Michelle Baker
High Sheriff Award Recipient – Wednesday 22nd January 2025
Michelle Baker manages the Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID (Business Improvement District) company and has completely transformed it since she took on the role 2 years ago. She has brought retail guru Mary Portas and Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies to speak to hundreds of local businesses in Sutton Coldfield town centre, held year round events attracting thousands of shoppers into the town centre.
In addition to the work in Sutton Coldfield, Michelle has developed nine Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) single handedly across the UK, securing over £10 million of new investment for town centres. Michelle is passionate about rejuvenating town centres.
Michelle created and launched a Farmers and Craft Market in Sutton Coldfield town centre on the last Sunday of the month. It consistently has 40 stallholders and attracts hundreds of visitors on what was the quietest day of the week for footfall.
Michelle also organised a superb event for the King’s Coronation, attracting thousands to the town centre.
The Kid’s Carfest Michelle organised last year transformed the town and attracted hundreds of people! The character meet and greets that Michelle plans means that children from all backgrounds can enjoy a free event – from meeting Bluey, Peppa Pig, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Peter Rabbit, The Grinch, Batman, Cocomelon – it’s so brilliant to see the long queues for children to get to meet a character they normally would have to go to a theme park to meet, and it’s all free.
Michelle Baker is an asset to Sutton Coldfield town centre.