THE organisation that manages High Wycombe town centre has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards.

The High Wycombe Business Improvement District Company has been nominated in the BID of the year and developing the night-time economy categories.

The Association of Town and City Management awards celebrates the work of town centre managers, BIDs, town teams and place-making partnerships.

Chair of the BID Board, Daniel Tomkinson, said: “The inclusion of HWBIDCo on the shortlist in two categories will provide further reassurance to businesses that we are serious about what we do and are well thought of within the industry.  

"We have a good team with a wealth of experience.

“Wycombe needs to make the most of our independence and ability to deliver challenging projects over the next few years to enable it to continue to grow stronger and more vibrant.”

Being included on the five-town BID of the year shortlist has been hailed a ‘significant achievement’ by the Wycombe BID.

It has only been in existence 18 months yet the Wycombe BIDCo is taking on Hammersmith and Fulham, Lincoln and Falkirk – which are all in their second four year term.

Making up the shortlist is the Norwich BID, which is also in its infancy.

In the night-time economy category, the judges were looking for vibrant and diverse offerings from BIDs that understood their towns and took a proactive approach to managing them.

Wycombe retained its Purple Flag for offering a safe and varied night out.

Oliver O’Dell, Chief Executive of HWBIDCo, said: “To be shortlisted is very humbling as we are still a young organisation with big aspirations.

“The early years are often about establishing the organisation and gaining trust within the business community.

“It has always been important for us to benchmark ourselves against more established BIDs, and the industry nationally, and this proves we are on the right track.

“With regard to the night-time economy nomination, we are working hard to ensure our Purple Flag accreditation can influence decision-making at a strategic level.

“This category is now less about operational excellence and more about the physicality of town centres and the offer throughout the evening.

"This is where our focus lies and that is reflected in our inclusion on the shortlist.”

The awards will be handed out on June 26 in Dundee.