It's set to be a busy and exciting summer for us the Welwyn Garden City Business Improvement District (BID) team, with a packed programme of events to support the town centre alongside preparations for one of the BID's biggest milestones, its second five-year renewal ballot.
Over the last few months, our small has been meeting businesses across the town centre to hear what’s working, what could be better and what they’d like to see over the next five years.
Those conversations, alongside the workshops and surveys, are helping shape our new Business Plan before eligible businesses vote this October on whether to renew the BID for another five-year term.
With local government changing across Hertfordshire, having a strong, independent organisation dedicated solely to Welwyn Garden City's town centre has never been more important.
We provide businesses with a collective voice and helps secure investment in marketing, events, initiatives, and improvements that benefit both businesses and the wider community.
Since launching, the BID we reinvested more than £3 million into the town centre, attracted tens of thousands of visitors through events, and delivered hundreds of marketing campaigns and community initiatives that have strengthened Welwyn Garden City's reputation as a vibrant place to shop, dine and visit.
This summer's events programme combines popular favourites with exciting new experiences designed to bring more people into the town centre and support local businesses.
Saturday, August 8, Dinomania takes over the town centre with three spectacular 50-minute dinosaur shows, roaming dinosaurs, interactive museums, hands-on activities and family photo opportunities.
On the same day, as part of the Welwyn Garden City Railway Station centenary celebrations, visitors can also enjoy the Ride-On Land Train between 11am and 4pm. Rides cost just £1, with all profits donated to a local charity.
Street Food Heroes returns on Thursday, August 13, bringing together an exciting mix of street food traders, music and refreshments from 4pm until 9pm.
Saturday, August 22, families can enjoy free drop-in circus workshops and colourful walkabout entertainment throughout the town centre.
Street Food Superheroes on Saturday, September 12, combining fantastic food with superhero-themed entertainment, walkabout characters, family activities and photo opportunities from 12pm until 7pm.
One event people have been asking about is Screen on the Green.
While always a favourite, the BID has taken the difficult decision not to bring it back this year.
Rising delivery costs, lower attendance and increasing restrictions on film licensing meant the event no longer represented the best use of the BID's budget.
Our businesses and board challenged us to create and invest on a wider programme of activities that will attract visitors over a longer period and deliver greater benefits for our levy paying businesses.
Our town centre events are funded by Welwyn Garden City town centre businesses through the BID levy and delivered by us the BID team as part of its agreed Business Plan.
Additional support has also been provided by partners including Pier Pressure, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, helping enhance this year's programme.
While businesses will decide the BID's future through next year's ballot, the wider community also has an important role to play.
Every visit to the town centre, every purchase from a local business and every interaction with the Wonderful WGC campaign helps support the local economy and the businesses that make the town centre unique.
Find out more about this summer's events at www.wonderfulwgc.co.uk/summer-in-welwyn-garden-city-town-centre and all of our 2026 events www.wonderfulwgc.co.uk/wgc-bid-events.
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