Bedford Websites

Live in Bedford is just one of the many websites that focus on Bedford and the area.  Some Bedford Websites provide a broad overview of the activities or services that are generally available and happening in Bedford, some are run by companies who will tell you just what they provide.   

Local Authorities

Bedford Borough Council

The District of Bedford was formed on 1 April 1974 as a merger of the existing borough of Bedford, along with Kempston urban district and Bedford Rural District. In 1975 the district was granted a royal charter granting borough status as North Bedfordshire. The borough was renamed as Borough of Bedford in 1992. Over half of the former municipal borough of Bedford is unparished, however Brickhill is a parish, and Queens Park as well as Cauldwell & Kingsbrook elect their own urban community councils who have similar functions to parish councils. The rest of the district including Kempston is parished.

Local Interest

Come around to Bedford
BedfordBID was the country’s first county town Business Improvement District. In 2005 local businesses said ‘YES’ to the BedfordBID proposal, giving us a five year mandate to enhance our trading environment. Since then it has gone from strength to strength and has been widely recognised as one of the best. We are now delighted to introduce our second BedfordBID Business Plan, 2010-2015 which seeks to build on our successful projects and respond to new issues that you have raised.

BedfordBID is a direct response to your ideas to improve your trading environment and enhance profitability. The business plan seeks to make the town centre safer and friendlier, drive sales and asset values and through coherent place making and marketing strategy attract customers, improve their experience and exceed their expectations.  BedfordBID has been proud to play a part in this, making sure the united voice of Bedford businesses is heard loud and clear. The BedfordBID is now recognised as a force for good in the town centre and the Authorities are reminded of the valuable contribution businesses make to the area. Through BedfordBID the businesses will continue to genuinely control their trading environment driven by a private sector management approach.

The BedfordBID team strives everyday to make sure they are working to better your business and in particular Board Directors who all have businesses but give up their time freely to help run BedfordBID for you.

In other town centres at home and abroad the BedfordBID is held up as an example of a partnership which is making a real difference to business. We have had visits from towns across the UK, as well as Europe and Government departments such as the Home Office. Our BID has won a number of awards and both The Independent and Guardian have featured Bedford as a great place to set up business and to live. You have entrusted us with your support and ideas and told us in our surveys that they have made a difference for the better, 90% have said they want the BedfordBID services to continue. Together, over the last five years, we have come a long way and we hope that our record demonstrates our commitment to your business, the town centre and just what can be achieved by working together.  We are now asking you to carefully consider the new BedfordBID Business Plan as it is only by you voting ‘YES’ that we can continue to transform Bedford Town Centre.