As the lovely weather continues, it provides the perfect backdrop for the summer events programme. Watford BID sponsored the Imagine Festival and the end of June, the highlight of the weekend for many was the spectacular evening event which attracted huge crowds to the town. This was followed by the arrival of the Big Screen

Our bars and pubs were destinations for World Cup viewing and it was great to hear that football fans in Watford behaved well, with very few incidents reported. The BID, in partnership with Citiparks and a number of bars and pubs in the town centre, ran its first designated driver scheme, which gave free soft drinks to the person who drove their friends into town to watch a match. The scheme worked well, and we are now in the final stages of producing promotional material to promote the town centre’s theatres, live music venues, bars and clubs.

In August the town centre will be independently assessed for the quality of its management of the early evening and night time economy; this is for the Purple Flag award. The two assessors stay in the town and visit a number of venues over the course of an evening and night. Watford is the only town in Hertfordshire to hold the award, which also recognises the partnership working between businesses, the police and council.

This month we were also informed that Watford BID has been formally accredited by British BIDs, a professional body that supports business improvement districts. The award is granted to BIDs that demonstrate they are operating in line with a national BID criteria, following an independent assessment of key areas such as governance, financials, performance management, communication and reporting. There are more than 300 BIDs across the UK and Watford BID is now one of only 25 to earn this kitemark.

The summer weather did bring an increase in street drinkers and anti-social behaviour. This is not a problem unique to Watford. The police have been very active in managing the situation and there has been a marked decrease in recent weeks. If anyone has any issues with street drinkers or antisocial behaviour please report it by calling 101 or visiting the Herts police website.

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