Bid ballot 2024

Stratford Upon Avon BID update – May 2024

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is currently in the process of issuing the BID levy bills for the first year of the new 5-year BID term, which runs from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Although an objection has been raised with the government regarding the ballot result that took place in February 2024, we have been advised by the District Council that the BID should continue to operate as per the successful ballot result, and therefore, we have jointly agreed that the District Council should issue the bills.

It is important to note that there is no specified timeframe within the BID Regulations for the government to determine whether the BID can continue in its current form or if a new ballot will be required. Until we know the outcome we will continue to operate.

The potential outcomes of the government’s decision are as follows:

1. The BID can continue for the remainder of the 5-year term, from 2024 to 2029.
2. The BID ballot is declared void, and a new ballot will be conducted.

In the event that the BID ballot is declared void, businesses will receive a refund for BID levy paid for this year.

As soon as we receive any updates from the government regarding their decision, we will promptly provide you with the necessary information.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Stratford Upon Avon BID update – April 2024

Stratford Upon Avon BID, having recently secured a new 5-year term in a successful ballot, regrets to announce a postponement of planned initiatives and projects outlined in the new BID Business Plan. This decision comes as a result of a challenge lodged in respect of the ballot result, delaying the implementation of the proposed programme.

The BID Board was eager to commence the execution of the exciting initiatives from 1 April 2024 following the successful ballot. Plans were in motion, including the recruitment of a new BID Manager and the ongoing tender process for a Food Festival contract for the next 5 years, with the anticipation of appointing a supplier next week.

However, the Secretary of State recently notified the BID company of the challenge to the ballot result, triggering a process that is expected to take several months to resolve. As a result, the positive work that was planned to be delivered will be put on hold while the challenge is under consideration by the relevant authorities.

Despite these unforeseen delays, Stratford Upon Avon BID remains committed to the community and the businesses it serves. The organisation will continue to work diligently behind the scenes to ensure that projects and initiatives are ready to be activated and swiftly implemented once the outcome of the challenge is determined.

The BID company remains dedicated to delivering a vibrant and prosperous Stratford-upon-Avon once the challenge is resolved.

The Stratford  Upon Avon Business Improvement District (BID) ballot result

The Stratford  Upon Avon Business Improvement District (BID) company is delighted to announce that it has been re-elected for a further five years. The result, which was endorsed following a ballot of 382 local businesses, will see the BID continue its mission to enhance the local business environment and stimulate economic growth within the town centre.

The independent ballot was conducted by Civica election management company and the result is:

54% voted Yes by number of businesses

72% voted Yes by rateable value

36% turnout 

The successful ballot will result in £1.9 million reinvestment over the next five years into the improvement of the local business landscape, aimed at driving increased footfall, elevating sales turnover, and enhancing the overall appeal of the town centre.

Under the new 5-year BID business plan spanning from 2024 to 2029, the BID is committed to a range of initiatives designed to benefit the local business community. These initiatives include the appointment of dedicated Police Officers, provision of business crime radios, and the organisation of high-profile events such as annual food and motor festivals, as well as the Christmas lights switch-on event. Additionally, the BID will introduce a loyalty app to encourage employees within the BID area to support local businesses, implement new footfall counters to measure the impact of events, and, with the businesses, develop a night-time economy strategy.

In a bid to showcase the diverse array of local businesses, the BID will launch a new independents guide, food and drink guide, and professional services guide. Furthermore, the popular lifestyle magazine will make a return to bolster the promotion of local businesses.  The recruitment of a new BID Manager will get underway shortly.

Commenting on the successful renewal, Rich Jones, BID Chairman said, “Today marks a new era with a new set of exciting initiatives, we are delighted that businesses have backed the BID for a further 5 years and we would like to thank the local businesses that voted for Stratford-upon-Avon to retain BID status”.

The Stratford Upon Avon Business Improvement District (BID) remains committed to fostering a vibrant and prosperous business environment, and looks forward to implementing these exciting initiatives over the next five years.

BID Business Plan 2024-2029

Frequently asked questions

WHAT ARE BID’S KEY PLEDGES IN THE NEW 5-YEAR TERM 2024-2029?
The BID is making a commitment to deliver initiatives including:

• Ringfenced Police Officers to patrol the BID area and be a highly visible presence, tackling retail crime and anti-social behaviour, directly contactable by local businesses using the BID radio scheme
• Motor Festival, Food Festival and the Christmas lights switch on event
• A calendar of new events that boost footfall and increase sales turnover for local businesses
• Support for new events that other stakeholders deliver
• Christmas lights sponsorship.
• New footfall counters to share data with local businesses
• Continue with the business radio scheme, plus continue to support, and fund Pubwatch and Bardwatch
• An evening economy strategy
• Training and seminars for independent businesses
• Discounted parking for employees within the BID area
• Advocate the extension of the Park and Ride scheme
• Improvements such as the 40 flower towers throughout the BID area
• New Food and Drink Guide and map for the BID area
• New Professional Services Guide and map for the BID area
• New Independent’s Guide and map for the BID area
• Relaunch the Stratford-upon-Avon Lifestyle magazine to showcase local businesses
• Relaunch the existing BID Area Employee Discount Card to an app
• BID communications including website, social media, newsletters, and meetings with levy payers

HAVE OTHER BIDS FUNDED POLICE OFFERS FOR THEIR TOWN?
Yes. Examples include: (Click the name to read the report)
• Peterborough BID
• Liverpool BID
• Hammersmith BID
• Brixton BID
• Edinburgh BID

WHY ISNT THE RIVER FESTIVAL MENTIONED IN THE BUSINESS PLAN?
The BID does not plan to organise and fund the River Festival going forward due to the increasing costs and following feedback from businesses, however we are supportive of another stakeholder taking the lead on the event.

The BID will consider any requests for funding to support the event.

We will be delivering other key events in the town including the Food Festival, Motor Festival, Christmas Lights Switch On, plus some new events.

CAN I JOIN THE BID BOARD?
Yes. We have committed to creating three new positions on the Board, and subject to a successful ballot, we will welcome applications from eligible businesses.

We would especially welcome interest from independent businesses, retail, and hospitality.

WHY ARE THE COUNCILLORS AND COUNCIL OFFICERS NO LONGER ON THE BOARD?
Feedback from local businesses was for the BID to be 100% business led and an organisation that was independent of Councils and Councillors. Therefore, we asked the three Councillors and three Council Officers to stand down following a Board restructure and they agreed it was in the best interests of the BID moving forward.

In the new 5-year term the BID Manager and BID Chair will meet with Councillors and Officers regularly to discuss the BID, all three Councils are supportive of this.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THE BID BOARD NOW?
There are seven directors on the BID Board representing seven businesses in the town centre. Six months ago, there were sixteen people on the Board and
feedback from local businesses was they wanted a reduced Board, so we restructured the Board.

There are also no longer any Observers on the Board.

WHO WILL BE THE BID MANAGER IN THE NEW TERM?
If the BID ballot is successful, the role of BID Manager will be advertised in February 2024.

HOW MUCH WILL BE SPENT ON BID STAFF IN THE NEW TERM
Annual operating costs will not exceed 23% of the annual BID levy

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREET AMBASSADORS?
Feedback from local businesses was that the role was not as effective as was required as they had limited powers to address the issues that were affecting businesses. When the Senior Ambassador left the BID, it provided an opportunity for us to re-evaluate the role of the Street Ambassadors and it was decided that the project would be stopped for the final months of the current 5-year BID term.

To directly address issues in the town centre such as anti-social behaviour and retail crime we have committed to funding additional Police in the BID area.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR THE RIVER FESTIVAL?
The funds were re-invested in other projects such as the Christmas lights switch on event and the two-day food festival.

DOES THE BID ORGANISE THE MARKETS IN THE TOWN?
No. The Council contracts a market operator to deliver the markets.

WHY HAS THE BID AREA BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE MAYBIRD SHOPPING PARK?
Feedback from the Police was that a co-ordinated approach was required to successfully tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour in Stratford-uponAvon.

WILL THE TOWN CENTRE AND MAYBIRD SHOPPING PARK HAVE THE SAME BID BENEFITS?
No. The Maybird Shopping Park, Tesco and Morrisons will only benefit from crime prevention initiatives such as the BID radio scheme and the Police. The town centre will benefit from all BID initiatives including crime prevention initiatives, events, and marketing.

WHY HAS THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD INCREASED TO £15,000 RATEABLE VALUE?
The BID has been brought in line with the same criteria for Small Business Rates Relief (business rates eligibility).

Therefore, if your business premises has a rateable value below £15,000 RV then you are not eligible to vote or pay the BID levy.

According to the British BIDs Annual Survey and Report 2023: “91% of BIDs make use of an exemption threshold. Most BIDs aim to ensure that no levy payment is less than the cost of collection, others keep their threshold at or below the level of the current government Small Business Rate Relief threshold of either £12,000 [59%] or the tapered figure of £15,000 [75%]”.

CAN I JOIN THE BID IF MY BUSINESS PREMISES FALLS BELOW THE MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE THRESHOLD?
Yes. In the new 5-year term you can opt to be an Associate Member of the BID and pay a voluntary membership fee. In this way all businesses in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre can be a part of the BID, if they choose to.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT MY BUSINESS PREMISES RATEABLE VALUE IS?
You can check this online at: www.gov.uk/find-business-rates

WHY HAS THE BID LEVY PERCENATGE BEEN INCREASED TO 1.75%?
It is common practice for a BID to increase its income when going to ballot.

The BID also must ensure that the pledges stated within the business plan are achievable and affordable as the cost of events, projects and initiatives has increased.

The BID levy was set at 1.47% for the third term 2019-2024 and will be 1.75% for the fourth term 2024-2029. For a business with a rateable value of £15,000 this is an annual increase of £42.

IS THE BID LEVY CAPPED?
The BID levy is not capped for the core BID area (town centre) where businesses will benefit from all initiatives and events outlined in the BID Business Plan.

The BID levy is capped for the extended area including The Maybird Shopping Park, as these businesses will solely benefit from crime reduction initiatives

DO OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES HAVE A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT?
Yes. Nuneaton will be going to BID ballot this year and Warwick are looking to develop a BID soon.

Stratford-upon-Avon has held BID status for 15 years and there are 350 BIDs established across the UK including Coventry, Leamington Spa, Solihull, Birmingham, Oxford, Banbury, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham, Cambridge, and Bath.

WHEN DO WE FIND OUT IF IT’S A YES / NO VOTE?
Friday 23 February 2024.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT’S A YES VOTE?
The Stratford Upon Avon BID will get underway with delivering the BID Business Plan from 1 April 2024.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT’S A NO VOTE?
The vote is for a new 5-year BID term.

If the vote is unsuccessful the BID will conclude at the end of the current 5-year term which is on 31 March 2024 and the BID company will close.

The projects and initiatives detailed within the BID Business Plan will not go ahead.

No other group or organisation is legally allowed to step in to deliver the proposed BID Business Plan.

The company must cease and no one else will have the legal mechanism to take over or be able to repurpose BID funds.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BID LEVY IF IT’S A NO VOTE?
If the BID ballot is unsuccessful, any BID levy remaining in the BID account on 31 March 2024 will be returned to the District Council who will credit back to local businesses, in accordance with legislation.

WILL MY VOTE AT THE BID BALLOT REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes. Civica, an election management company in London are conducting the 28-day postal ballot on behalf of the District Council. Please vote and return your ballot paper to them in the self-addressed envelope

I HAVE LOST MY BALLOT PAPER, CAN I GET A REPLACEMENT?
Yes, please contact us and we will arrange for Civica to send you another ballot paper. They will require some information from you to facilitate this.
Email: bidmanager@stratforduponavonbid.co.uk  or telephone 01789 299011

MY BALLOT PAPER HAS THE WRONG NAME ON IT, CAN I GET A REPLACEMENT?
Yes, please contact us and we will arrange for Civica to send you another ballot paper. They will require some information from you to facilitate this.
Email: Bidmanager@stratforduponavonbid.co.uk or telephone 01789 299011

I AM UNSURE HOW TO VOTE, CAN I DISCUSS THE BID IN FURTHER DETAIL WITH A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OR WITH THE INTERIM BID MANAGER?
Yes of course. Please contact us to arrange this.
Email: bidmanager@stratforduponavonbid.co.uk or telephone 01789 299011

WHERE CAN I SEE A COPY OF THE NEW 5-YEAR BID BUSINESS PLAN?
You can view the new BID Business Plan here.
Alternatively, you can contact us to arrange for a hard copy to be hand delivered to your business.