About the BID
What is a BID?
Welcome to Christchurch Business Improvement District (BID) community, where business contributions power community improvements, enhancements & events ensuring Christchurch Town Centre is a place to explore, relax, invest and live for generations to come.
We provide services which are in addition to those already provided by Local Councils. We enhance, animate, promote and support businesses in our area with events, funding grant applications, managing improvement projects and supporting businesses with group discounts, training and free membership to Christchurch Chamber of Commerce.
We focus on various initiatives to enhance the town’s appeal and vitality to foster a vibrant and prosperous local economy while enhancing the overall experience for businesses, residents and visitors alike.
As a not-for-profit limited company, the BID is funded by Christchurch businesses via a levy payment that is collected via BCP Council. Each business located in the designated BID area, pays a small proportion of their business rateable value towards the BID. The payment is separate and in addition to the business rate payment. The levy payment raised is then ring-fenced for use only in their BID area, unlike business rates which are re-distributed nationally by the Government. This collaborative approach allows businesses to collectively invest in improvements, enhancements and promotions that directly benefit the local business community.
How a BID helps businesses
To improve a local area by investing in services, and improvements. BIDs focus activity on behalf of local businesses to enhance the overall experience for visitors and residents alike, driving footfall and prosperity.
There are more than 320 BIDs already operating across the UK, with the majority focusing on town or city centres and the benefits they have brought about include increased footfall, improved marketing, more events, better security and enhanced streets.
A BID is funded by businesses paying a small proportion of their business rateable value towards the BID. This money is then ring-fenced for use only in their BID area, unlike Business Rates which are re-distributed by the Government.
A BID can only be formed if a successful ballot takes place – where the majority of businesses vote to adopt the Business Plan which they have developed. The maximum term for any BID is 5 years and, if businesses wish, a further 5-year term could subsequently be proposed and be taken to ballot.
Christchurch BID is a business-led and business funded Community Interest Company (CIC) formed to improve a defined commercial area. We enhance, animate, promote and support businesses in our area with events, applying for Christchurch specific grants, managing improvement projects and supporting businesses with group discounts, training and memberships to Chamber networking. Christchurch BID area generates approximately £130,000 per year, which can be supplemented by the application of specific town improvement grants.
Christchurch business contributions power community improvements, enhancements & events via the conduit of Christchurch BID, who manage finance, projects and organise events.
The benefits which have been widely reported include:
Improved promotion & marketing
Businesses being in control of major projects
Events & activities to increase vibrancy leading to increased footfall & business turnover
Additional network
Christchurch BID
A BID is funded by businesses paying a small proportion of their business rateable value (BID levy) on a package of improvements and this money is then ring-fenced for use only in the BID area.
The BID area generates approximately £120,000 per year, which is also supplemented by grants and other funding sources. The BID is currently in operation for 5 years.
The Christchurch BID area
The BID area covers the very heart of Christchurch town centre, including:
BANK CLOSE
BARGATES
BARRACK ROAD
BEACONSFIELD ROAD
BRIDGE STREET
CASTLE STREET
CHURCH LANE
CHURCH STREET
CREEDY DRIVE
DUCKING STOOL LANE
FOUNTAIN WAY
HIGH STREET
MILLHAMS STREET
MILLHAMS STREET NORTH
POUND LANE
PRINCESS AVENUE
QUAY ROAD
QUEENS AVENUE
REGENT WAY
SAXON SQUARE
SILVER STREET
SOPERS LANE
ST MARGARET’S AVENUE
STONY LANE SOUTH
THE QUAY
WHITEHALL
WICK LANE
WICK POINT MEWS
WILLOW WAY
