Business & Enterprise

Business Improvement Districts

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are clearly defined commercial areas in which extra improvement and management are funded by contributions made by the businesses operating within it. Although the BID is funded primarily through the levy, it can also draw on other public and private income streams funding for specific schemes and projects.

  • An organisation seeking to create a BID will produce a Proposal document for approval by the Council and request for a ballot to be undertaken. The ballot is a formal process governed by BID regulations and ratepayers can vote in a BID ballot if they are going to be liable for BID levy according to the BID levy rules in the Proposal document. If the outcome of the ballot is successful with sufficient “yes” votes. The BID arrangements are put in place as agreed with the Council and all businesses are required to pay the BID levy in accordance with the BID levy rules regardless of how they themselves voted in the ballot. The council collects the BID levy which is placed into a ring-fenced BID Revenue Account and passed to the BID to spend on projects and services in the BID area as identified in their Proposal and Business Plan. Past and future spending of the BID levy income is explained in a leaflet that accompanies the BID levy bills issued by the Council.

    BID levy rules vary from BID to BID. Some BIDs allow a reduction in BID levy where a ratepayer is in receipt of mandatory charitable relief from business rates. Some BIDs allow a reduction of BID levy to businesses in educational type premises, others do not. Some BIDs only involve certain sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure. Some BIDs have a maximum BID levy per year where the BID Levy is capped so that businesses with high rateable value premises are not paying a disproportionate amount. The rules cannot be varied during the term of the BID (usually 5 years) without an alteration ballot. At the end of the term a BID will cease to exist unless there has been a successful renewal ballot.

    Where there is no ratepayer, such as when listed buildings are empty, a BID levy cannot be charged. However, where an Property Owner (BRS) BID exists, that Property Owner levy is payable on properties whether empty or not, subject to the BID Levy rules for that Property Owner (BRS) BID. A Property Owner (BRS) BID cannot be established or set up unless there is a ratepayer BID also established or set up.

  • BIDs can deliver a better environment for Westminster’s commercial centres and help boost the local economy by supporting business communities. The funding is used to implement the projects prioritised by the business community in the BID business plan. This may include initiatives like masterplanning, marketing, promotion and events, town centre management, physical improvements to the town centre and additional street cleaning, waste collection and recycling.

    While BIDs are business-led, they benefit those working, living and visiting the area. They make Westminster cleaner and safer, reduce traffic, support local people into employment and develop relationships with local residents groups (including having seats on neighbourhood forums).

  • The Westminster Business Unit are able to provide information, advice and support about BIDs, including Business Rates information, details of current service provision, sharing of best practice and experience.

    The Greater London Authority (GLA) are the main source of support for BIDs. Read details of their work programme aimed at supporting existing and future London BIDs.

    For more information, please email businessunit@westminster.gov.uk. For the enabling legislation, please see the Local Government Act 2003.

  • Marble Arch BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot:  5 March 2021

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    DECLARATION OF RESULT

    Greg Ward, for the Ballot Holder of the Marble Arch BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal.

     

    The declaration has confirmed that 95% of the (107) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal. The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal £42,578,500.

     

    This means that the Marble Arch Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

     

    The new BID term will run from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2026.
    To view the full business plan click here. To view the full declaration of result click here.
    Chief Executive – Kay Buxton – kaybuxton@marble-arch.london
    Telephone: 020 3145 1210
    Website: https://marble-arch.london/

     

  • New West End Company BID Ballot
    Date of Ballot: Thursday 18 March 2021
    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    In October 2020 the City Council received a draft Business Improvement District (BID) Renewal and Alteration Proposal from The New West End Company (NWEC) for both their Occupier and Property Owner BIDs.

    The ballot for the renewal and alternation of the existing NWEC BID proposal is currently taking place, the results of which will be announced on 18 March 2021. If the BID Ballot is successful, the new BID term will run from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2026.
    To read the full business plan click here.

    NWEC has a strong collaborative relationship with the City Council. Notable achievements over the last three years include:

    ·       Securing ‘International Centre’ policy status for the district in the West End
    ·       50% fewer buses on Oxford Street & Regent Street
    ·       £150m Oxford Street improvement plan confirmed in 2019 following a complex cross party working and advocacy campaign
    ·       £10m Bond Street Scheme completed
    ·       £2m extra funding raised for the £12m transformation of Hanover Square
    ·       £18m East Mayfair public realm enhancement programme secured with partners
    ·       £10m additional non-BID levy raised and re-invested into the area
    ·       £20m in local business rates relief fund returned in 2018 to West End businesses through our advocacy and facilitated through Westminster City Council
    ·       Implemented a pilot West End freight and waste consolidation service which reduced number of waste vehicles in East Mayfair by 17.5%
    ·       £60m district reputation media coverage reaching 250m people locally & globally

    It is anticipated that NWEC will continue to play an active part in the joint working arrangements Westminster has set up for BIDs to liaise with City Council members and officers, to enable new ideas, plans and initiatives of mutual concern to be discussed prior to public launch. Officers will also continue to encourage NWEC as with all BIDs to work collaboratively with each other on joint initiatives so as to avoid duplication of resources and contact with the City Council.
    Chief Executive: Jace Tyrell – nicola.gibson@newwestend.com
    Telephone: 020 7462 0680
    Website: https://www.newwestend.com/

  • Victoria Westminster BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot: Wednesday 5 September 2018

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    DECLARATION OF RESULT

    Barbara Brownlee, for the Ballot Holder of the Victoria Westminster BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal as follows:

    The total number of votes cast in the ballot excluding any votes given on ballot papers rejected was 73
    The declaration has confirmed that 83.56% of the (61) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal. The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal as £119,672,500 (97.74%)

    This means that the Victoria Westminster Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

    The BID term runs from 1 October 2018 – 31 March 2023.
    The full Ballot Declaration can be read here. To read the full business plan click here.

    Chief Executive: Ruth Duston – nicki@victoriawestminsterbid.co.uk
    Telephone: (44) 020 3004 0786
  • The North bank BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot: Thursday 22 February 2018

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
    DECLARATION OF RESULT

    Barbara Brownlee, for the Ballot Holder of The North bank BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal as follows:

    The declaration has confirmed that 93.91% of the (216) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal. The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal as £180,885,000 (97.65%)

    This means that the North bank Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

    The Northbank BID was formed in 2013. The current BID term runs from 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2023.

    To view the full Ballot Declaration click here. To view the full business plan please click here.
    Chief Executive Ruth Duston – nicki@thenorthbank.london

    Telephone: 0203 697 9270
    Website: https://www.thenorthbank.london/

  • Victoria Westminster BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot : Wednesday 5 September 2018

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
    DECLARATION OF RESULT

     

    Barbara Brownlee, for the Ballot Holder of the Victoria Westminster BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal as follows:

    The total number of votes cast in the ballot excluding any votes given on ballot papers rejected was 73

    The declaration has confirmed that 83.56% of the (61) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal

    The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal as £119,672,500 (97.74%)

     

    This means that the Victoria Westminster Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

     

    Councillor David Harvey, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Education and Community, Westminster City Council commented,

    “BIDs are a proven partner to the Council and I am thrilled that this successful ballot result will see the 60th BID established in the capital. BIDs demonstrate the power of collaboration, adding enormous value to the work we are doing to tackle economic and social issues from the changing face of retail to the challenge of rough sleeping. I look forward to continuing our partnership work with this new BID to improve the lives of people who live, work and play in our borough.”

     

    The full ballot declaration can be read here.

  • The Northbank BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot: Thursday 22 February 2018

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)
    DECLARATION OF RESULT

     

    Barbara Brownlee, for the Ballot Holder of The Northbank BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal as follows:

     

    The total number of votes cast in the ballot excluding any votes given on ballot papers rejected was 230

     

    The declaration has confirmed that 93.91% of the (216) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal

     

    The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal as £180,885,000 (97.65%)

     

    This means that the Northbank Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

     

    The full ballot declaration can be read here.

  • Baker Street Quarter Partnership BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot: Thursday 24 November 2017

    DECLARATION OF RESULT
    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    Siobhan Coldwell, for the Ballot Holder of the Baker Street Quarter Partnership BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal.

    The declaration has confirmed that 94.97% of the (151) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal

    The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal as £120,034,500 (95.54%). This means that the Baker Street Quarter Partnership Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

    The BID term will run from 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2023
    To view the full Ballot Declaration click here. To view the full business plan click here.
    Chief Executive: Penny Alexander – penny@bakerstreetq.co.uk
    Telephone: 020 3056 5910
    Website: https://www.bakerstreetq.co.uk/

  • New West End Company BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot: Thursday 14 December 2017

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    DECLARATION OF RESULT

     

    Stuart Love, for the Ballot Holder of the New West End Company BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal.

     

    The total number of votes cast in the ballot excluding any votes given on ballot papers rejected was 209

     

    The declaration has confirmed that 92.34% of the (193) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal

     

    The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal as £451,733,500 (95.98%)

     

    This means that the New West End Company Business Improvement District Renewal proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

     

    A copy of full details of the New West End Company Declaration of Result can be found here.

  • Baker Street Quarter Partnership BID Ballot

    DECLARATION OF RESULT

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

     

    Siobhan Coldwell, for the Ballot Holder of the Baker Street Quarter Partnership BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal.

     

    The total number of votes cast in the ballot excluding any votes given on ballot papers rejected was 159

     

    The declaration has confirmed that 94.97% of the (151) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal

     

    The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal as £120,034,500 (95.54%)

     

    This means that the Baker Street Quarter Partnership Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

     

    Councillor Robert Davis, MBE DL, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage, Westminster City Council commented,

    “Since 2013 the Baker Street Quarter Partnership has been a truly first-class ambassador for the businesses of Marylebone. Their efforts have resulted in huge investment in the area and they have been a driving force behind the Baker Street Two Way.

    Their commitment to shaping Marylebone as a place both for people and business has resulted in a new sense of vibrancy and community, with food markets and guide tours now a regular occurrence.

    I am therefore delighted that the future of the partnership is now secure for a further five years. Under the leadership of Penny and Simon I am confident that the partnership will continue to tackle the big issues facing the area such as air quality while harnessing the opportunities that Crossrail and the transformation of Oxford Street will bring to Marylebone.”

     

    The full ballot declaration can be read here.

     

  • Paddington Now BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot : Thursday 10th November 2017

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    DECLARATION OF RESULT

    Siobhan Coldwell, for the Ballot Holder of the Paddington Now BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal.

    The declaration has confirmed that 91.76% of the (167) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal. The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal £43,018,250 (96.46%).

    This means that the Paddington Now Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

    Since 2005 PaddingtonNow BID has been delivering vital projects and services  such as improving the quality of streets, reducing traffic, saving businesses money, managing back anti-social behaviour, tackling pollution, upgrading parks and gardens, changing perceptions of the area, investing in green infrastructure; future-proofing Paddington for future growth.

    PaddingtonNow BID is in it’s fourth term and will run from 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2023.

    To view the full business plan click here.

    Chief Executive: Kay Buxton – kay_buxton@thisispaddington.com
    Telephone: 020 3145 1212
    Website: https://www.paddingtonnow.co.uk/

     

  • Marble Arch BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot: Thursday 10th November 2017

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    DECLARATION OF RESULT

    In September 2020 the City Council received a draft Business Improvement   District (BID) Renewal & Alteration Proposal from Marble Arch London BID. The proposal seeks a second term to last until March 2026.

     

    The ballot for the renewal and alternation of the existing Marble Arch BID proposal is currently taking place, the results of which will be announced on 18 March 2021. If the BID Ballot is successful, the new BID term will run from 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2026.

     

    To view the full business plan click here.
    Chief Executive – Kay Buxtonkaybuxton@marble-arch.london
    Telephone: 020 3145 1210
    Website: https://marble-arch.london/

     

  • PaddingtonNow BID Ballot

    Date of Ballot : Thursday 9 November 2017

    WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

    DECLARATION OF RESULT

    Siobhan Coldwell, for the Ballot Holder of the PaddingtonNow BID area has declared the official result on the BID area renewal proposal.

    The total number of votes cast in the ballot excluding any votes given on ballot papers rejected was 182

     

    The declaration has confirmed that 91.76% of the (167) total number of votes cast were in favour of the proposal

     

    The declaration has confirmed that the aggregate rateable value of each property in respect of which persons voting in the ballot have voted in favour of the proposal £43,018,250 (96.46%)

     

    This means that the PaddingtonNow Business Improvement District proposal is approved as a majority of the business ratepayers in the BID area who voted in the ballot, both by aggregate rateable value and number voting, voted in favour of the proposal.

     

    Councillor Robert Davis, MBE DL, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage, Westminster City Council said,

    “Over the last decade Paddington has been transformed into a leading business destination with several major national and international companies choosing to locate to the area. With an array of hotels and restaurants and improvements to the public realm, including the floating garden, Paddington is now a really attractive destination for businesses, workers, residents and visitors.

    This transformation has been led by the hard work of PaddingtonNow which has corralled the various interests of stakeholders integral to Paddington’s future success and given them a unified voice, focused on achieving lasting investment and opportunities for a place of significant importance to Westminster. With Paddington set to welcome Crossrail in 2018 I am incredibly excited to see what lies in store for Paddington over the next five years and the City Council looks forward to working with PaddingtonNow to fully realise the potential of the area.”

     

Areas of Westminster covered by BIDs

BIDs are taking an increasing role in place leadership, stewardship and driving local economic growth. There are eight occupier BIDs currently operating in Westminster (note that two separate BIDs of Piccadilly and St James’s and Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are hosted under the single brand of Heart of London Business Alliance). Please follow the links below to find out more about each BID and if your business is located in a BID area. You can also see the areas on our map here

Contact

Contact the Westminster Business Unit to get information and advice on affordable workspace, business support, employment and training, business rates, licensing, and more.

The easiest way to get in contact with us is via our web form, which can be found here.

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