November's BID Insight from Chris Turner


This has been a busy month for ballots, with 16 results since my last insight! Congratulations to Stratford (East London), Lincoln, Exeter, Leeds, Worcester, Bracknell, Solihull, Luton, Hereford, Mansfield, Wolverhampton, Paisley First, and Bedford. Chippenham was unsuccessful. Crawley and Port Talbot are both a new BID.

At the National BIDs Conference earlier this month we had a very useful discussion on the role of the national levy payers and the impact of the growth in BID numbers on both their budgets and their workloads. The levy amounts across the country for some of the major players is now in excess of £1 million, and, with approximately 70 ballots a year, the workloads are increasing. Some are setting up well-organised systems for dealing with them. A key part of that system for many of the national stake holders is both British BIDs Accreditation and the British BIDs National Criteria, which are available here. We will be working on the 2020 National BID Criteria ready for launch in the New Year. Of course, we continue to provide our head office levy payer service and for more details do please email mel.richardson@britishbids.info.
 
The National BIDs Advisory Board met ahead the conference and was pleased to confirm Accreditation for the BIDs in Hammersmith, Bristol Broadmead, South Bank, North Notts and Worcester. The Accreditation process is always welcomed by our national levy payers and we now have 19 Accredited BIDs, with a further 15 at various stages in the process. Again, get in touch with mel.richardson@britishbids.info for more information.
 
The National BIDs Advisory Board is the group that brings together on a regular basis the different BID communities. It considers such matters that the various members of the BID community feel need discussing but will consider inter alia the Government Loan fund, the National BID Survey, the National BID Awards, the National BID Criteria, and Accreditation. We have some 16 members, representing BIDs, the national levy payers, and further information is here. If you have an interest in joining us, please do get in touch.
 
In an important and key strategic move the Government has confirmed its support for BIDs on the vexed issues of turnout and public sector support in ballots. Jake Berry confirmed, in a written Parliamentary response last month, that the Government is committed to supporting BIDs, as they have been a key tool in providing business-led improvements to local areas since 2004, and they remain an important part of our high streets and town centre agenda. The Government makes clear that it does not have any specific proposals for amending the Local Government Act 2003 and the Business Improvements Districts (England) Regulations 2004 with respect to Business Improvement Districts at the present time, including any plans to prevent Local Authorities from voting in BID ballots or introduce a statutory minimum ballot turnout. The Government keeps the statutory framework for BIDs under constant review. The full details are here.
 
Supporting this decision, it was useful to report at the conference in Cambridge that turnouts are very reasonable, with a mean of 45% and the upper quartile at 56%. The highest turnout was 88%. The latest BIDs in the British Isles 2019 survey is available here.
 
Business rates remain a vital part of BID discussions with levy payers. The Treasury Committee Report on Business Rates, to which we gave both written and oral evidence has now been published. The Committee says that it is clear that change is needed to the current business rates system. They believe that none of the alternative systems presented to their inquiry have demonstrated that they are a clearly superior alternative. However, they believe that it should not be up to external stakeholders to develop and evaluate detailed proposals. Their report stresses that given the changing nature of the economy, and with high streets on the decline, the Government needs to be curious, proactive and creative in exploring alternative options to such an important source of Government revenue. They recommend that the Government prepares a consultation in time for the next Spring Statement to identify potential alternatives to the current system of business rates and form the basis for a subsequent detailed evaluation of viable options. (Paragraph 199). Clearly, we at British BIDs will continue to monitor and press on these issues and keep our members fully up to date.
 
Interestingly, as part of the current election campaign, all three of the major parties led on business rates as part of their campaigns. The Conservatives pledged to reduce business rates for small firms in order to help “left-behind” towns if they win the general election. The plans would offer support to retailers as well as making it easier for local groups to buy community buildings such as post offices. The Liberal party vowed to remove them completely, and the Labour Party presented plans to reform business rates. More information is available here.
 
Finally, the Towns Fund prospectus has been published and is available here. This adds a further 100 towns to the existing 100 Future High Streets funding and gives those towns eligible for support of £3.6 billion. The Towns Fund include places with proud industrial and economic heritage, but which have not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas. The key message for BIDs is that there are now 200 towns across England receiving extra funding, and it is for BIDs to make sure that they are fully involved. Exciting times indeed!

 

Professor Christopher Turner, Chief Executive, British BIDs

Latest Articles

SEPTEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

AUGUST INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

JULY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

APRIL INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

MARCH INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

DESIGN YOUR SCHEME READY FOR A SUCCESSFUL RESULT

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

FEBRUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

JANUARY INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

DECEMBER INSIGHTS BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

NOVEMBER'S INSIGHT BY CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

10 key considerations from The National BIDs Conference

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

October's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

A PRO-BUSINESS (AND NOT SO MINI) BUDGET FROM OUR NEW CHANCELLOR

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

September's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

National BID Awards 2022

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

August's insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

July's Insight by Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Leadership race: Businesses need competent hands on the tiller

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

JUNE'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Greening our cities

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

MAY'S INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Bringing back The Golden Mile in Belfast

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Industrial BID Members to meet at Penrith Industrial BID

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

HINCKLEY BID: Attracting visitors through our annual pancake race

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Bb joins national campaign to encourage workers back to offices

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

TURNING BUSINESS FOOD WASTE INTO VEGETABLES IN BOURNEMOUTH

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BACK TO PLAN A, NOW NO MORE TO-ING AND FRO-ING!

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Businesses need clarity from government in 2022

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Over 100 destinations urge UK government to deliver 'business booster

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

December's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Plan B: £4bn Loss Predicted for hospitality sector

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Small Business Saturday Spotlight: BRINGING FAMILIES TO TOWN WITH THE HELP OF SNOW QUEENS AND ICE FAIRIES

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Small Business Saturday: Wizard of Oz comes to Saffron Walden

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Small Business Saturday spotlight: Hidden crackers in Nottingham

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs and The Means are delighted with GO! Southampton BIDs successful ballot

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs to welcome new BIDs to the Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

November's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Unemployment is falling, but our recovery is patchy

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

National BIDs Conference 2021

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Budget 2021 - letter to Chancellor

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

October's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

High street app attracts thousands of visitors to Lanark

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Getting back on track

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

August's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

The future health of our High Street Businesses

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

July's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Freedom day is coming… and BIDs are performing an incredible public service

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BIDlife

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Our rapidly evolving workspaces

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs appointed to support Swindon renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

May's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Indoor service please

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

ACT NOW FOR A STAND-OUT LIGHTING DISPLAY THIS WINTER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Evidence to The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on Permitted Development Rights

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Amazon clicks and thirsty punters… now for business rates

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Welcome people back to your high street with Plantscape’s floral displays

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

High streets a part of life?

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BIDlife - Send us your reopening photos

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

April's Insight from Chris Turner - 2021

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

The Big Heart of Merthyr Tydfil BID and Northfield BID achieve Accreditation

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Maybe* - 7 ways to reconnect with your BID levy payers and their customers

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

March’s ballot results – a congratulations from British BIDs

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Ballot Buddy helps achieve a new term for Sheffield BID

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs meets with UK's largest national chains

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Retail repositioning continues

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Colour and animation for magical lights this Christmas - GALA LIGHTS

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

The recovery Budget delivered, where now for our towns and cities?

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

£1bn Towns Fund for 45 areas in England announced

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

February ballot results – a congratulations from the British BIDs team

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Letter on proposed new Permitted Development Rights

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Watford BID overcoming the challenges to secure a ‘YES’ vote

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID ballots during lockdown

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Business Interruption Policy Checker, Christmas Support Payments and Lockdown Guidance and elections

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

The headlines are gloomy, but our future evolved local high street looks exciting

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

As we lose a retail icon, we must embrace the change

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

January's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Digital trends in 2021

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs discuss crime prevention

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Government names 72 high streets in England to share £831m recovery fund

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

A look back on 2020 BID ballots

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

December's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

#BIDlife - putting the spotlight on our towns and cities!

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

How can and should BIDs be more community focused?

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Christmas lights provide feel-good factor in challenging times

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Welsh guidance about the coronavirus rules that will be in place from 6pm Friday 4 December

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Repurposing our places for the future

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Arcadia Group – Guidance for BIDs, 1 December 2020

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Calling on the Government to do more to support Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Increase your footfall over the festive period - Blachere Illumination

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

The shop local and loyal revolution from Scottish fintech Miconex with Town and City Gift Cards and Mi Rewards

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

November's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

LoyalFree: The high street app helping businesses trade through the lockdown

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID community prepares for second lockdown

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Job Support Scheme expanded to firms required to close due to Covid Restrictions

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - 1st November 2020

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs congratulates confirmed areas to receive new Town Deals Fund

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Paul Clement steps down from British BIDs after long-standing service

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

October's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs congratulates Melanie Beck on being awarded MBE for ‘Services to the Community’ during Covid-19

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BIDs in the news

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs and Industrial BIDs share best practice

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

September's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs requests extension of 'Eat out To Help Out' Scheme

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

​Bb requests further BID term extension from MHCLG

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Bb to launch new research entitled 'Shaping the Future'

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Your Pontypridd Receives Accreditation

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

August's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Levy reduction letter from BIDs - download the template

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Local lockdowns and areas of interventions: how to prepare

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs' response on levy payments

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs supports Business Resilience Survey

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Get involved in our response to Government

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Preparing for localised lockdown webinar follow up

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Look back on lockdown - BIDs (part 2)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

July's insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Webinar with high street expert Bill Grimsey

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Ruth Duston joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Towns Fund – updated guidance

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Look back on lockdown - BIDs

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

June's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

From BBC news, to virtual meetings & training, we reflect on the past 3 months

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BBC News Channel - Professor Christopher Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Industrial and Business Park BIDs share good practice with virtual networking sessions

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

New research on BIDs and the 'new normal'

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Important announcement: MHCLG BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Ed Cooke joins British BIDs Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #9 (W/C 18TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #8 (W/C 11TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

3R Toolkit; Driving recovery in your place

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #7 (W/C 4TH MAY)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BIDs Advisory Board welcome Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #6 (W/C 27TH APRIL)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs announces new research into the recovery of BIDs and urban centres in the ‘new normal’

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs Announces BIDs Resilience Fund

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Government lobbying for BID levy relief during COVID-19

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

THAT WAS THE BB WEEK THAT WAS #5 (W/C 20TH APRIL)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs expands Ballot Buddy portfolio

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Sidcup BID achieve British BIDs Accreditation

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Government Survey - your help needed by 22nd April

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #4 (W/C 13th april)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

April's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

COVID-19 - Job Retention Scheme Update

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #3 (W/C 6th April)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #2 (W/C 30th March)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs' Ballot Buddy helps secure a 'yes' vote for West Bromwich BID

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

The Coronavirus Act 2020 and what it means for BIDs

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

That Was The Bb Week That Was #1 (w/c 23rd March)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID levy payments and COVID-19

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

New Q&A sessions announced

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Communications support for BIDs

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs Guidance - Q&A

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Business Improvement Districts and their Coronavirus Response

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

March's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Join our live Q&A session this Friday

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

COVID-19: An update for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs' response to the Chancellor's Budget

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs launches new Advisory Board

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Sunak urged to reform rates that ‘hammer’ local retailers

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

February's Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs partners with Welsh Government

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Business Rates - a representation to the Chancellor for the 2020 Budget

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

New year, new Christmas

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

January's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Celebrate our 10th birthday with us

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs support Plymouth City Centre BID at renewal campaign launch

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

December's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Digital Lego Trail successful boost to the City Centre

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Can your BID assist school/college leavers in their area to obtain employment locally?

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

October's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

September's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

August's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

July's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

June's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs appointed to support West Bromwich BID for renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs appointed to support Sheffield BID with 2020 renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

May's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

April's Insight from Professor Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Debenhams Administration - Guidance for BIDs

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

March's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID Loan Fund Workshops with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee - New Policy Issues

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Celebrating 25 Years in Christmas Lighting - Gala Lights

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

February's BID Insight from Chris Turner

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

InLinkUK - New to our Suppliers Portal

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JANUARY

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - DECEMBER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Thank you to our British BIDs members

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - NOVEMBER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Autumn Budget 2018: Highlights for the BID industry

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - OCTOBER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government BID Loan Fund

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

British BIDs appointed to support South Bank BID with 2019 renewal ballot

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Faster broadband underpins UK BIDs - Openreach

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

National BIDs Conference by Ben Collins

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - SEPTEMBER

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Is slow broadband hindering your business and do you want to do something about it?

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - AUGUST

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Do Your BID’s Lights Need A Refresh?

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JULY

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Applications for the 2018 Great British High Streets Awards are now open!

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Launch of the Second Grimsey review

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Launch of the Great British High Street Awards 2018

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - JUNE

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MAY

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT INDUSTRY CELEBRATES 300 BIDS

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

Check out our photos from the Professional Development Day

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - APRIL

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

What you can discover on the new Bb website

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019

BID INSIGHT FROM CHRIS TURNER - MARCH

POSTED ON: 21/11/2019