What is a BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led not-for-profit organisation that is funded through a levy collected from businesses within a defined area. With the money collected the BID then delivers additional services to the businesses within the BID area, making improvements to the town centre, benefiting those who pay into it as well as residents and visitors who live and visit Eastleigh. BIDs are created through a ballot process and there are currently more than 300 BIDs operating across the UK.

A Business Improvement District is a defined area in which a levy is charged on all business rate payers in addition to the business rates bill. This levy is used to develop projects which will benefit businesses in the local area.

There is no limit on what projects or services can be provided through a Business Improvement District. The only requirement is that it should be something that is in addition to services provided by local authorities. Improvements may include, but are not limited to, extra safety/security, cleansing and environmental measures.

Eastleigh BID area map 2023

How we are funded

The BID levy is applied to all eligible business rate payers within the defined area of Eastleigh BID with a rateable value of £5,000 or more. The 2025/26 levy rate is 1.8% and will be charged to each eligible rate payer using the non-domestic ratings list as calculated using 2023 NNDR rating list. Subsequent years use the same 2023 RV tables for the life of the BID.

There is no upper cap. All have to pay, including charitable organisations, as they benefit from being in the town centre that we serve. The levy is charged annually at the start of the tax year in one bill.

This allows us the opportunity to represent our levy payers in adding value and making a difference.

The BID levy is a mandatory charge, enforceable in the same way as non-domestic rates, following a successful ballot. There are no exemptions or discounts to the levy for charitable status, mandatory rate relief or businesses paying other service charges.

All premises with a rateable value of less than £5,000 within the BID area will be exempt from paying the levy and therefore will not be eligible to vote in the ballot. The levy is due on 1st April each year and will be payable in full in one single instalment.

There will be no refund if the BID levy payer vacates the premises during the year, therefore steps should be taken to apportion liability with incoming tenants, landlords or freeholders. Where new properties come into the ratings list, or mergers or splits occur, the hereditament or premises, will be charged as per the current ratings list at that time. Where a property is empty, the levy liability will transfer to the eligible ratepayer which may be the property owner.

*Rateable hereditaments can include land and buildings constructed on land, machinery, plant, and chattels e.g.car parks and cash points.