A Business Improvement District (BID) is created by and for businesses. BIDs first came to the UK in 2005. There are now 350 UK BIDs with businesses co-investing over £150 million into mainly in high street locations. 

BIDs succeed because they are focussed, entrepreneurial and cost-efficient – providing a powerful and fast business-led response to address ever-changing economic conditions.
Funded by a small levy contributed by businesses within a defined boundary, BIDs are first created through a ballot amongst participating businesses. Each BID has a maximum term of 5 years before they need to return to the business community to be renewed.

A BID could provide a coordinated way for Swindon businesses to address shared challenges, attract more visitors, improve the local environment, promote the area and support economic growth. The priorities have been shaped by consultation with local businesses.

The proposed BID would cover a defined area of Swindon, with eligible businesses identified within the agreed boundary.

Businesses can check the proposed boundary and whether their premises are included before the ballot on our website. If you are unsure if your property is on the list please email admin@swindonbid.co.uk and ask.

It is expected that the BID will have approximately £500,000 a year to spend on the services and projects it will deliver. This figure is variable and can increase or decrease if businesses move in or out of the BID zone and the rateable value of properties change . 

The levy would be calculated using the rules set out in the BID Proposal. The levy will be charged at 1.5% of the rateable value for all properties with a rateable value of £17,000 or over. If the property is owned/occupied by a Charity or CIC that receives charitable relief on business rates, it will be charged at 0.75%, half the standard BID levy charge. Use our calculator if you are not sure.

Our adaptable methodology serves manufacturing, retail, professional services, and public sector entities.

Swindon Borough Council will send each liable hereditament a ballot paper (one each if they have more than one premises). The ballot will be held over 28-days commencing on 6th November 2026and, once finished, if a majority of those ballots counted are in favour and the rateable value of those voting 'yes' exceeds those that vote 'no', the ballot will have been successful. If the ballot is successful, the BID will commence opn 1st April 2027 and continue for 5-years.

Businesses can choose to abstain if they are unsure or simply do no want to take part. However if the BID is approved through the statutory ballot, eligible businesses within the area would be required to pay the levy in accordance with the agreed arrangements, even if they voted against it or did not vote.

The voter is the person responsible for the business or building and its operations, as nominated by the ratepayer. If the building is empty it would be the property owner/landlord. If it is leased, it would be the senior person responsible for the business with the lease. The person deemed to have the authority to vote can proxy this to whoever they wish within their organisation. The latest date this can be done is 23 November 2026. More information on this will be contained with the ballot papers. Ultimately the person casting the vote for the business needs to be someone who has the correct authority to vote on behalf of the ratepayer.ription

Business rates are a property tax collected by the Local Authority which is then distributed at a national level. The Local Authority spends its allocated funding on services that are both statutory and discretionary and you have no control over these spending decisions. All the monies raised from the BID levy will be spent to the benefit of the BID area, with decisions made by those that pay.

Yes. Once the property is let and the responsibility for paying the business rates on the property passes onto a new tenant, they would then have to pay the levy from the following April.

Businesses could benefit from projects such as improved security within the BID zone, joint marketing, promotional events, improved business communications, environmental initiatives, networking opportunities and coordinated work on local business challenges. The BID would encourage their members to utilise the businesses within the BID zone to provide services they need which would help keep money within the local economy/BID zone. The BID would continue to work with businesses to determine their wants and needs and then funding would be allocated to the services that are of the greatest benefit ot the BID members.

Levy income would be used to fund projects and services as detailed in the BID Proposal. Budgets, expenditure and progress would be reported transparently so that businesses could understand how their contributions are being used.

No. A BID is intended to provide additional projects and benefits rather than simply replace existing statutory services. The proposed BID would need to work with Swindon Borough Council and other partners to establish clear responsibilities and avoid duplication.

The BID will work with the police, council and businesses to identify recurring issues, improve reporting and explore initiatives such as business crime partnerships, coordinated communications and additional security measures where feasible and agreed. The BID would also employ a dedicated street team to patrol and attend issues and gather data on criminal activity. A presence on the streets would be a strong deterrent to anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and other criminal behaviour.

Potential initiatives could include tackling litter and graffiti, reporting maintenance issues, supporting environmental improvements and coordinating business-led projects to make commercial areas more welcoming. The precise activities would depend on the agreed priorities and available funding.

The BID will coordinate marketing campaigns, events, seasonal activities and promotions to encourage more people to visit Swindon, spend locally and return. Its performance could be assessed using measures such as footfall, campaign engagement and business feedback.

The BID could create opportunities for independent businesses to participate in joint promotions, access shared marketing and attend networking events. The levy structure and proposed projects should be designed with the needs of businesses of different sizes in mind.

Yes, the proposed BID could support a wider range of sectors, including professional services, hospitality, leisure and other commercial businesses. Consultation has helped identify priorities relevant to different sectors, not just shops. The work of the BID aims to improve the environment for their staff and be able to connect businesses to the professional services offered by its members potentially generating new and recurring business for one another.

The BID's priorities are set out in its Proposal, informed by business consultation. If approved, the BID organisation and its board would oversee delivery, with appropriate representation, governance and accountability arrangements. Further detail about the BID Board/Organisation is available on the website.

Businesses will be able to take part in consultations, respond to surveys, attend engagement events and submit ideas. There could also be opportunities to join working groups, attend meetings or become involved in BID governance i.e. be an active BID Board member, subject to the arrangements adopted. Some detail on the anticipated arrangements can be found on the website.

The BID will publish regular progress reports, annual accounts, financial information and performance measures. These could demonstrate how funds are allocated, which projects have been delivered and what outcomes have been achieved for local businesses.

The BID should have clear objectives, measurable targets and transparent reporting. Businesses would be able to raise concerns through the organisation's agreed feedback and complaints processes, while performance would be reviewed against the commitments in the business plan.

The BID will be a not-for-profit organisation, overseen by a Board of Directors representing the businesses that fund it, including a range of sectors, business sizes and locations contributing to the BID. The Board may also include relevant stakeholder or other non-voting representatives where this would support the delivery of the BID's objectives.The Board will provide strategic direction and ensure that the BID delivers against the approved Business Plan. Spending decisions and procurement of services will be amongst the roles of the Board. Day-to-day delivery will be undertaken by the BID team, with appropriate reporting to the Board. More details on the anticipated structure and likely build-up of BID members can be found on the website.