Bury Free Press BID Column December 2025
Boxing Day has traditionally been a day for shopping so for many BID members it will be back to business as usual from today. If you are in town don’t forget that our synthetic skating rink re-opens today at arc Shopping Centre until January 5th. Thanks to the support of Bury St Edmunds Town Council it’s completely free. We hope it will be as popular as the free fairground rides in the Abbey Gardens were in the run up to Christmas – also thanks to support from the town and district councils.
At this time of year, it’s especially important to make sure the town looks festive and welcoming during these shorter daylight hours. Last month’s Our Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event was the start of the additional activities to enhance a visit to the town centre. As well as our lights and Christmas trees, the businesses here really work hard on their own decorations and shop windows, with many competing for the Our Bury St Edmunds shield for the best dressed Christmas window. This year we saw one of the town’s established retailers, Javelin, take the title. The winner is chosen by a public vote and Javelin have participated for many years with past wins and runner-up awards to their name. Congratulations also to the two runners up who are newcomers to the competition – The Flower Hut and Bonded by Hair.
It’s been good to see the town centre remaining vibrant during 2025. Our vacancy rate is around five per cent, which is the lowest I have known it. And new businesses have continued to invest in Bury St Edmunds throughout the year. Adnams has now moved into its new premises at the old Post Office development and Trespass is in Adnams’ former shop. Taco Bell has been recruiting for its new restaurant near Cineworld. Meanwhile we are also expecting annual footfall levels in the town centre to be similar to last year, which in the current climate is good news.
Of course, this year has also seen its challenges and last month’s budget with the increase in the minimum wage, will again bring increased operating costs to our member businesses. The hospitality sector is – I’m sure – bracing itself for changes that will take effect from April including significant changes to business rates. The industry group UK Hospitality has calculated that in real terms the average pub’s business rates will increase 15% after all the changes have been taken into account. The changes to business rates will also impact on other areas of the town centre.
Heading into 2026 the BID and partners will continue to support member businesses in areas such as free training, lobbying politicians, organising events to bring more people into the town and marketing Bury St Edmunds as a visitor destination for shopping, dining and cultural activities.
As we enter the final week of 2025 I wish you a happy and successful New Year.
