Spotlight Solihull – Melanie Palmer

My role as CEO for Solihull BID enables me to not only to focus on the two square miles of success that is Solihull but also the wider region. I have recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM). ATCM is Europe’s largest membership organisation dedicated to helping town and city centres realise their natural roles both as prosperous locations for business and investment, and as focal points for vibrant, inclusive communities.

In addition to my new role with the ATCM, I also played a part with the West Midlands Mayor Andy Street’s Business Advisory Board and created and Chair `BID Central`, a forum for Business Improvement District leaders from across the region to exchange ideas and discuss best practice.

The network of knowledge partner organisations share enables me to see the bigger picture, absorb innovative ideas and generally coalesce with key partners with the focused aim of keeping our High Streets and Town Centres alive, I am extremely proud to play a small part in this.

The BID projects are all shaped by the input from the hard-working people who run their businesses within the town centre. The secret to our success is we work for the people, here and now with realistic and tangible targets. We listen to what people want and steer our projects along an informed pathway with knowledge gathered from the feedback from those working here in the heart of Solihull.

My childhood and a major part of my working life have been spent in Solihull, I went to school here, worked here and got married here, it has become my second home and part of my family, I can be rather overprotective of it too. My spare time is divided between my love for all things interior design and my grandchildren, who are my absolute world.

Solihull is always ahead of the curve with its successful economy, growth, housing, schools, and its “jewel in the crown” town centre. The town centre is safe, clean, and buzzing with vibrancy, and the `Solihull welcome` from our retail and hospitality sector is second to none. Our free events make Solihull the ideal destination for all, and our growing independent sector and family offer is backing up an already robust reason to visit.

The unique events that we host throughout the year generate new footfall and added revenue. This year our Sustainability event `A Whales Tale ` will be a first as we will showcase an 18 metre Whale with internal puppet show which aims to raise awareness of single use plastic and its devastating effects on our rivers and oceans.

An array of festivals and events throughout the summer – particularly the Jazz Festival is my favourite time of the year!

Find out more about Solihull BID and their events on their website.