About the BID
What is a BID?
A BID is a business-led and business funded body formed to improve a defined commercial area. Businesses in
this area are consulted and listened to, which means that they have a genuine voice to decide and direct what
improvements they want for the area.
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 an enhanced streetscene – all of which lead to higher business turnover. BIDs are also proven to deliver specific benefits to businesses in many other ways.
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 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 – and we believe that recent circumstances make a BID for Christchurch even
more essential for the coming years.
How a BID helps businesses
There are more than 300 BIDs operating across the UK and 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 money that is generated
The BID area generates approximately £130,000 per year, which is also supplemented by grants and other funding sources. The BID is currently in operation for 5 years, meaning that approximately £650,000 of improvements will be generated for the town.
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
