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frequently asked questions
What is Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID)?

Shrewsbury Business Improvement District is one of more than 300 UK BIDs which, through a partnership of levy-paying members, works to improve business in the town centre of Shrewsbury. Founded in 2014, by the businesses which went on to become its members, Shrewsbury BID delivers a range of projects and services to promote the town, save costs for businesses, improve the trading environment and give a strong voice to businesses on key issues affecting them.

Shrewsbury BID is a democratically elected not-for-profit organisation, governed by a voluntary Board of Directors representative of the town’s businesses. This enables more than 500 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact how Shrewsbury town centre is promoted, managed, and developed. The dedicated Shrewsbury BID team works to deliver projects and initiatives outlined in the Business Plan that benefit the businesses in the local area. Shrewsbury BID levy payers’ views and ideas are regularly sought to improve Shrewsbury BID’s projects and services.

In June 2023, Shrewsbury Business Improvement District was renewed for a third five-year term, from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2029. The Renewal Ballot was administered by Shropshire Council, in accordance with the Business Improvement District Regulations 2004, and was successful after 94% of businesses (97% by rateable value) voted in favour of the BID2 Business Plan Proposal. Read more about the BID3 ballot.

We are a Company limited by guarantee Registration No. 08834790 and operate under The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.

What is a Business Improvement District (BID)?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led and business-funded body formed to invest in and improve a trading environment. A BID enables businesses to work collectively to decide what improvements they want to make in their area. As a democratically elected, independent body, ultimately a BID gives businesses greater influence and impact on how their town is managed and develops. There are over 300 BIDs established across the UK including Chester, Bath, Aberystwyth, Oswestry, Stafford and Leamington Spa.

Governed by legislation to ensure fairness and transparency, a BID is created for a five-year period following a successful ballot.

To succeed at ballot the BID must pass a dual key mechanism – a majority by number and by size (RV) of those who vote and there is no turnout threshold.

How is Shrewsbury BID funded and managed?

Shrewsbury BID is principally financed by a levy which is 1.58% of rateable value from eligible businesses and organisations within the BID area. Once a ballot is established in favour of a BID, the BID levy is mandatory for eligible businesses irrespective of how or whether they voted.

All businesses with a rateable value above £12,000, within the Shrewsbury BID area are eligible to pay the levy.

The BID levy is paid annually by the occupiers of a property and collected by Shropshire Council. It is then transferred to Shrewsbury BID for use on the projects and services agreed in Shrewsbury BID’s Business Plan.

Shrewsbury BID businesses are represented by the Shrewsbury BID Company which is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors from a range of sectors and organisations in the Shrewsbury BID area.

How is the Shrewsbury BID levy calculated?

The Shrewsbury BID levy is charged at 1.58% of rateable value of each hereditament within the Shrewsbury BID area that has a rateable value of £12,000 or more on the prevailing values on the 2023 Rating List.

Businesses below this threshold are exempt from paying the levy but can choose to become voluntary members.

Does the levy increase in line with inflation?

The levy may increase by an annual inflationary factor of up to 5% (i.e. from 1.58% multiplier to 1.63% in year 2 and so on).

Can businesses below the levy threshold or outside the BID area join?

Whilst businesses under the threshold receive the halo benefits of the Shrewsbury BID place marketing and improvement projects, we offer a Voluntary BID Membership which enables non-levy payers to be more involved.

Businesses below the rateable value threshold or outside of the Shrewsbury BID area do not receive a vote in the ballot, as set out in the Business Improvement District Regulations 2004:

  • Businesses who are below the levy threshold or outside the BID area and therefore not required to pay the levy, do not have voting rights in any ballot of members.
  • The BID levy rules and BID area for any future BID proposal will determine which businesses will receive a vote in any future BID term proposal.
How is the levy spent?

Shrewsbury BID activity is delivered over and above the projects and baselined service levels provided by public agencies including the Local Authority and Police. The projects and services which will be delivered during the five-year BID period are agreed and set out in Shrewsbury BID’s 2024-2029 Business Plan.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are defined and performance is monitored by the Shrewsbury BID Board and Project Working Groups.

The annual budget is approved through the Board of Directors and at each quarter thereafter the board revisits and reprofiles as necessary the expenditure per theme or project.

The Board of Directors receives regular advice regarding the review and evaluation of projects from the management team prior to making further decisions on spend or reprofiling of expenditures.

How does Shrewsbury BID report on progress and keep members updated?

To keep members updated on activity and progress, Shrewsbury BID provides:

  • Annual reports posted to your business and available in Key Documents
  • Monthly email bulletins. If you don’t receive these please contact us
  • Focus groups and sector forums
  • One-to-one meetings with Shrewsbury BID’s Team and Directors
  • Annual meetings
Can I opt out of the Shrewsbury BID levy?

No. Following the successful ballot, the BID arrangements are legally binding for eligible businesses irrespective of how or whether they voted.

In Shrewsbury, eligible businesses are those within the Shrewsbury BID area with a rateable value above £12,000 on the 2023 Rating List.

What is the estimated annual total revenue to be raised from the Shrewsbury BID levy?

The estimated total revenue to be raised from the Shrewsbury BID levy is £300,000, with an average additional annual project income for Shrewsbury BID in excess of £400,000.

How are Board directors elected?

Shrewsbury BID has 18 positions on its Voluntary Board of Directors, who are representative of levy payers in Shrewsbury.

Board Director elections take place at our Annual Meeting each year where Directors can be re-elected. If you are interested in joining the Board, please get in touch.

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