What we do

We provide a vital link between business, education, the local authority, voluntary and community groups and other organisations, both across Bath and North East Somerset as well as the whole of the West of England, for example being involved in the setting up of the Local Enterprise Partnership, and also feeding responses into national Government via British Chambers of Commerce

Informed Content: These days it is all too easy for people to react to situations without considering all points of view. We provide members with the information they need to come to a rational conclusion so that when the Initiative takes a position on an issue it carries the weight of a trusted organisation.

There are multiple opportunities for businesses to respond to consultations on important proposals. However, that frequently requires them to read through lengthy documents which can be a time consuming task. Consequently, we are often able to produce a much shorter briefing document, setting out the main points and raising pertinent questions. In this way members have a chance to consider issues and take a proper part in the informed debate. 

Voice for business: The Executive Director is the spokesperson for the Initiative, providing coherent and well thought out responses on behalf of members who may not necessarily want to put their own company’s proverbial head above the parapet.

Political linkages: We forge relationships with MPs, Councillors and Officers to ensure members’ views and concerns are heard in the corridors of power.

Bath Clean Air Zone: When Councillors were deliberating on the nature of a Clean Air Zone for Bath, we brought in experts from the University of Bath’s Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems who were able to explain latest research findings which was an important contribution to the debate which ended without the need to charge cars.

City Centre Management: A number of Initiative members committed to raising money over three years which was matched by the local authority in order to create sufficient funds to employ a City Centre Manager. They took on a range of important duties and was enable to make the arrangements necessary for the office to evolve into a Business Improvement District, which still continues to operate successfully today. 

Tourism and the Visitor Economy: The Initiative and the Council set up Bath Tourism Plus, a joint enterprise which helped to promote the area to visitors all over the world. This has now merged into VisitWest, a sub-regional organisation which works to generate interest in the many attractions across the West of England.

Future Ambition Board: The local authority responded to the demands of the Pandemic by establishing a group to discuss what would be needed to enable economic recovery and renewal. That has now evolved into a body looking at the medium to long term and in which the Executive Director and a number of Initiative members are very much to the fore.