In September 2020, the BID won a gold award at the desktop judged version of the much loved London in Bloom competition. The BID area looked beautiful despite premises being locked up due to Coronavirus. Read more.
On the 14 September, in response to feedback from businesses in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, PaddingtonNow BID Board of Directors voted to write off three months of the annual BID Levy covering April, May and June 2020 to help our BID members through a difficult time. Read more.
Yoga in the Square started up again in September 2020 after being cancelled in June, July and August due to Coronavirus safety measures. The well attended event took place every Tuesday throughout September bringing yoga enthusiasts to Paddington from all corners of London.
Explore Paddington Magazine was released at the end of August 2020, adapted and improved to suit the post Coronavirus pandemic lockdown scene or alfresco activities including dining out, and following art trails.
As the UK started to reopen the BID created a Back to Business web page to help guide businesses through the government advice and restrictions in regards to opening safely. Read more
In lockdown, the BID worked closely with Westminster, TfL, the Mayors Office, BIDs and other key stakeholders to widened pavements in the area to provide more space for hospitality businesses that could provide out door seating for dining outside. Walking and cycling routes were also defined and promoted as well as social distancing signage added to the area.
During lockdown the BID campaign the BID has supported the Eat Out to Help Out, Sight See Crowd Free, Because I’m a Londoner, Raise the Bar and National Time Out campaigns to help attract more people back in to London or to seek additional relief for our businesses.
On March 23, 2020 the UK went in to Lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. All but essential shops could remain open. In order to help businesses navigate their way through this difficult time the BID created the Cornavirus Hub. A webpage that businesses could go to find out about schemes such as furlough, business loans, social distancing rules and regulations and much more.
On 3 March 2020, the BID held a Managing Stress and Worry Workshop at WeWork on Eastbourne Terrace. The event was attended at full capacity and received excellent feedback. Read more.
In March 2020, the BID distributed the 2019-2020 Billing Leaflet. The annual leaflet highlights some of the BID’s achievements in the last year and outlines plans for the financial year ahead. Read more.
In February 2020, the BID produced ‘A Pocket Guide to Staying Safe in London’. The small guide was designed for BID businesses to be able to hand out to clients living, visiting or working in the area. Read more.
In January 2020, PaddingtonNow BID was announced as a Britain in Bloom finalist and asked to represent London in the 2020 RHS competition. Read more.
