BUSINESS IMROVEMENT DISTRICTS - Anyone done one?

[Ashley_Price]

Good morning,

Is anyone in a town that applied for a B.I.D. and if so, what was the overall feeling about it? Did it improve business in the area or was it felt it wasn't worth the trouble?

I have a retailer in my town who is very enthusiastic for us to apply for one, but I have also read some places did the process but then was underwhelmed by what was actually achieved.

(A Business Improvement District is "a business-led partnership which is created through a ballot process to deliver additional services to local businesses. It can be a powerful tool for directly involving local businesses in local activities and allow the business community and local authorities to work together to improve the local trading environment."

How they are paid for is a small percentage being added to the business rates, but that money is for spending locally not an actual increase in the business rate.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I am involved in one at the moment - Total apathy from the businesses.

A lot depends on the area and business make up. More corporates probably mean an easy startup. Lots of small businesses possibly more indifferent.

The % contribution is set by the group driving it and you do need to get the local council involved (ideally funding the study to justify it).

 

[kordan.walker]

Good morning,

Is anyone in a town that applied for a B.I.D. and if so, what was the overall feeling about it? Did it improve business in the area or was it felt it wasn't worth the trouble?

I have a retailer in my town who is very enthusiastic for us to apply for one, but I have also read some places did the process but then was underwhelmed by what was actually achieved.

(A Business Improvement District is "a business-led partnership which is created through a ballot process to deliver additional services to local businesses. It can be a powerful tool for directly involving local businesses in local activities and allow the business community and local authorities to work together to improve the local trading environment."

How they are paid for is a small percentage being added to the business rates, but that money is for spending locally not an actual increase in the business rate.

From what I've seen, the success of a BID seems to depend heavily on the people running it and whether there's a clear plan for the money. Some towns report better marketing, events, and town-centre improvements, while others feel they paid the levy and didn't see enough tangible benefits. I'd be interested to hear from businesses that have been through a full BID cycle and whether they voted to renew it.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Thank you both!

I have found out that Eastbourne had a B.I.D., so I have contacted their Chamber of Commerce to find out how they felt it went.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

had a B.I.D

That probably tells you how the businesses felt about it!

 

[Ashley_Price]

That probably tells you how the businesses felt about it!

Thank you for this reply as it's made me double check.

They got the first one in 2020 and I've just done a bit more research and a new one was agreed in 2024, so I am guessing it went well for them.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Herding cats

I've engaged with a few, and they were mixed.

The problem, as suggested, is the commitment of members - most will jump up and down enthusiastically at the idea, stall at the idea of payment and run for the hills when it comes to actually doing anything.

With good leadership and enthusiastic membership, they can be great - Salisbury was a good example (it was a few years ago, can't comment now)

 

[Ashley_Price]

The problem, as suggested, is the commitment of members - most will jump up and down enthusiastically at the idea, stall at the idea of payment and run for the hills when it comes to actually doing anything.

If/When I tell retailers about this I am definitely expecting a lot of kick-back to the bit about it is paid by a small percentage being added to the Business Rates. Here they are very high and it's one of the top complaints by retailers and traders. To be told they have to pay a little more (even though the extra will be ring-fenced for use in our town) most will be up in arms.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Here they are very high

In relation to what? They are generally based on the same criteria i.e. property value, so, outside of London and other cities, they are probably not high! It is relative.

If you do get a response like that, it is a good result. Consulting several hundred businesses, we only got a handful of responses.

If they are being negative, they are engaging. It is then 'your' job to explain what the BID will do and give example of what good BIDs achieve.

 

[WaveJumper]

Pretty much agree with most of the both, having been involved in several in the past couple of things spring to mind you obviously have to decide on the size of your BID area and what sort of income you expect to achieve. As this could well depend on the level of your success is it going to be a 100k, 500k or 1m a hundred

Again as mentioned above support of the town council is important, do you have a Town Centre Manager who can lead this process. I would also suggest get a list of town centres already running BIDs (as you obviously all ready doing) and speak to those of the same size and mix of business to get a feel for what you are possibly embarking on.

 

[Picture Bute]

I'm in a small town reaching the end of its first (and hopefully last) term. Lots of talk, lots of inaction, helped through its initial vote by the council having 40 of 310 votes. Next to no engagement by the 'board' pre vote meaning an exceptionally low vote turnout. No concrete ideas from day one, other than 'itll be great'. Five years on and 2/3 of a million pounds of other peoples money later we have nothing but being frittered away, we have stickers on bins and an a4 map. If they're trying to move into your town, fight them tooth and nail.