Taking Up the Baton – Colne BID’s New Manager

With solid foundations already in place and plenty of exciting initiatives making waves, Vena Reid has officially taken up the baton as Colne’s new BID Manager, stepping into the role after Aneesa McGladdery’s time at the helm. We caught up with Vena to chat all things Colne — from high street highlights to what’s next for the town’s business community.

Vena’s appointment comes at a pivotal time, and she steps into the role with a clear vision to build on that momentum, bringing a fresh energy, experience, and a commitment to continuing the legacy of collaboration, growth and innovation.

“I have seen the determination of brilliant local business owners to ensure that Colne thrives as a place where people come for their shopping, services, entertainment and leisure.” Says Vena, “The BID provides the means for businesses of all sizes to act collectively, defining us as a visitor destination.

“I have also seen first-hand how the BID is enhancing the social vitality of the town – I’m a firm believer in the power of people working together, and the impact so far is testament to this – I am just so looking forward to getting stuck in and building a strong relationship with all the businesses to realise both their own goals and those of the town.

“I’m a firm believer in the power of people working together to reduce spending, and as part of this, I’m keen to work collaboratively with local organisations and groups around Colne—such as Colne Town Council—to build strong relationships, support their events, and coordinate efforts. I’ll continue to project manage directly and avoid hiring external services unnecessarily, helping to cut costs while strengthening community ties.”

Vena’s former role as a corporate governance manager for the NHS involved events and budget management, and she aims to identify areas where revenue can be increased and explore more innovative ways to boost income. A skill set that aligns perfectly with Colne BID’s track record so far.

“I’m a firm believer in the power of people working together”

Over the past five years, Colne BID has raised approximately £475,000. These funds have been reinvested into the town through events, improvements and support schemes that have made a visible difference. More than 20 major events have been delivered or supported, including the popular food and light festivals, the Soapbox Challenge and several local market celebrations.

Thirty-five businesses have benefited from the £500 ‘Fresh Lick of Paint’ grant, helping them improve their shopfronts and brighten up the town centre. Meanwhile, initiatives such as Shopwatch, enhanced CCTV, and youth engagement programmes have played a crucial role in strengthening both the business environment and community spirit.

“I want to work with levy-payers individually to help them make the most of the resources that their membership brings. There are so many exciting and innovative things we can achieve by working together.”

For all you wannabe runners – now’s the time to squeeze into that red suit, limber up those turkey legs, and start training… preferably before the Christmas pudding kicks in, as Vena has something new up her sleeve for Christmas this year.

“The Christmas lights switch-on is always highly popular.” Says Vena. “This year, we’ll be combining it with a Santa Run to extend the festivities, maximise the benefits of the increased foot traffic, attract more visitors, and encourage greater spending in the town.”

It’s undoubtedly clear that Vena’s ambitions for the new role are based on a will to see the town we all love continue to thrive and realise its full potential as a destination for all ages to come and enjoy independent shops, bars and entertainment:

“Colne is a town with a big heart and bags of great things going on – I just want to help all our businesses to showcase this and support them in whatever they need along the way. We’re going to do great things together!”

ColneLife Sep/Oct/Nov 25