Business Improvement Districts

A Business Improvement District is a precisely defined area of a town, city or commercial district where business ratepayers have voted to fund improvements which are additional to those delivered by local councils. The BID allows local businesses to agree to pay a levy on top of their rates bill to provide additional services to improve their local trading environment.

BIDs are 'Not for profit' are are run by a board made up of members.

Since the first BIDs were introduced to the UK in 2005, there has been a rapid growth in their numbers. There are now 68 BIDs across the UK, with more in the pipeline.

There are curently 17 active or proposed London BIDs.

Links:

National BID advisory service

Communities and Local Gvernment - Development and Implementation of Business Improvement Districts

London BIDs:

Camden Town unlimited

Croydon

E11 (Leytonstone)