Over the last ten years we have achieved a lot together, but in these uncertain times we need to ensure that we create a new business plan which will be fit for purpose for the next five years, allowing us to build upon what we have already achieved and ensure that our businesses can take advantage of the new opportunities which are emerging in Northampton.
Over the next few months there will be a number of opportunities for businesses to get involved in developing the new plan and having a direct say in the future of Northampton. There has never been a more important time to work together and build on what we achieved. Your support and involvement are really appreciated.
Sali Brown – Chelton Brown
Andrea Smith – Franklins Solicitors LLP
Co-Chairs of Northampton Town Centre Ltd
In order to develop the new business plan we need your thoughts, ideas and aims for the future. We are circulating a survey form and making this available digitally so that we can understand your views on the different projects which have been undertaken and identify those issues which you consider are important to your business in the future.
We would be very grateful if you could spend a few moments in completing the survey and giving us a call to let us know when we can collect it or indeed feel free to download it, complete it and email back to info@northamptonbid.co.uk.
We also aim to contact a significant number of you from across Northampton to meet up and discuss your thoughts personally. Your input is vital in identifying priorities for the future and shaping the new business plan. We appreciate your help and if you would like to arrange for someone to come and see you to discuss your ideas in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact the Northampton BID Manager, Mark Mullen on 01604 837766 or email info@northamptonbid.co.uk.
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined geographical area within which the businesses vote to invest collectively in local improvements to enhance their trading environment. The mechanism for developing and operating a BID are governed by the BID Regulations 2004 which are part of the Local Government Act 2003.
The BID Business Plan identifies key objectives to be addressed, with the BID team and businesses delivering projects against action plans to fulfil these objectives. BIDs are business led with the Board and Committees consisting of volunteers from BID Businesses.
A key aspect of a BID is to ensure that anything delivered by the BID to the area is additional to any services provided by public bodies. As part of the development of the BID Proposal and Business Plan, baseline statements are drawn up with the Council and the Police, identifying the services they agree to provide during the life of the BID. Establishing close working relationships with the council, police authority and other recognised agencies also means that the needs of the local business community can be better understood and acted upon.
There are over 320 established BIDs in the UK operating on a five-year term. Towards the end of each term, a BID can be renewed by proposing a new Business Plan which businesses vote on to confirm whether they would like the BID to continue.
The delivery of the BID business plan is funded by businesses and organisations in business rated properties in the BID area and aims to be both fair and transparent. As a result of the majority of businesses voting in favour of the Business Plan in February 2021, all businesses and organisations in business rated properties in the area with a rateable value of £5,000 and above have been subject to the BID levy. This method of funding overcomes any problem of a few businesses paying for improvements that benefit the many.
Over the last fourteen years Northampton BID has generated funding through the levy collection and additional funding and in-kind support which has been used to undertake the projects and activities identified by you, the businesses, as part of the BID Business Plan.
Northampton Town Centre Limited (the Company for Northampton BID), is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It has its own board made up of a cross-section of businesses and organisations from the BID area who volunteer their time free of charge. The Board is responsible for ensuring that BID projects and activities are undertaken in accordance with the BID Business Plan and that activities contribute towards the achievement of the overall vision.
Northampton BID has a dedicated BID Project Team that applies a combination of skills in the delivery of the projects identified by the businesses each year in accordance with the BID Proposal and Business Plan.
In short, this is for you, the Northampton businesses, to decide. The vision for 2021–26 was ‘‘Continue to work with all stakeholders to define, develop and promote the identity of Northampton town centre which reflects its strengths, characteristics and heritage and is a sustainable and vibrant place which generates pride for its businesses, local residents and visitors”.
As part of the renewal process, we now need to establish the vision and objectives for the next five years. This will be done in the form of interviews, business workshops, and surveys. The findings from these will be used to form the basis of the BID Business Plan for the next five years and on which businesses will be voting in October/November 2025. This is your opportunity to have a say in helping to identify the key issues and opportunities which businesses want to tackle or take advantage of over the course of 2026–2031.
Subject to a successful renewal ballot, the BID will deliver the changes, improvements and projects over the next five years (2026–2031) which form the Business Plan. The responsibility for ensuring that the BID adheres to the Business Plan as well as remaining financially accountable is that of Northampton BID Board.
It is also important to remember that the BID does not exist to replace the services provided by West Northamptonshire Council and other public bodies. Money generated through the BID is used for the improvements voted for by the businesses in the BID area and to deliver services which would not have happened without the BID.
The benefits of a BID are numerous but include the following:
• Delivery of practical projects and activities across a range of objectives identified and driven by Northampton businesses
• Being part of a mechanism to bring businesses together and act as a collective voice
• Having involvement and a focus on encouraging growth, development and investment in the area
• Benefitting from increasingly effective working relationships between the BID, Northampton businesses and partners, including West Northamptonshire Council
• Leveraging-in of funding and in-kind support in addition to the BID levy and which contributes to projects and activities in the BID area
• A focus on the delivery of measurable improvements to benefit all businesses.
Under the BID regulations the renewal ballot is administered by the Electoral and Democratic Services within the Chief Executive’s Department at West Northamptonshire Council. In order for the proposals set out in the BID Business Plan to go ahead, more than 50% of business ratepayers who vote have to vote ‘YES’. In addition, those in favour also have to represent more than 50% of the combined rateable values of those who vote. If these two criteria are met, the BID is activated for the next five years and all businesses and organisations in business rated properties in the area will be required to pay the BID levy in accordance with the levy criteria.
The new BID Business Plan will be voted on in October/November 2025 by levy-paying businesses and organisations in business rated properties in the area in Northampton.
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 Northampton BID as a great destination and a great place to do business. If you would like Northampton BID to continue, it is vitally important that you vote ‘YES’ so that your view is registered in the ballot.
If you do not vote yes and the thresholds are not met then the Northampton BID will cease operations as of 31st March 2026 together with all its associated projects and activities such as our Hosts, Business Crime prevention, business promotion, events, business support and its collective voice for the Northampton businesses will stop. However, if the BID vote is successful, you will be part of that BID for the next five years regardless of whether you voted or not.
