Welcome To Skipton BID

What is a BID?

The Local Government Act, which received its Royal Assent on 18th September 2003, introduced Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to the UK.

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined geographical area where businesses are invited to come together to make decisions about improving their trading environment. Through consultation a range of projects and services are agreed and these are then voted upon by all the businesses in the BID area.

A BID is independent of council control and funds are raised by a small supplement on the business rates (in Skipton, this has been set at 1 per cent of rateable value).

All business ratepayers who would pay a levy in the BID had a vote on the projects proposed.

The ballot had to meet two tests:

• First, a simple majority (above 50%) of those voting have to vote in favour.

• Second, those voting in favour must also have represented a majority of the total Business Rateable value.

The successful vote results in the projects and services being implemented through a levy that is charged in addition to standard business rates. This is collected by the council but is handed over to an independent body, Skipton BID Ltd, made up of representatives chosen from those covered by the BID area.

Skipton BID "Yes" Vote

Wednesday 4th Feb 2009
Businesses in Skipton town centre have voted yes for a package of measures designed to stimulate economic activity in the town.

Under the scheme they will pay a one per cent levy on their Business Rateable value to fund a series of projects in Skipton.

The Skipton Business Improvement District (BID) won the backing of 59 per cent of the votes, which represents 73 per cent of the rateable value of those who voted.

The levy invoice will be sent out with the Business Rate demand this April and must be paid by all those businesses who fall into the BID zone, whether they voted for it or not. the Levy will raise more than £500,000 over 5 years to be spent exclusively on Skipton.

"We are delighted that businesses in Skipton have said yes" said Joan Evans, president of Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which promoted the BID. "These are not easy times for businesses, which probably makes the BID all the more important for the town. We can now go ahead and try to bring about the sort of improvements which Skipton businesses want. At some point the economy will improve and we do not want Skipton to be lagging behind when that happens. I am thrilled that businesses have taken a long term view."

The Skipton BID was the 102nd in the UK and the 85th to say yes. For more than half the businesses involved, the BID will add less than £100 to their annual rates bill.