Festival Supporters
Birmingham Light Festival would not be possible without the support of the following organisations. A huge thank you to everyone who has made the dream of Birmingham Light Festival a reality in 2025!
Founding Partners
Colmore BID
Colmore Business District is a business improvement district (BID) established in 2009 to project management improvements and services to the business quarter of Birmingham. Over 650 companies, employing around 40,000 people and occupying approximately 5.6 million square feet of office space now form the commercial heart of Birmingham.
Since it was founded, Colmore BID has delivered, influenced, and partnered on a broad range of projects, with the sole aim of making the District an outstanding place. Projects include the Ladywood Community Project, Colmore Food Festival and Nicklin Unseen. The BID also aims to make Colmore a safer and cleaner place for its businesses by providing services such as community teams, on-street cleaning, and an ambassador programme.
Central BID
Central BID is the Business Improvement District (BID) for Birmingham city centre’s retail area and has been supporting its members since 2007, promoting, enhancing and developing the shopping and leisure experience in the city centre.
While the retail and leisure environment is forever changing, Central BID firmly believes in supporting the visitor experience delivered by businesses in the city centre, maintaining Birmingham’s position as the regional capital for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Central BID also supports its member businesses by working with key city centre partner organisations through its City Safe digital radio network and Business Crime Reduction Partnership.
Jewellery Quarter BID
The Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) delivers place making for our exceptionally unique area of Birmingham. We act as the custodian for the historic Jewellery Quarter and the business community that we have here, which is full of individuality that shines, benefiting not only them but the surrounding residents, and visitors to the area.
Southside District
Southside BID represents and supports businesses in Birmingham’s vibrant Southside district, encompassing areas like Chinatown, the Gay Village, and the Theatre District. Their mission is to enhance the area’s appeal for visitors, businesses, and residents through events, initiatives, and improvements in safety, cleanliness, and marketing. The team work closely with local stakeholders to promote Southside as a thriving cultural and commercial hub, offering diverse dining, entertainment, and retail experiences. From organising community events to spearheading development projects, Southside BID ensures the district remains a dynamic and welcoming destination for all.
Westside BID
The Westside Business Improvement District is a dynamic organisation focused on enhancing the vibrancy and appeal of Birmingham's Westside area. Established to support local businesses, the BID works collaboratively with stakeholders to improve the environment, boost the local economy, and enhance the quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors. The BID invests in various projects, including public realm improvements, marketing initiatives, and safety measures. Key areas of focus include cleanliness, security, and fostering a positive business climate. By working closely with both private and public sector partners, Westside BID helps shape the future of Birmingham’s cultural and business landscape, promoting the area as a thriving hub for commerce, leisure, and tourism.
The BID is also proud to organise the Walk of Stars and the Black Sabbath Bench, both of which are internationally recognised visitor attractions that celebrate the region's arts, sports, and culture, ensuring Birmingham remains at the centre stage of global recognition.
Festival Supporters
Mailbox
Mailbox is a mixed-use destination in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, providing a truly unique and vibrant 24/7 experience. Only a 5-minute walk from Birmingham New Street train station, Mailbox boasts unrivalled accessibility to Canalside dining, and some of the city’s best retail and leisure amenities, including award-winning independents and premium brands. Plus, if you're visiting Birmingham and need a place to stay, Mailbox has got you covered. With two hotels, Malmaison and AC Hotel, you can relax and indulge in pure comfort.
United by 2022
Born out of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, United By 2022 was created to continue the Legacy of a groundbreaking Games.
The Games may be gone but we remain the fiercest champions of the West Midlands, supporting volunteers, young people and local communities, to keep that 2022 feeling of pride alive!
Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships
The All England Open Badminton Championships is the world’s oldest and most prestigious badminton tournament. Last year, it celebrated the 125th anniversary of the inaugural competition and, as one of only four Super1000 events on the World Tour, it is guaranteed to draw in the very best players on the planet.
This year’s event is returning to Birmingham for the 31st year at the Utilita Arena between 11-16th March 2025. With 155 matches and more than 50 hours of live badminton to enjoy, the Championships will serve up six days of world class action in front of a proud and passionate international audience.
All The Power. All The Action. All The Glory. All Of Badminton. The All England.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
Network Rail
Network Rail own, operate, maintain and develop the railway infrastructure in England, Scotland and Wales. That’s 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. They manage 20 of the country’s largest stations, while all the rest – over 2,500 – are run by the train operating companies. Their purpose is to connect people and goods with where they need to be, to support our country’s economic prosperity and contribute to the objectives of the UK and Scottish Governments. Birmingham New Street is the 13th busiest railway station in the UK and the busiest outside London, with over 140,000 passengers using it every day. The station is enclosed by a giant atrium, allowing natural light throughout. The redevelopment in 2015 has transformed the experience for passengers, improving links to and through the city centre and is a catalyst for growth for the local area’s economy.