Alexa Volker appointed as Reading’s new BID Manager

5th August 2022

Alexa Volker has been appointed Reading’s new Business Improvement Districts (BID) Manager. Alexa takes over the role having worked as Operations Manager for Reading’s two BIDs for the last four years.

Reading’s two Business Improvement Districts - Reading Central BID and the Abbey Quarter BID - fund and deliver a safer, cleaner and more attractive town centre on behalf of the 600 businesses based here. The BIDs are managed by REDA, Reading's Economy & Destination Agency, as part of its work to make Reading a better place to live, work, do business and visit, but are guided by two committees of presentative businesses.

As BID Manager for both BIDs, Alexa Volker co-ordinates the liaison with the 600 retailers, businesses and organisations in the town centre to deliver the 2019-24 BID business plans. She services the two committees, as well as working with partners to implement the wide range of initiatives. So far this year, this has included installing summer floral displays across the town centre, managing the BIDs two wardens, introducing new planting on the Kennet, supporting town centre events such as Are You Listening Festival, promoting Reading’s many independent businesses for Independents Day, extra street cleaning, supplying drink spiking tester kits for town centre bars and night clubs and ensuring the town centre looked its best for the Jubilee!  

Alexa Volker said: “I am delighted to have taken up the post of BID Manager for Reading. Across our two BID areas, we have an amazing array of businesses and organisations which together create a dynamic and thriving town centre. As BID Manager, my job is to make sure we create the best conditions for these businesses to flourish, whether that is helping them practically with bespoke services such as recycling collections or programming yoga classes for their staff to make Reading town centre a great place to come and work. Over the next two years, we will be focusing on developing a new wellbeing programme for people working in the town centre, putting on great events and supporting a sustainable Reading with a series of green initiatives.”

Andy Briggs, General Manager, The Oracle Reading and Chair of Reading BID said: “Alexa has worked tirelessly with the retail, hospitality and office businesses in the town centre over the last four years and all that learning means she has hit the ground running.”

Andrew Whiteaker, Partner, Boyes Turner, said; “Alexa is a delight to work with, full of enthusiasm and deserving of the promotion.  She has an endless range of ideas that will make the return to the office experience for employees even more enjoyable, from yoga before work to networking walks and Christmas fun events.”

More information about Reading’s BIDs at www.visit-reading.com/business/bid