Eva Stuetzenberger City Centre BID Development Manager Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) Giving a first-class experience day and night

Content What is a BID? How is it implemented? How is it funded? What are the benefits? The technical stuff Proposed City Centre BID Why do we need it? What is it trying to achieve? What is the BID area and BID detail? How much would I have to pay? Who decides if it goes ahead? How can I get involved?

What is a BID? A Business Improvement District (BID) is an opportunity for businesses within an area to join together to fund projects that deliver improvements and address specific issues. BID services must always be additional to those provided by the local authority. Successful BIDs generally: Improve the trading conditions for businesses Improve the physical surroundings Increase the competitiveness of the local area Increase safety and welcome in the local area Generate increased footfall and visitor spend Reduce the operating costs for businesses

How is a BID implemented? Businesses identify projects or services that will improve their area. BID partnership/team develops BID proposal. Ballot on BID proposal – every business gets a vote. If ballot in favour, every business pays the BID levy – FAIR! Funds ring fenced and used to deliver activities developed and voted on by the businesses.

How is a BID funded? A BID is funded by the local businesses within the BID area. Qualifying businesses pay a levy on the rateable value of the business. City Council collects the levy. Funds are ring-fenced and used solely to fund the BID programme agreed with the businesses.

What are the ? A BID: gives businesses a voice and power to improve their local area; allows businesses self-management and self-funding; provides sustainable funding for an agreed period of time; is fair, clear and transparent; builds partnership between the public and private sectors; can leverage additional investment into the area.

The technical stuff Concept from US – highly successful Enabling legislation - since 2004 Over 200 BIDs in UK – 5 in Bristol Defined area and business focus BID proposal voted on by rate payer or property owner Dual key majority needed at ballot BID term – up to 5 years Fair and transparent BID levy, based on Rateable Value Agreed local authority baseline services remain

Proposed City Centre BID

Why do we need a City Centre BID? To improve the city centre and address issues, including: Night time economy issues (threat of Late Night Levy) Struggling businesses Underutilised / neglected public realm Not a destination Access limitations Reputational issues

What is the City Centre BID trying to achieve? Vision: “Giving a first-class experience day and night” The BID aims to make the city centre: safer and more welcoming, both during the day and at night; more attractive and inviting; a cultural destination that we can promote positively to regular customers and new visitors; more accessible and better connected; easier and cheaper to do business in.

Proposed City Centre BID Area The proposed BID area represents the heart of Bristol City Centre and incorporates the areas around: Old City & King Street The Centre Promenade Park Street & College Green Parts of Harbourside

Proposed City Centre BID Area

All businesses (except offices + some other exemptions) within the City Centre BID area; with a Rateable Value of £12,000 or more; pay a levy of 1.5% of Rateable Value; for duration of 5 years. City Centre BID details The BID would generate approx. £1.5 million over 5 years to be invested in the city centre!

How much will I have to pay? At 1.5% levy, the indicative costs to a business would be Rateable valueAnnual levyWeekly cost £12,000£180£3.46 £25,000£375£7.21 £50,000£750£14.42 £100,000£1,500£28.84 £500,000£7,500£144.23

Who decides if the City Centre BID goes ahead? It is solely up to YOU, the businesses! The rate payer (occupier) is eligible to vote (or property owners in the case of vacant units)

How can I get involved? The BID is developed by the city centre businesses, for the city centre businesses – so please get involved and tell us what you would like to see happen in the city centre. BID team will consult in many ways: Face to face conversations with businesses BID business survey BID business workshops BID newsletter Presentations at various relevant business forums

BID timescales and next steps NEXT STEPSTIMING Develop BID database + social media campaignOngoing throughout BID Working Group 25 th June 15 BID survey / questionnaireJul 15 Newsletter with survey outcomesOct 15 BID Working Group (half-way celebrations)Oct 15 Series of workshopsNov/Dec 15 BID Working GroupJan 16 Draft BID proposalJan/Feb 16 Consultation on draft proposalFeb 16 Newsletter with consultation outcomesApr 16 Final BID proposalMay/June 16 BID ballot Aug/Sep 2016 BID start Nov 2016

Visit our new City Centre BID website

Contact City Centre BID Team Eva Stuetzenberger City Centre BID Development Manager Tel: James Lane City Centre BID Development Assistant Tel: John Hirst Destination Bristol Chief Executive Tel: Address: Destination, 53 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4LH Web:

Any Questions?