Awards and Accreditations
The Herefordshire County Business Improvement District (HCBID) / Visit Herefordshire has received a number if awards and accreditations.
Visit Herefordshire Local Visitor Economic Partnership
VisitEngland has awarded Herefordshire County BID Ltd, the organisation leading the promotion and development of the visitor economy within Herefordshire, official status as a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). This status follows ‘The de Bois Review’, an independent review of Destination Management Organisations and regional tourism. This status allows Herefordshire access to specialised training and central government funding opportunities. The county already attracts over 7.7 million visitors on an annual basis for short breaks, day trips and business travel. The visitor economy employs over 7,400 people and has an economic impact of over £637m. This accreditation celebrates Herefordshire’s efforts to develop as a destination for heritage, culture, and adventure. Herefordshire boasts outstanding natural beauty and thriving independent businesses.”
Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards Outstanding Awards Trust Mark – Independent Awards Standards Council
We proudly confirm that the Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards earned the Outstanding Trust Mark from the Awards Trust Mark scheme. The Independent Awards Standards Council awarded this mark for our commitment to transparent, fair, and high-quality judging and entry processes. This accreditation recognises that we run a trusted, independently verified programme with clear criteria and consistent judging standards. We celebrate this achievement as proof of our dedication to honouring the best in Herefordshire’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Herefordshire County BID awarded British BIDs Accreditation
Independent auditors externally assess British BIDs Accreditation, the industry-recognised standard, which aligns with the Business Plan Criteria and the National Guiding Principles for a BID.
Accreditation provides an assessment of the following BID components;
- Governance – The selection process and effectiveness of the board, directors and members of the BID.
- Management and Operations – The staffing structure, contracts and appraisals, insurance policies and data protection.
- Financials – The BID financial systems, ensuring professional and transparent procedures.
- Performance Management – The methods used by the BID to review performance.
- Communication and Reporting – The BID’s communications activity, focussing on how processes and activities are reported
Herefordshire County BID awarded BID Foundation Industry Standards Accreditation
The IPM advised all BIDs to publish important information about their management and governance on their website, for levy payers and wider stakeholders to have confidence in their operations.
The Industry Standards have been developed through consultation with members of TBF Council, the British Retail Consortium, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Scottish Towns Partnership and Welsh Government.
To Obtain TBF Industry Standards
To obtain TBF Industry Standards a BID Levy Payers must be able to easily access the following information via the BID’s website:
- The contact details for the CEO/BID Manager, and all other staff funded through the BID.
- The current BID business plan.
- The most recent BID ballot result by percentage for number and Rateable Value, including percentage turnout and total number of eligible voters.
- The names of BID Board Directors and the name of their business and/or the sector they represent.
- Details of the BID’s governance structure – these must cover rules for the election of Directors and Terms of Reference for the Board.
- A mechanism or contact details for levy payers to request minutes of Board meetings.
- An explanation on how levy payers can provide feedback to the BID. For example details of an AGM and/or other regular meetings and/or specified contact route
- A published procurement policy and minutes of all decisions made at Board meetings regarding expenditure of the BID levy.
- A register of all pecuniary and personal interests updated at every Board meeting (to be made available upon request).
- The annual billing leaflet sent to levy payers detailing how funds have been spent and the income received.
- An annual report detailing the BIDs achievements and its value to levy payers including annual accounts.
Herefordshire County BID signed the Armed Forces Covenant
We proudly signed the Armed Forces Covenant, received the Bronze Award, and pledged support to the Armed Forces Community. HCBID pledges to treat those who have served in the armed forces, and their families, fairly. The Covenant supports serving personnel, service leavers, veterans, and their families.
