BIDs survey shows good relationships but concern over revaluations
16th May 2023
The BID Foundation has surveyed its members, a range of the most influential Business Improvement Districts around the UK, and have found that BIDs are aligned to a core value of working in the best interests of place, but that there is concern about the impact of rates revaluations on their ability to consistently raise levy income.
Concern about high street property revaluation
In response to this survey – the results of which can be downloaded below – The BID Foundation programmed a discussion at the recent BID Summit in Manchester about business rates and how BIDs can respond to revaluations to remain resilient and continue to deliver value for their areas.
Members of The BID Foundation can review this presentation from The BID Summit, delivered by Julie Grail SFIPM, and it was featured in this week’s edition of The BrieF (an email digest sent direct to our members).
Strong local relationships for BIDs
Another area of focus for BIDs in the member survey was their relationships with other place stakeholders in their area. Unsurprisingly, the strongest working relationships were found with local authorities, law enforcement and local independents. Good relationships were also perceived with national levy payers.
However, a clearer weakness was the strength of relationship with combined authorities, with most BIDs ‘somewhat agreeing’ to have a good working relationship with these organisations. This rings true in conversations with BID leaders who have to work hard to influence at the regional level, a fact which says much about the challenge of political devolution in the UK.
You can review a summary of the survey results via the link below: