2025 has been a year of strong progress for Wakefield city centre.
From increased footfall and safer streets to major events, visible investment and successful business campaigning, Wakefield BID has continued to deliver against its commitment to support businesses, improve the city centre and build pride in Wakefield.
Over the past year, Wakefield BID has worked closely with businesses, partners and stakeholders to turn priorities into action – and the results are clear.
Footfall on the Rise
Wakefield city centre saw a positive uplift in 2025, with footfall increasing by 8% to 34.4 million visits over the year. This growth reflects growing confidence in the city, supported by events, campaigns, public realm improvements and strong partnership working.
Supporting Wakefield Businesses
Supporting city centre businesses remains at the heart of Wakefield BID’s work.
Throughout 2025, the BID team provided practical, day-to-day support through:
- One-to-one business engagement and regular visits
- Business drop-ins, sector discussions and workshops
- Promotion through Wakefield BID and Ey Up Wakefield channels
- Free access to training via the Wakefield BID learning platform
- Use of the BID office as a hub for meetings, collaboration and support
To strengthen delivery on the ground, Wakefield BID also expanded its team in 2025:
- James, Street Ranger – focused on on-street presence, reporting issues, cleanliness and environmental improvements
- Jade, Marketing and Events Assistant – supporting campaigns, events, promotion and business engagement
- Danny, continuing to play a key role in business engagement and operational delivery across the city
Championing Business Priorities
A key role of Wakefield BID is to represent the collective voice of businesses and work constructively with partners to deliver positive outcomes.
Free Parking
Wakefield BID actively supported the return of free parking in Wakefield city centre. As a result, two hours’ free parking across council-run city centre car parks was agreed for the Christmas trading period, supporting accessibility, footfall and business confidence.
Free Pavement Café Licences
Following continued engagement with Wakefield Council, pavement café licences remained free throughout 2025. This delivered over £15,000 in direct savings for hospitality businesses and helped support outdoor trading across the city.
Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)
Wakefield BID played an active role in shaping the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), ensuring business views were clearly represented. The PSPO has now been agreed and is being implemented, addressing a range of business concerns and supporting a safer, more welcoming city centre.
Making Wakefield Safer
Safety has been a major focus for Wakefield BID throughout 2025.
Key highlights include:
- Continued development of Safer Wakefield, strengthening communication and intelligence-sharing between businesses, Wakefield BID, West Yorkshire Police and Wakefield Council
- Over 100 businesses now part of the Safer Wakefield scheme, supporting quicker communication and a more joined-up approach to safety
- Retail crime engagement and support for reporting
- Delivery of safety-related training, including WalkSafe, Ask for Angela and Active Bystander
- The launch of Best Bar None in Wakefield, supporting higher standards and a positive night-time economy
Events and Campaigns That Animate the City
Wakefield BID delivered and supported a wide-ranging programme of events and seasonal campaigns throughout 2025, helping to drive footfall, engagement and pride across the year.
Highlights included:
- Merrie City Festival, delivering four days of free entertainment, culture and family activity in August
- Rhubarb Festival, including the Wakefield BID Demo Tent, giving local businesses the opportunity to showcase and engage with visitors
- Artwalk Wakefield, supporting one of the city’s flagship cultural events and boosting footfall during evening trading
- Wakefield Coffee Week and Wakefield Beer & Ale Week, celebrating the city’s hospitality sector
- Easter campaigns encouraging families into the city centre during the spring holidays
- Halloween campaigns supporting businesses during the autumn half-term
- Christmas campaigns and festive activity across the city centre
These initiatives help ensure Wakefield remains active and vibrant throughout the year.
Pride in Place – Visible Investment in the City Centre
Wakefield BID continued to make visible investment into the city centre environment throughout 2025, focusing on cleanliness, maintenance and pride.
This included:
- Regular graffiti removal across the city centre
- Jet washing of pavements and key areas
- Painting and refreshing bollards to improve the appearance of streets
- Regular litter picking, particularly in known hotspot areas
- Installation of city centre banners promoting Wakefield and key campaigns
- Delivery of Wakefield in Bloom in both summer and winter, enhancing the city centre year-round
Wakefield BID also worked closely with Wakefield Council to secure a more robust programme of tree trimming and maintenance, improving visibility, lighting and CCTV sightlines across key streets.
Alongside this physical investment, Ey Up Wakefield continued to promote the city, celebrate local businesses and encourage people to visit and spend time in Wakefield.
Celebrating Success
2025 was also a year of recognition.
Wakefield BID was proud to be named Best Not-For-Profit of the Year at the Wakefield Business Awards, recognising the impact of its work and partnerships. The BID also delivered the Wakefield BID Awards, celebrating the businesses, people and organisations that contribute so much to the city.
Looking Ahead
As Wakefield BID looks ahead to 2026, the focus remains on:
- Building on Safer Wakefield
- Delivering a strong programme of events and campaigns
- Supporting businesses through promotion, training and engagement
Wakefield BID would like to thank all businesses, partners and organisations who have worked with us throughout 2025. Together, we are helping to shape a stronger, safer and more confident Wakefield.
