrier baskets and pole baskets in the town centre.

We think they make a tremendous difference to the town, and once the flowers really bed in, they will create a spectacular display across the town, and a perfect backdrop to the summer activities taking place in the town centre.

First up, we have Imagine Watford festival, which the BID sponsors taking place next weekend. Organised by Watford Palace Theatre, the festival features exciting outdoor performances from international theatre companies along The Parade. This type of event can only help raise the town’s profile and I would really encourage people to come into the town and enjoy this great free event. The Friday night performance is always spectacular and I cannot wait to see what’s been planned for this year.

Hot on the heels of the festival is this year’s outdoor cinema, the Big Screen. The screen will be set up on the events space in The Parade and will screen an entertaining line-up of films from July 6.

Of course this summer, we can’t get away from the football. We encourage people to come into the town and enjoy the football safely. To support this, in partnership with CitiParks and the majority of our bars and pubs in the town centre, we have introduced a designated driver scheme – which will run for the whole of the World Cup. Drivers can enjoy free hot or soft drinks, just show your CitiPark parking ticket and car keys to claim your drinks.

Last month’s big promotion was the Watford Food & Drink Week which highlighted the town’s restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, cafes and fast food outlets. We ran adverts and promotions with local media to showcase the variety of the town’s offer. We’d welcome any feedback you have, as it’s an activity which we are looking to build and improve. Please visit the Watford BID website to complete our short questionnaire.

Finally, we should also mention how well the High Street improvements are going. In a few months the works will be completed and you will see such a difference in the town come the autumn, especially when the new intu extension starts its phased opening with Debenhams.

Watford Business Improvement District (BID) works for and is funded by town centre businesses, working together, investing in and improving the town centre.

Keep up to date with BID activities by visiting www.watfordbid.co.uk.

  • Maria Manion is chief executive of Watford BID