Frequently Asked Questions

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a model that is made possible by national legislation. This allows businesses to come together in a formal way and vote if they would like a BID to be in place in an area – if this passes, the proposed levy is then charged to all businesses in the designated area over a set period (usually 5 years). There are over 350 BIDs in the UK and each operates differently within this national legislation.

A specially created not-for-profit company has been created, the directors of this company are representatives of the three area companies and the businesses they represent. If the ballot is successful, this company would be responsible for delivering the BID and will be governed and accountable to a board representative of the three areas.

Following consultation, a defined area and proposed levy is put forward for eligible businesses to vote on – it is a simple ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ question of if they would like the BID to exist. If over 50% of businesses vote YES – both out of the total number of votes cast and by the rateable value of those who voted, the BID proposal will pass and come into effect.

If a BID proposal is successful and it is brought into effect, the levy is charged to all businesses in the defined area regardless of how they voted, for the duration of the period proposed. It is collected and administered by the local authority.

• If your property has a rateable value of £12,000 or over: It is proposed that the annual BID levy for your property will be charged at 1.8% of your rateable value.

• If your property has a rateable value of between £5,000 and £11,999: Instead of charging your levy as a proportion, it is proposed you would pay a set annual ‘Small Business’ levy of £150 to ensure you can benefit from the BID’s services.

• If your property has a rateable value of below £5,000: You won’t be charged a levy or be able to vote in the BID Ballot, but if successful you will be welcome to pay a voluntary levy to benefit from the services that the BID provides. You can view the estimated levy that your property would pay on the first page of the letter we have sent you.

You can check your property’s rateable value online at www.voa.gov.

BID proposals should reflect the wishes, needs and concerns of businesses that are being asked to vote for them – so it’s vitally important that you have your say. Throughout December each area group will be holding events and will be contactable to discuss your aspirations for the area, the potential BID and help shape the proposals.

A BID can only deliver services over and above what a local authority or statutory service (like the Police) can provide. As part of the proposal we have to establish baselines (minimum that is committed) from statutory services and these reflected in the business plan.

All three areas have a proven and long-standing relationship with these statutory partners and so are working closely to not only provide a baseline, but also establish service levels and working arrangements to improve service delivery across the board.

If successful, the proposed Independents’ BID will come in place from the 1st June 2023 – for a period of 5 years. The annual levy will be chargeable on this date and subsequent anniversaries during the term.

It is important to note that businesses cannot pay two BID levies.

• Bold Street, Renshaw Street and parts of Ranelagh Street: A number of businesses that we are looking to include in this new BID currently fall into the Retail & Leisure BID area operated by Liverpool BID Company. Should the businesses in these areas tell us they wish to be in the Liverpool Independents’ BID, we will include them in the ballot and they will automatically become BID members on the 1st June 2023 when the Retail & Leisure BID lapses.

• Accommodation Providers: If you are in the proposed Liverpool Independents’ BID area and classified as “a hotel, serviced apartment or accommodation provider” you will only be included in the Liverpool Independents’ BID if your hereditament’s rateable value is under £45,000. If it is over this amount, you are already a member of the Accommodation BID, operated by Liverpool BID Company, and as such cannot pay a second levy or vote in this ballot.

There is currently a late night levy in place for Liverpool and at this time businesses who pay a BID Levy are exempt from paying this – often meaning a financial saving to that business.

Late night levy is currently being reviewed by Liverpool City Council and it is expected that this consultation will consider the impact BIDs have going forward.

Absolutely not. One of the strengths of this partnership is the strong identity and community each area group brings. The proposed BID will be an umbrella that supports the three areas, their identity and outward facing messages. Each area group will continue as it does now, hopefully with additional funding and resources.

As part of the partnership approach we are proposing, each area will have a ring-fenced budget to be spent on their area, less any collection fees or shared costs.

This means that the budgets generated will directly be spent “hyper-locally” and benefit the areas that they are collected in – whilst benefiting from larger economies of scale through the umbrella partnership.

There is an absolute commitment from all involved of full transparency on finances. What is collected, budgeted and spent will be available to all BID members.

All businesses eligible to vote will receive the final business plan, containing budgets and project outlines in early January, once consultation has been completed.

No, not at all. The opportunity to form a strong, independent and formal partnership which has a legal standing brings other benefits as well as the additional funding.

The proposed BID Body would have a seat at strategic conversations taking place in the city as well as have larger bargaining power when it comes to having a say on services and improvements.

We are committed to working in close partnership with businesses, city agencies, the other BID company and representatives to achieve value for money and the best outcomes for businesses in the three areas.

Get in touch by emailing info@independents.bid or come along to a planned stakeholder event - there is still time to shape the proposals to ensure your business will benefit.