New Business Liaison Officer

Oddny Edwards, Town Centre BID’s recently appointed Business Liaison Officer is full of enthusiasm for Bournemouth’s diverse shops and restaurants and explains how she plans to work with local businesses to project a more positive image of its High Street

Oddny Edwards, the new Business Liaison Officer for Bournemouth’s Town Centre BID, came to the UK from her native Iceland for 3 months in 2002. She’s been here ever since! For the first few years she worked for some of the biggest retailers on the High Street and for the last 6 years, she has been a small business owner herself, running a company that brings traditional Nordic experiences to the UK.

Oddny is full of enthusiasm for her new BID role and the opportunities it brings to really support Bournemouth’s diverse business community. She explains:

“Having had extensive experience of working for big corporate names as well as being a small business owner myself, I can see the whole picture.  I’m really passionate about Bournemouth – it has so much to offer and the BID does such great work, generating more visitors to the town centre. I want to work with Bournemouth’s levy payers to focus on some good news and put forward a really positive view of our High Street.”

Oddny’s immediate plans are to really get to know the local companies, build stronger links between them and the BID, assisting businesses to gain maximum benefit from the organisation, and help create a supportive, close knit business community.

The Bournemouth Town Centre BID is a not-for-profit company with a board of directors made up of representatives of the levy paying businesses. Their overall aim is to generate more visitors to, and more business for, the town. They have introduced and supported many of the town’s festivals and events including the Christmas attractions and the Town Centre Rangers whose presence makes Bournemouth feel safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

Paul Kinvig, Bournemouth BID Chief Operating Officer, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Oddny on board. She will be a brilliant addition to the BID team, bringing creative ideas, great communication skills, business experience, and very importantly, enthusiasm and positivity. These are all attributes that she will need in her new role. We are sure Oddny will make a major contribution to the next exciting chapter in the BID story.”