Lincoln Big

What Lincoln Big does

Lincoln BIG (legal entity: Lincoln City Centre Partnership Ltd, company number 04662323) is a not-for-profit Business Improvement District (BID) company limited by guarantee, established in 2003 and operating under BID status since April 2005. It serves businesses within a defined Lincoln city centre geographic area spanning from Brayford Way (West) to Broadgate (East) and Newport Arch (North) to St Marks Shopping Centre (South). Its core "customers" are mandatory levy payers — all business ratepayers with rateable value of £6,000 or more — who contribute 1.75% of rateable value, supplemented by voluntary members outside the BID area and major investor members including Lincolnshire Co-op, Lincolnshire County Council, LINDUM Group, Siemens Energy, Stagecoach East Midlands, and PC Coaches.

The organisation delivers a portfolio of services rather than a unified software product. Its safety and security stack includes an NBCC-accredited Security Group with access to the DISC intelligence app, City Centre Wardens (visible uniformed patrols equipped with body-worn cameras), 10 city-wide AEDs, 4 Public Access Trauma Kits, and the Ask for Angela scheme across 40+ licensed venues. Transport services comprise discounted bus passes (£54.45–£80.90/month via Stagecoach), parking permits (£23.69–£113.85/month plus scratch cards), a Sightseeing Tour Bus (VisitEngland Gold-accredited), and a Waitrose-based Park and Ride. Marketing and events include the GEM Awards (independent mystery-shopper judged), the CPI monthly city data report, signature events (Dino City, 1940's Weekend, BIG City Fashion Show, Lincoln Laughs Comedy Festival), and public art trails (IMP Trail, Isaac Newton 300 Trail 2027). Distribution is community-led, delivered through direct service to levy payers, online ordering for passes/permits, and partnerships with Stagecoach and the City of Lincoln Council.

Revenue is split approximately one-third each from BID levy, trading activities and investor membership, and grants and service-level agreements. Total annual investment in city improvements exceeds £1 million. A 9-person operational team — led by Managing Director Simon Beardsley with functional heads across operations, relationships, safety/security, governance, marketing, and wardens — delivers the programme, governed by a voluntary Board of Directors representing levy payers, councils, and partner organisations.

Name

Lincoln Big

Legal name

Lincoln City Centre Partnership Trading As Lincoln Business Improvement Group

Website

https://lincolnbig.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lincoln BIG is a not-for-profit Business Improvement District company serving Lincoln city centre levy-paying businesses with safety and security services, discounted transport (bus passes, parking, tour bus, park and ride), marketing support, events, and business resources, funded by a 1.75% rateable-value levy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Improvement District Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (487110), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising (54185), Other Services Related to Advertising (541890)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management) (BPAFAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

City Squares, Old Towns & Landmark Districts (THAJACAJ), Sales Promotion Campaign Design & Management (BPAFAMAC)

Keywords

• Business improvement district
• City centre management
• Levy payer services
• Community safety partnerships
• Destination marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. BID Levy: The primary funding source is the BID levy, equivalent to 1.75% of rateable value, paid by all businesses within the BID area except those with rateable value below £6,000 per annum. This represents approximately one-third of revenue.
2. Investor Membership: Major landowners and organizations outside the BID area contribute as investor members, gaining a say in organizational direction through investor membership scheme.
3. Trading Activities: Income generated through own trading activities including security services, events, and the sale of bus passes and parking permits.
4. Service Level Agreements: Contracts with local authorities and other partners to deliver initiatives to improve the city centre.
5. Grants and Funding: Grant funding and other funding opportunities, including contributions to projects like the High Streets Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lincoln BIG is a Business Improvement District (BID) delivering a portfolio of city centre management services to levy-paying businesses in Lincoln city centre. Its core offer covers four pillars: safety and security (NBCC-accredited Security Group, DISC intelligence app, City Centre Wardens, AED and Trauma Kit network, Ask for Angela scheme, Pubwatch, Hotel Watch); transport benefits (Bus Deals, Parking Deals, Sightseeing Tour Bus, Park and Ride); marketing and events (social media reaching 20,000+ people, street banner advertising, GEM Awards, signature events such as 1940s Weekend and Dino City, public art trails, Hey Lincoln podcast, IN Lincoln campaign); and business support (City Performance Indicator data, Collaboration 4 Growth business advice, voluntary membership tiers).

Product overview

Lincoln BIG is a Business Improvement District (BID) organization for Lincoln city centre, established in 2005, providing a portfolio of services to levy-paying businesses. The offering is not a unified software product but a collection of service programmes: Bus Deals and Parking Deals (discounted commuter passes); Security Group with DISC intelligence access and AED provision; City Centre Wardens for safety and maintenance; Sightseeing Tour Bus and Park & Ride for visitor transportation; Marketing Support including social media and advertising; City Performance Indicator reporting; GEM Awards for customer service recognition; Public Art Trails and Events Programme (Dino City, 1940's Weekend, Fashion Shows); Ask for Angela safety scheme; and business support projects like IN Lincoln, Hey Lincoln Podcast, and former Collaboration 4 Growth programme. These services work together to enhance the city centre experience, support levy-paying businesses, and drive footfall to Lincoln.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lincoln BIG Bus Deals Discounted monthly bus pass scheme for employees of Lincoln BIG levy-paying businesses, with an Inner Pass (£54.45/month) valid within Lincoln City boundary and an Outer Pass (£80.90/month) valid on Lincolnshire Stagecoach services; processed through Lincoln BIG's online ordering system on a monthly billing cycle with a £10 one-off set-up fee.
• Lincoln BIG Parking Deals Discounted car parking scheme for employees of levy-paying businesses (and University of Lincoln students), offering full-time passes (£80.80/month), part-time passes (from £23.69/month), Central Street Car Park passes (£113.85/month via ANPR), and scratch card books at £34.20 for 7 cards, valid across Langworth Gate, Broadgate, King Street, Chaplin Street and Central Street car parks.
• Lincoln BIG Security Group NBCC-accredited business crime reduction partnership providing levy payers with Security Group membership, access to the DISC intelligence app (offender activities, security alerts, offender galleries), banning notices, radio schemes, seasonal initiatives, AED and Public Access Trauma Kit access, and accreditation within the 40+ venue Licensing SAVI scheme.
• City Centre Wardens Service Uniformed City Centre Wardens providing a visible safety presence and acting as ambassadors and welcome hosts across the BID area. They complete minor maintenance tasks, undertake first aid and AED response, and serve as a key reporting and incident response layer for levy paying businesses.
• Lincoln Sightseeing Tour Bus Hop-on, hop-off open-top sightseeing tour bus with live commentary covering Lincoln's 2,000-year history, featuring 8 stops including Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, and the International Bomber Command Centre. Adult tickets £15, concessions and 16-19 year-olds £10, children free with a paying adult; available for private hire. VisitEngland Gold Accolade winner.
• Park and Ride Service Park and Ride service operating from Waitrose (Searby Road) into Lincoln city centre in partnership with Stagecoach East Midlands, with free parking from 7am to 7pm and an adult return bus fare of £3.50, running up to every 15 minutes; concessionary pass holders travel free after 9:30am.
• Marketing Support Service Marketing support package for levy-paying members including social media promotion across Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram (reaching 20,000+ people), discounted advertising in the Little Book of Small Businesses magazine, street banner advertising at 7 city centre locations, and inclusion in PR and event promotion.
• City Performance Indicator (CPI) Monthly city performance reporting service providing levy members with footfall and consumer spend data and insights to support business planning, marketing and operational decision-making for city centre locations.
• GEM Awards Annual awards programme recognising customer service excellence across 10 categories (Accommodation, Bar/Pub/Club, Café, Restaurant, Independent Retail, National Retail, Experience & Entertainment, Health/Wellness/Beauty, Professional Services, Independent Restaurant), judged by independent mystery shopping company Proinsight.
• Lincoln BIG Signature Events Programme Annual programme of city centre events including Dino City (March-April), 1940's Weekend (July, attracting 11,000+ visitors), BIG City Fashion Show (November), Lincoln Laughs Comedy Festival, The BIG Spook, and Military vs Cancer Summer Charity Ball, organised to drive footfall and engagement in Lincoln city centre.
• Collaboration 4 Growth ERDF-funded business support project (delivered with Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce) providing up to 12 hours of free business advice and workshops (Social Media, PR, Marketing, Leadership), plus a grant scheme offering £2,000-£15,000 in revenue or capital grants covering 60% of project cost for SMEs in Lincoln, North Kesteven and West Lindsey.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85.6% ballot approval rate with 41.96% turnout representing £20,208,300 rateable value
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Stagecoach East MidlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStagecoach East Midlands is the primary transportation partner for the Lincoln BIG Bus Deal scheme, providing discounted bus passes for employees of levy-paying businesses. The partnership also includes the Sightseeing Tour Bus operation and Park and Ride services, with Stagecoach operating the bus network throughout Lincoln city centre and surrounding areas including North Hykeham, Waddington, Branston, Washingborough, Heighington, Nettleham and Skellingthorpe.
• City of Lincoln CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary local government partner operating under baseline and operating agreements. The council works with Lincoln BIG on parking management (providing car park access), evening economy initiatives, and is represented on the Board of Directors. Also the awarding body for the Social Responsibility Charter.
• Lincolnshire Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder member of Lincoln BIG and key strategic partner. Previously partnered on the Collaboration 4 Growth project funded by European Regional Development Fund, providing up to 12 hours of free business support to SME businesses.
• WaitrosesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPark and Ride partner operating from Searby Road, Lincoln. Waitrose provides FREE parking from 7am to 7pm for cars and motorcycles for Park and Ride users, with the bus stop located adjacent to KFC opposite the Waitrose car park.
• Lincolnshire PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey safety and security partner. Lincoln BIG partnered with Lincolnshire Police in February 2024 to create a Crime Liaison Officer role, and works together on Pubwatch, Hotel Watch, Security Group, and Ask for Angela schemes.
• National Business Crime Centre (NBCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln BIG Security Group is NBCC accredited, providing access to national and regional news from other Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs), the NBCC Safe Spaces Scheme (Op Portum), and nationally recognized security standards and intelligence sharing.
• Visit LincolnsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDestination marketing organization for Lincoln. Lincoln BIG works with Visit Lincoln to promote the city as a tourism destination and is announced as a key partner in the relaunch of Visit Lincoln.
• Lincoln Business ClubsupportingOthersListed as a partner/sponsor for the Lincoln IMP Trail 2021 sculpture trail event, supporting the public art initiative that raised £125,000 for St Barnabas hospice.
• Street PastorssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian-based charitable organization operating in Lincoln city centre on Saturday nights and last Friday of every month between 10:30pm and 3:30am. Street Pastors provide a caring presence, distribute water, flip-flops, space blankets and tissues, and are First Aid trained with direct contact to CCTV control room.
• BCRP (Business Crime Reduction Partnership)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln BIG holds BCRP Accreditation, demonstrating commitment to business crime reduction through partnership working and intelligence sharing with other BCRPs across the region and nationally.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Liverpool BID Company: Liverpool city centre BID delivering events, marketing, business support, and city centre management funded by levy. Closely comparable operational model with strong public-private partnership orientation and similar member service breadth.
• New West End Company: BID covering London's Bond Street, Oxford Street, and Regent Street retail corridors. Runs a directly comparable BID model with levy funding, public realm investment, marketing campaigns, and security services targeting the same type of levy-paying retailers and hospitality businesses.
• Sheffield BID: Sheffield city centre BID offering safety, marketing, events, and city intelligence under a levy-funded BID structure. Comparable in scale to Lincoln BIG with similar focus on city centre activation and small-to-mid business engagement.
• Destination Coventry BID: Coventry city centre BID combining destination marketing, city centre management, and BID levy-funded services including events, safety, and marketing support. Operates a very similar mid-sized UK city centre model to Lincoln BIG.
• LeedsBID: Leeds city centre BID providing safety, marketing, events, and city enhancement services funded by levy on rateable businesses. Directly comparable service mix including city warden schemes, BID-funded events, and business support programmes.
• CityCo (Manchester BID): Manchester's city centre BID delivering events, security (CityCo Rangers), marketing campaigns, and member services under a comparable levy-funded model. Represents one of the most active UK BIDs outside London and operates a near-identical service portfolio.
• Heart of London Business Alliance: One of the UK's largest and oldest Business Improvement Districts operating in the Piccadilly, Leicester Square, and Haymarket areas of London's West End. Operates an analogous BID levy model delivering safety, street management, events, and marketing services to levy-paying businesses in a defined city centre geography.

Others

• BID Foundation: UK industry body representing and supporting BIDs nationally. Provides training, accreditation, and best practice frameworks used by Lincoln BIG; not a competitor but a relevant industry ecosystem organisation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LincolnBIG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lincolnbig
• Instagraminstagram.com/lincoln.big/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lincoln Big