Julie Grail. The Experience of Business Improvement Districts in the UK

City Centres & Business DistrictsThe Experience of Business Improvement Districts in the UK

Dr Julie GrailChief Executive, British BIDs

www.britishbids.info

Background to Place Management

• Culture of partnership in the UK since late 1980s

• Track record of delivery but pressures on the ‘traditional’ service delivery and uncertain funding

• Evolution to sustainable funding model in 2004 - BIDs


Introduction of BIDs• Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are business-led organisations focused on managing and enhancing commercial areas

• In their seventh year of operation in the UK

• Now 124 BIDs in the UK


Setting up a BID• A BID can only be formed following consultation and a ballot in which businesses vote on a business plan for the area

• All businesses eligible to pay the levy are balloted

• Dual key vote – numbers and value majorities

• Once established the levy is mandatorywww.britishbids.info

Safeguards• The business plan becomes legally binding and becomes the framework within which the BID will operate

• An Operating Agreement for levy collection administration • Baseline agreements to ensure that any services the BID provides are truly additional


Funding of BIDs• A BID is funded through a BID levy, which is a small percentage of a businesses’ rateable value (the occupier of premises in the UK)

• The majority of BIDs charge 1% of rateable value (relatively small sums per business)

• Additional income levered in from other sources


Governance & Management• Generally run as not-for-profit companies

• Governed by a board of directors made up of BID levy payers representing the BID area

• Management teams vary in size but will generally encompass management and administration, operations and project delivery, and communications and marketing


Scale of BIDs in the UK• The average size of a BID is 300-400 businesses• Smallest has 17 • Largest has 2,700

• Income is typically £200,000-£600,000 pa• Smallest £40,000 pa• Largest £2.4 million pa


Current Scale of the Industry • Number of businesses in BIDs in the UK c. 60,000

• Total annual levy income in BID areas in the UK c. £69m

• Total annual investment in BID areas in the UK c. £168m pa.


Hierarchy of BID Activity


Clean & Green

Safe & Secure

Marketing & Promotion

Collective Action

Innovation

Scope of BIDs – Case Studies• Camden Town Unlimited – Pop-up shops

• InMidtown – Zero to Landfill

• New West End Company – Smash & Grab


New West End CompanySmash & Grab - Multi-agency Crime Intelligence Partnership


New West End CompanySmash & Grab - Multi-agency Crime Reduction


Facts & Figures

Between 2005 and 2008, 224 smash & grab raidsCost to retailers £4m

Police arrests but minimal judicial redress2009 high level summit to promote dialogue

Multi-agency approach established61% reduction in incidents

61 arrests and 46 convictionsAverage sentences increased

Positive reaction from press and retailers

Camden Town UnlimitedPop-up Shops - Entrepreneurial Place-making


Camden Town UnlimitedPop-up Shops – Entrepreneurial Place-making


Facts & Figures

In 2009, 1 of top 3 vacancy rates in LondonApproached the agents of 17 vacant units

Rent free 3 month leases secured on 3 unitsIdentity created with Conran Design Group

23 unique exhibitions/retail experiences40 new introductions/collaborations with local businesses

Generated significant media and industry attention

InmidtownZero Waste to Landfill – Waste Management & Carbon Saving


InmidtownZero Waste to Landfill – Waste Management & Carbon Saving


Facts & Figures

Started in 2008 with a free business recycling schemeCollections managed through one electric vehicle

In 2010 started zero waste to landfill initiativeTo reduce a business’ carbon footprint by 10% in 5 years

Joined-up waste service for businessesIn first three months, 210 businesses

Estimated combined business saving of £350,00070 tonnes of material recycled each month90% of office waste collected free of charge

The Future of BIDs• BIDs have money and mandate

• Real impact and innovation evidenced

Now enhancing through -

• Operating efficiencies

• Bold leadership


For more information:[email protected]

For the Nationwide BID Survey 2011:www.britishbids.info


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.britishbids.info/

Date post:	19-Jan-2015
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