What is a BID?
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area where local businesses vote to invest collectively in projects that enhance their trading environment. Each BID operates under the BID Regulations 2004 and is guided by a Business Plan that sets out key objectives and actions.

BIDs are business-led, with boards and committees made up of volunteers from BID businesses. Importantly, BID projects must be additional to services provided by public bodies, with agreed baseline statements ensuring this.

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There are over 315 BIDs across the UK, each running on a five-year term. At the end of every term, businesses vote on whether the BID should continue with a new Business Plan.

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How is a BID funded? 
The BID is funded through a levy paid by businesses within the BID area. Following a majority vote in favour of the Business Plan, all businesses with a rateable value of £5,000 or more contribute to the levy. This ensures a fair, transparent system where everyone benefits from shared investment.

Over the last five years, Welwyn Garden City BID has generated over £[insert amount] through levy income, additional funding, and in-kind support. These resources have been used to deliver the projects and improvements identified by you—the local business community—as part of the BID Business Plan.

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Who manages the BID?
Welwyn Garden City BID is managed by Welwyn Garden City BID Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The organisation is overseen by a voluntary Board made up of representatives from a wide range of local businesses. The Board ensures that all BID projects align with the BID Business Plan and support the overall vision for the town centre.

The BID is delivered day-to-day by a dedicated job-share duo of BID Managers, who use their expertise to implement the projects and priorities identified by local businesses each year.

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What are the BID’s vision and objectives?
The vision and objectives of the BID are shaped by you—the businesses of Welwyn Garden City.

For the 2022-2027 term, the vision was: “To create a town centre that is innovative and modern, building on the unique Garden City principles to make it a great place to visit, work and live.”

As we approach renewal, we will be developing the vision and objectives for the next five years.

This will be informed by interviews, business workshops, and surveys. Your feedback will shape the new BID Business Plan, which businesses will vote on in autumn next year.

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This is YOUR opportunity to highlight the key challenges and opportunities you want the BID to address in the upcoming 2027–2032 term.

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How can I be sure my levy is spent appropriately?
If the BID is successfully renewed, all levy income will be used to deliver the projects and improvements set out in the BID Business Plan for the next five years. The Welwyn Garden City BID Board is responsible for ensuring the BID remains financially accountable and operates in line with this plan.

It’s also important to note that BID funds do not replace services provided by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council or other public bodies. Instead, your levy is used exclusively for the additional improvements and initiatives that businesses have voted for—projects that would not happen without the BID.

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How will this benefit my business?
Being part of an award-winning BID brings a range of valuable benefits, which may include:

• Delivery of practical projects and services based on priorities set by Welwyn Garden City businesses

• A strong collective voice, bringing businesses together to influence local issues

• Support for growth, development, and investment in the town centre

• Improved collaboration between the BID, local businesses, and key partners such as Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

• Access to additional funding and in-kind support brought in alongside the levy

• A commitment to delivering measurable improvements that benefit all businesses in the BID area

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How does a BID Renewal Ballot work?
A BID Renewal Ballot is administered by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s legal and democratic services team. For the BID to be renewed, two conditions must be met:

1. More than 50% of voting business ratepayers must vote ‘YES’.

2. Those voting ‘YES’ must represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of all votes cast.

If both thresholds are achieved, the BID is renewed for the next five years, and all eligible businesses within the area will be required to pay the levy in line with the agreed criteria.

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Who decides and when?
The new BID Business Plan will be voted on in the autumn of 2021 by levy-paying businesses in the Welwyn Garden City.
The renewal ballot is your opportunity to create and vote 'YES’ for a new business plan consisting of projects and activities which will maintain and continue to develop the Welwyn Garden City town centre as a great destination and a great place to do business. If you would like the
Welwyn Garden City BID to continue it is vitally important that you vote

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What happens if I don’t vote or vote ‘no’?
If you choose not to vote, you won’t have a say in whether the Welwyn Garden City BID continues. If you vote ‘no’, you are indicating that you do not wish the BID and its projects to continue.

However, if the majority vote is in favour of renewal, the BID will continue for the next five years, and all eligible businesses in the area, including yours, will be part of it regardless of how you voted.

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What happens if the BID is not renewed?
Over the last nine years, the Welwyn Garden City BID has delivered improvements, events, and services that would not have been possible without businesses working together to drive positive change and create a thriving town centre.

If businesses vote not to renew the BID, it will cease operations on 31 March 2027. All BID-led projects and support will come to an end, and businesses will lose their collective voice within town centre groups and partnerships.

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