Amanda McLoughlin
Discover Twickenham BID Manager
What is a BID?
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a collaborative not for profit, community organisation through which all businesses in an area can work together to increase custom and improve the local environment. A BID exists to co-ordinate delivery of initiatives that will not be provided by the Council, that local businesses believe are important and valuable.
What is the legal basis for the BID Levy?
The legal basis for BIDs in the UK are legally defined by the Local Government Act 2023 and The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004 The Regulations set out how BIDs can be established, how ballots should operate and how the BID levy should be collected and accounted for.
A BID is set up with the authorisation of the Secretary of State, you can see more information about how they are set up and operate on the Government website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/business-improvement-districts . There are now over 300 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) operating across the UK. Locally there are also BIDs in Richmond, Wimbledon, Kingston & Putney for example.
Discover Twickenham BID’s current term ends in 2024 and we will be asking businesses to support the BID for a further 5 year term in the autumn of 2023.
What is the BID Levy for?
We strive to improve the whole local Twickenham area to make it more attractive to visitors, residents and those working in the area. Our business plan for 2024-2029 is here.
Discover Twickenham BID promotes the local area and put on events to increase footfall for high street businesses, such as Christmas, Diwali, Chinese New Year celebrations, the Big Screen in summer and the popular music festival High Tide.
We also work to improve the public realm (pavement jetwashing, hanging baskets, Christmas lights for example) as well as saving businesses money through discounted waste management and improved recycling services.
Having a vibrant, attractive and well maintained local area encourages inward investment from new businesses, supports staff retention and improves the overall well-being of those working in or visiting the area.
Discover Twickenham maintains a significant number of defibrillators in venues around the area and fund training to ensure staff know how to use them, we hope they are never needed but if they can save a local life then we feel this is worth investing in. We also offer training such as first aid, health & safety and fire safety training for all our BID businesses.
BID levy members’ ideas about any new initiatives they would like to see offered are always welcome. Please contact us with any suggestions you may have.
Who votes and how long is it in place?
For a BID to be put in place, there must be a consultation with the businesses in that area to establish what improvements they want and may be prepared to pay for. A BID Proposal is then produced and a postal ballot held for businesses to vote for the future of the DIB.
For the BID to go ahead, two conditions must be met; firstly, a majority of those voting have to vote ‘yes’ and secondly those ‘yes’ votes have to represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of all votes cast. Just like in other public elections, there is no minimum turnout threshold. If these conditions are fulfilled, payment of the levy becomes mandatory for all eligible businesses. A BID will only be established if the majority of businesses, by number and rateable value, want it.
Each BID term is 5 years, at the end of the term all eligible businesses will be invited to vote again for a further five year term. The ballot is conducted by the local authority’s electoral services department.
Who runs the BID?
The BID is governed by a Board of Directors which is made up from local levy paying business owners or representatives who offer their time on a voluntary basis. The board also includes council representation in the form of a local Councillor and an adviser to the board.
The BID board meets quarterly to develop strategy, review progress and approve the budget.
We welcome applications to join the Board from other levy paying businesses. Contact us to find out more.
Do I have to pay the BID Levy if I moved in after the ballot?
Yes, once a BID is in place all businesses in the designated area are liable to pay the mandatory levy. Each BID term is 5 years.
You will receive a BID Levy bill along with your Business Rates demand in March each year. Do let us know when your business opens and we can make sure you are added to our mailing list and benefit from our services and projects.
Do all businesses pay the BID Levy in the area?
Yes, all businesses with a rateable value over £12,000 are liable to pay the levy.
No business can opt out of the levy and businesses contribute different amounts in proportion to their size. This guarantees that larger corporate organisations contribute the most and that this money is used locally to benefit the Twickenham community.
How is the BID Levy calculated?
The billing mechanism for BIDs is based on the business rates system of rateable values set by the government’s Valuation Office Agency.
The Twickenham BID Levy is calculated at 1.59% of the properties rateable value as at the chargeable year (1st March each year). Capped at £10,000.
Who collects the BID Levy?
In accordance with Government guidelines, the BID Levy is collected by the Billing Authority, in our case Richmond Council.
For any levy payer who is experiencing any difficulties in making a levy payment, it is possible to apply for a payment plan. Payment plans must be applied for to the Rates team at the Council.
For this or if you have any other specific billing enquiries, please contact businessrates@richmond.gov.uk
How do I pay BID Levy bill?
The BID levy bill is sent to you by post from Richmond Council.
You can pay online via the council website here.
Or you can make an online bank transfer using these bank details:
Bank: NatWest Bank
Account Name: LBRUT NNDR
Sort Code: 60-22-03
Account Number: 63459507
Please ensure you quote your BID Account number as the Ref when you pay and send a remittance advice to: businessrates@richmond.gov.uk
What if I move out of the area after I have paid the annual BID Levy?
Whoever is liable for the property on the chargeable day (1st March each year) is liable for the full year’s levy.
Do I have to pay the BID Levy if the premises are vacant?
Empty buildings are still liable for the BID Levy either by the lease holder or, if no lease is in effect, the property owner.
Still have questions or want to get involved?
If you would like to discuss anything further, please get in touch with the BID.
If you are a local BID member business and you would like to influence and contribute to the work of the BID in Twickenham please do get in touch. This is your BID, your money and your local community so have a say in how the money is used.