
What is a BID?
A BID (Business Improvement District) is a business-led, not-for-profit organisation formed to improve a defined commercial area. Funded by businesses, for the benefit of those businesses, a BID enables a coordinated investment into the area and delivers projects and services which are in addition to those already provided by the Council.
A BID is a not-for-profit company, which can only be formed following consultation and a ballot in which businesses vote on a BID proposal. Following a successful ballot, a BID is created for a maximum 5-year term and operates within a legislative framework. During the term, all businesses defined within the business plan will be required to pay the mandatory BID levy, irrespective of whether they cast a vote in the ballot.
BIDs were first established in Canada and the US, and now exist across the world. There are over 320 BIDs in the UK, including Winchester, Southampton, Bath and Bournemouth.







