Business improvement districts

What is a business improvement district?

Business improvement districts (BIDs) allow businesses in a specific area to develop a unique area of improvement plans.

A proposal is created through research and consultation, which businesses vote on. A decision is then made whether to pay a levy to fund the improvements. If agreed the levy is secured to fund the area for extra services and improvements identified in the proposal. Each business improvement district operates for a maximum of five years, after which a new vote is taken.

The aim of a business improvement district is to:

• Add value
• Encourage investment
• Increase footfall to areas

Benefits include:

• Physical improvements, such as lighting, graffiti removal, greening and cleaning projects.
• Extra security measures for streets and businesses. such as warden schemes.
• Improving open spaces for employees and visitors.
• Marketing promotions through increased local networking and business to business opportunities.
• Public events and expansion of tourism.
• Improving staff retention and recruitment.
• Increasing access through improved transport and parking arrangements.

These services and improvements are offered in addition to services the local authority provides.

Current and future BID ballots in Southwark

Team London Bridge has secured a second five-year term for the London Bridge Business Improvement District.

The Team London Bridge renewal ballot which closed on 4 November 2010, achieved a positive vote of 77% in terms of numbers of businesses voting. This represents 89% of the aggregate rateable value of those businesses voting. This is an increased majority from their first term ballot of 2005. There was a 53% turnout, also an increase on the first term. The second term commences on 1 April 2011.

See the full details of the services delivered by team London Bridge.

The Waterloo Quarter is also in the process of setting up a renewal ballot for both the Lambeth and the Southwark Waterloo BID areas. A notice of ballot has been issued (from Thursday 6 January) to all businesses eligible to vote. The notice of ballot advises eligible voters of the process of ballot and when to expect their ballot papers. See a copy of the Waterloo Quarter BID renewal proposal.

Waterloo Quarter - second Term Ballot

Waterloo Quarter was successful in its second term ballot which closed on February 24th 2011, securing a majority of 83% in terms of numbers of businesses voting. This represents 90% of the aggregate rateable value of those businesses voting. The turnout was 61% of those eligible to vote, 75 out of 122. This is an increased majority from their first term ballot of 2008. Waterloo Quarter BID crosses the borough boundary between Southwark and Lambeth. Due to current legislation, Waterloo Quarter also had to have a referendum in Lambeth, which was also successful.

The formal declaration recorded the following results:

Total number of votes cast in the ballot, excluding any given on ballot papers rejected	75
Aggregate rateable value of each hereditament in respect of which a person voted in the ballot	£15,749,600
Total number of votes cast in favour of the proposed Business Improvement District for London Borough of Southwark - Waterloo Quarter	62
Aggregate rateable value of each hereditament in respect of which a person voting in the ballot has voted in favour of the proposed Business Improvement District for London Borough of Southwark - Waterloo Quarter	£14,238,850

Business improvement districts in Southwark

Better Bankside covers the area from:

• Blackfriars Road to Borough High Street
• North to the Riverside Walk
• South to Southwark Street

London Bridge BID covers the area from:

• Borough High Street to Tower Bridge Road
• North to the river
• South to St Thomas Street
• Snowsfields including Tooley Street

Waterloo Quarter is a joint Southwark and Lambeth BID covering the area from:

• Blackfriars Road to Lower Marsh
• North to the river
• South to Lambeth Road
  

Better Bankside - second term

Better Bankside was successful in its second term ballot which closed on February 25th 2010, securing a majority of 82% in terms of numbers of businesses voting. This represents 86% of the aggregate rateable value of those businesses voting. The turnout was 51% of those eligible to vote, 286 out of 560. This is an increased majority from their first term ballot of 2005. Better Bankside has expanded its BID area for the second five-year term to extend south to Union Street and Borough tube station.

The formal declaration recorded the following results:

Total number of votes cast in the ballot, excluding any given on ballot papers rejected	286
Aggregate rateable value of each hereditament in respect of which a person voted in the ballot	£55,245,500
Total number of votes cast in favour of the proposed Business Improvement District for Bankside	235
Aggregate rateable value of each hereditament in respect of which a person voting in the ballot has voted in favour of the proposed Business Improvement District for Bankside	£47,308,750

See the full details of the services delivered by the Better Bankside. 

Other BID resources

• UK BIDs has information on good practice and links to ballot results and legislation on regulations
• London BIDs develops business improvement districts and lessons on the experiences of five Circle Initiative business improvement district pilots
• ATCM offers general information on business improvement districts and local area management
• British BIDs a national membership organisation offering professional support to developing and existing business improvement districts 

Local Government Act

The local authority has a statutory responsibility in accordance to the Local Government Act 2003 to support the development of business improvement districts and facilitate their establishment. This is managed centrally by an appointed business improvement district coordinator.