InExeter celebrates 20 years of BIDs

£1 Billion Invested into UK Towns and Cities

October 2024 marks 20 years since the anniversary of the first business improvement district pilot, with £1bn invested in local services and events to improve towns and cities for communities and business. 

20 BIDs were formed with the original pilot in 2003 and then brought into law with the UK regulations act the following year. InExeter is now one of

340 BIDs operating across the UK. A business improvement district is a defined area of a town or city where a levy is charged on all eligible business rate payers. BID levies are voted for via a ballot which takes place every five years. 

Currently, BIDs invest £152m annually in local economies across the country, helping to support investment in towns and cities. Contributions from Exeter’s business community amount to £500,000 per year invested in improving the city centre.

Day-to-day BID services include street cleaning, removing graffiti, security, connecting businesses and networking. InExeter’s focus this year has been on improving community safety in the city centre as well as delivering award-winning planting and a dedicated street cleansing service to its members.

Nicola Wheeler is CEO of InExeter the Business Improvement District for Exeter: 

"BIDs were created to forge a strong partnership between the public and private sectors, providing a structure for investment that supports city centre businesses. We are agile, able to mobilise quickly to meet business needs and exist because businesses vote for us to deliver change.

Through strategic investment and partnerships, we’ve improved the public realm and business environment. It’s inspiring to reflect on what’s been achieved over the past 20 years across the country and we’re excited for what’s next. Here's to the next 20!”

Michele Wilby is the CEO Colmore BID and Co-Chair The BID Foundation:

“20 years is a significant milestone in the relationship between the management and development of the public realm and between the public and private sector. BIDs are a key mechanism to enable businesses to have a greater role in the animation, the narrative and the appearance of their towns and city centres.

 Investment in the public realm is vital if we are to continue to create places where people can thrive, and we know the pressures that have been on the public purse over the last decade and a half. As a result, BIDs have proactively stepped into the role of delivering cultural activity, of attracting visitors and enhancing tourism locally, as well as connecting and empowering the voice of business on both a local and regional level.