25 September 2026
A dedicated GO! Southampton volunteer is helping to showcase the positive impact the city’s BID team is having on Southampton, ahead of its ballot in November.
Lenka Fremerova supports the BID through its Welcome Volunteer Programme, which ensures cruise passengers arriving in Southampton receive a warm, informed and friendly introduction to the city.
Having volunteered with GO! Southampton for two years, Lenka, from the Czech Republic, says the programme plays a vital role in helping visitors discover the best of Southampton, stay longer and want to return.
She said: “I have a background in hospitality and tourism, and I was keen to support the city’s BID and highlight everything that Southampton has to offer to the people who visit.
“I moved to the city eight years ago, and it wasn’t immediately obvious why Southampton is such an interesting place. It really does have so much to offer though, whether that’s the rich history, the variety of shops and eateries, the number of free events happening across the year, or the range of parks to explore.
“It’s fantastic that I can now share this information with cruise passengers who may never have visited Southampton before, so they can make the most of their stay and hopefully want to return in the future.”
As well as helping visitors, the Welcome Volunteer Programme has also given Lenka the chance to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds and learn more about the city herself through the conversations she has.
She said: “One of the things I enjoy most is meeting people from all over the world, and the conversations I have mean that I can keep learning more about Southampton too.”
Through GO! Southampton’s partnerships with local businesses, volunteers are also able to direct visitors to places to eat, shop, visit and explore, helping to support those businesses and strengthen the city’s visitor economy.
Lenka added: “GO! Southampton wants to champion local businesses and ensure visitors come into the city and spend their money, so we also direct visitors to those businesses when they arrive.”
And with the BID team preparing for the ballot in November, the committed volunteer hopes levy-paying businesses will vote YES for GO! Southampton to continue for another five-year term.
She said: “The BID has done so much for Southampton already, and the welcoming scheme is so important. There’s so much more that can be done to promote the city, and we won’t be able to do this without the BID team continuing the incredible work they’re doing.”
GO! Southampton’s Welcome Volunteer Programme, which complements the work already in place with other volunteers across the city, has welcomed over 11,700 cruise passengers into the city at Ocean and Horizon terminals since 2024.
Stephen Manion, Executive Director said, “The volunteers have been doing fantastic work, and we are keen to expand the programme to welcome more visitors at Central Station and attractions, including God’s house Tower and the Medieval Merchant’s House over the next five years.”
The BID’s ballot will take place from 30 October – 26 November 2026, giving BID levy payers the opportunity to vote on whether they want GO! Southampton to continue delivering services and improvements for another five‑year term.
Businesses can read the BID’s forward-looking Five-Year Plan and find ballot information here.