A blooming victory!

InExeter, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Exeter has been named as the 'Best Business Improvement District' at the national Britain In Bloom awards.

The accolade follows a recent gold award at the South West in Bloom competition earlier this month.

The prestigious Britain in Bloom competition is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), aimed at enhancing and regenerating local environments through imaginative planting, conservation projects, and addressing urban challenges like litter and vandalism.

Mattie Richardson, Projects Manager at InExeter, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receivenational acclaim for our efforts. Each year, we have built on our knowledge and expertise to deliver impactful planting. Our love for the city drives all our efforts to create a safer, cleaner, and greener environment—a vibrant community where everyone can thrive.”

This award is a testament to the hard work of a dedicated collective. As the Business Improvement District, InExeter serves as the unified voice of local businesses, bringing everyone together and collaborating with a number of committed organisations to achieve remarkable outcomes for the entire city.

InExeter is dedicated to improving the look and feel of Exeter's streetscape by funding and maintaining hanging baskets, planters, public artwork, and lighting installations. Additionally, the BID employs an ‘over and above’ cleansing team to ensure the streets are clean and welcoming.

The judges' tour highlighted the impressive work of InExeter while showcasing individual businesses dedicated to enhancing the city’s greenery, including the Exeter Cathedral, Exeter Phoenix, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Princesshay Shopping Centre and St Sidwell’s Point.

InExeter recognises the key role of Exeter City Council’s parks and green spaces Team in achieving this result. They maintain theGrade II Northernhay Gardens, the oldest public open space in England, originally established in 1612, which was included in the judging route.

Nicola Wheeler, CEO of InExeter, said: “This accolade is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when businesses unite for a common purpose. Over the past decade, InExeter has led efforts to improve the city’s appeal through environmental investments. As we approach the ballot for our third term, we take pride in our journey and look forward to building on this collective success.”