We are delighted to have received positive support from our business community in the Worcester BID ballot.
We received 94% backing by total number of votes and 98% support by Rateable Value of all properties that voted.
This is a fantastic increase from the 2019 ballot, where we received 84% of votes and 83% support by Rateable Value.
A message from the CEO and Worcester BID Board of Directors
BID 4 Business Plan
Your City and Us
How You Rated Us
BID 4 for Worcester BID 4 Us
What you get with a vote for YES
Ballot FAQs
Ballot Details
Ballot Results
A message from the CEO and Worcester BID Board of Directors
As we approach the end of our third five-year term, representing almost 15 years of Worcester BID, it’s appropriate to reflect on the positive impact of our many projects within the Worcester business community.
From stand-out management of award winning safety partnerships developing facilities for safer streets, to enhancing the city through up-cycling existing infrastructure and engaging local artists to animate
our streets. We have delivered on our promise and pride ourselves in ensuring maximum value is given back to you, our levy payers.
During the pandemic, it goes without saying that the business community was severely impacted. Worcester BID was a vital and valued source of information and played a key role in the reopening and relaunching of the city. Supporting businesses to secure grants, providing training and advice on reopening with the implementation of new guidelines. Seeking opportunities and securing £110,000 of additional income within year 1 of the five-year term to support with welcoming back locals and tourists to the city and to invest in you, the businesses, via peer-to-peer networks and training.
Through strong partnership working with local stakeholders, we make sure the business community has a strong and influential voice in matters affecting the city centre, so that we
can make a positive contribution to future decision-making as the city develops. The BID’s support and advice on the Towns Fund Board during the consultation and creation of proposals for Levelling Up Funding ensures that businesses have an important stake in the future of our great city.
Worcester BID has delivered against the aspirations set out by the business community when we began. Through our recent consultation, we’ve listened to what you want to see more of, the issues which we
need to address and shared ideas to make Worcester the very best it can be. We want to continue this work with you. A vote for another five years will mean a further £2 million plus invested in our city centre. That will allow us to build on safer streets and stronger communities, to be strong leaders to allow for change and to develop the city centre landscape, enhancing areas of the city centre, as well as promotional activity putting us on to the map.
Together we are a stronger voice, and we look forward to more shared success. We look forward to a fourth term and all that we can deliver for Worcester together.
Ballot Timeline
Notice of Ballot
The formal Notice of Ballot has been sent to all voters on 19th September by Civica Election Services on behalf of Worcester City Council, the ballot holder. Every voter received a printed copy of the BID3 Business Plan together with the Notice of Ballot.
Notice of Ballot
The formal Notice of Ballot has been sent to all voters on 19th September by Civica Election Services on behalf of Worcester City Council, the ballot holder. Every voter received a printed copy of the BID3 Business Plan together with the Notice of Ballot.
Start of Ballot
Ballot papers will be sent to voters by Civica Election Services on behalf of Worcester City Council, the ballot holder. The ballot paper will be accompanied by a pre-paid return envelope and the Ballot Arrangements document outlining information about the process and key dates including application for proxy votes and replacement papers.
The ballot will be conducted entirely by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services of 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. To be counted, the ballot paper must be received by CES no later than 5pm on Thursday 31st October 2019. Ballot papers should be returned as soon as possible to avoid postal delays.
Proxy Vote Application Deadline
Persons eligible to vote in the BID ballot may appoint someone else to vote on their behalf (for example, if they are going to be away at the time of the ballot). Applications to appoint a proxy must be submitted to Civica Election Services (CES) no later than 5pm on Monday 21st October 2019.
An application for the appointment of a proxy must be made in writing and:
- state the full name and address of the person whom the person entitled to vote (the applicant) wishes to appoint as a proxy;
- state the address(es) of the applicant’s hereditament or hereditaments;
- be signed by the applicant; and
- contain a statement by the applicant that the proxy so named has been consulted and is capable and willing to be appointed.
The letter should be addressed to The Independent Scrutineer, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Alternatively, you can email bids@cesvotes.com
A proxy appointment may be cancelled by notifying CES at the address above no later than 5pm on Saturday 26th October 2019.
CES sometimes receive proxy applications during the process, which are acted on in line with the regulations. The application of a proxy sometimes causes confusion. CES’ view is the following:
- The appointment of a proxy does not automatically require a new paper to be sent out. If a further paper is required it would be subject to the regulation for lost papers.
- A ratepayer cannot be their own proxy – this is considered to be an invalid application (this occasionally happens due to a misunderstanding of point a).
- A proxy does not necessarily need to be appointed if the “named voter” at the company is not available- any person who is eligible as a “ratepayer” for the company is able to complete and sign the ballot paper.
Please contact CES if you require further clarification.
Start of Ballot
Ballot papers will be sent to voters by Civica Election Services on behalf of Worcester City Council, the ballot holder. The ballot paper will be accompanied by a pre-paid return envelope and the Ballot Arrangements document outlining information about the process and key dates including application for proxy votes and replacement papers.
The ballot will be conducted entirely by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services of 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. To be counted, the ballot paper must be received by CES no later than 5pm on Thursday 31st October 2019. Ballot papers should be returned as soon as possible to avoid postal delays.
Proxy Vote Application Deadline
Persons eligible to vote in the BID ballot may appoint someone else to vote on their behalf (for example, if they are going to be away at the time of the ballot). Applications to appoint a proxy must be submitted to Civica Election Services (CES) no later than 5pm on Monday 21st October 2019.
An application for the appointment of a proxy must be made in writing and:
- state the full name and address of the person whom the person entitled to vote (the applicant) wishes to appoint as a proxy;
- state the address(es) of the applicant’s hereditament or hereditaments;
- be signed by the applicant; and
- contain a statement by the applicant that the proxy so named has been consulted and is capable and willing to be appointed.
The letter should be addressed to The Independent Scrutineer, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Alternatively, you can email bids@cesvotes.com
A proxy appointment may be cancelled by notifying CES at the address above no later than 5pm on Saturday 26th October 2019.
CES sometimes receive proxy applications during the process, which are acted on in line with the regulations. The application of a proxy sometimes causes confusion. CES’ view is the following:
- The appointment of a proxy does not automatically require a new paper to be sent out. If a further paper is required it would be subject to the regulation for lost papers.
- A ratepayer cannot be their own proxy – this is considered to be an invalid application (this occasionally happens due to a misunderstanding of point a).
- A proxy does not necessarily need to be appointed if the “named voter” at the company is not available- any person who is eligible as a “ratepayer” for the company is able to complete and sign the ballot paper.
Please contact CES if you require further clarification.
Replacement Paper Applications
Ballot papers that are known to have gone missing can be re-issued four working days before the ballot day, i.e. if you have not received/found your ballot paper by Friday 25th October 2019 you may apply to Civica Election Services (CES) for a replacement paper in writing by supplying ONE of the following:
- A letter in hard copy form along with the appropriate ‘evidence of identity’; or
- A scan of both the letter and the ‘evidence of identity’ attached to an email.
The letter should be addressed to The Independent Scrutineer, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Alternatively, you can email bids@cesvotes.com
The letter must be signed by the Eligible Voter and evidence of the voter’s identity must be provided in the form of ONE of the following:
- A signed Letterhead for the appropriate company; or
- A signed photocopy of the National Non-Domestic Rating Bill for the hereditament; or
- A signed photocopy of an item of personal ID such as a Passport or Driving Licence.
A replacement letter template can be downloaded here. (awaiting CES template)
Upon receipt of the replacement paper, please ensure to cast your vote by return, as all votes must be received by CES by 31st October 2019.
Last postage date to ensure timely delivery
Ballot Closes at 5pm
The ballot will be conducted entirely by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services of 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. To be counted, the ballot paper must be received by CES no later than 5pm on Thursday 31st October 2019.
Count of Votes
Ballot papers will be counted on Friday 1st November 2019, and the result of the ballot will be announced shortly after.
The BID ballot will be successful if the following two criteria are met:
1) More than 50% of businesses that vote must vote Yes by number
2) Of the businesses who vote, the Yes vote must represent more than 50% of the total value of all votes cast.
A third BID term from 2020 to 2025 was successfully backed by city centre businesses.
This is the most successful ballot in the BID’s ten-year history, with 51% turnout and a record 84.9% of city businesses voting in favour by number and with more than 82.8% of businesses by aggregate rateable value in support of another five-year term.
View the official report of voting by CES.
We would like to thank all of the businesses that returned their votes and their continued support of our work in the city centre.
The Ballot Holder is Shane Flynn, Worcester City Council, Electoral Services, The Guildhall, High Street, Worcester WR1 2EY. For further details with regards to the ballot visit www.worcester.gov.uk/elections, phone 01905 722233 or email electoralservices@worcester.gov.uk.
Worcester is a beautiful Cathedral and University City with a fascinating history, located in the heart of the West Midlands on the banks of the magnificent River Severn.
Working to build safer streets, stronger communities & successful businesses.
We boast a wealth of interesting architecture, top-class sports teams and venues, combined with an unrivalled mix of independent boutiques and high street names, and a vibrant programme of events. Worcester BID was established in 2010 with a vision to make Worcester a better place to shop, eat, play and live.
The past fifteen years have seen us deliver demonstrable change and progress across the range of key issues outlined in our Business Plan – a plan directly influenced by, and developed with, businesses
within the city.
Over the last five-year term, the BID has worked tirelessly following the pandemic on building both consumer confidence and attracting locals and visitors back to the city centre. We have demonstrated
strong partnership working and collaboration, as well as leading within the BID industry and supporting other towns and major cities by sharing our best practice.
£6M+
invested in the City Centre in the past 15 years
Worcester BID is focused on delivering projects and services for your benefit, so it is important that we understand what is of greatest value to you.
We ran an extensive consultation process in March 2024 to communicate with all businesses who will be voting in the renewal ballot. A consultation document was produced that was distributed in hard copy and digital format. The printed version was distributed to 100% of business voters and was also made available on our website and emailed out.
Our fourth term will see us building on the strong foundations established over the past fifteen years. Your dedicated BID team will work to provide leadership and representation, to champion business
within the city, and ensure a strong voice on the issues that matter most. We will enhance the trading environment and experience further, generating tangible value and cost savings for businesses, promoting and supporting those living, working, and trading within the city – as well as inspiring new visitors to discover all we have to offer.
We will cover this under:
If the BID ballot is not successful, there is no replacement body that will deliver the objectives, projects and services outlined in this proposal. This is why it is so important you ‘Vote 4 Yes’ in the ballot.
Developing our active and supportive role within the Safer Worcester working group, we will continue to manage and operate the Business Crime Safety Partnership CityNet and co-ordinate activities to support creating safer streets via an expanded Safer Streets Officer programme. This provides businesses with an extra level of support, as well as improving the experience for visitors to the city.
We will work with partners to develop and deliver an enhanced strategy for reducing antisocial behaviour in the city centre by creating shared spaces to give support to the community with a focus on youth engagement to invest in the future of our city.
Securing further investment to continue the running of Worcester Safe Space, expanding the programme from the night-time economy into the day-time, enhancing its offering to monthly healthcare checks, mental health support, dementia support, guidance and youth intervention.
Strengthening our sense of community and providing investments to the city allows both businesses and residents to benefit from the initiatives being delivered.
Worcester BID is the leading partner coordinating multiple agencies to work together to deliver and maintain successful Purple Flag status for the city centre. We will continue to lead the way and work with partners for continuous support to build a safe and vibrant night time economy.
We will expand our Safer Streets Officer hours into the early evening to cover areas of concern and vulnerability to employees during the period of 5pm and 8pm.
£3,000+
Since launching the Safer Streets Officer role in June 2023, we have recovered and returned, on average, £3,000 worth of stolen goods per month, as well as assisted the police with arrests, supported the community by providing first aid response and reassured the city employees that they are not alone and we are here to help.
We are committed to supporting the commercial wellbeing of the city centre and our role is to give the business community a voice to influence decision and policy making across local government.
This will see us continue to take an active position at a local level and across the wider BID network, helping drive change and improvement on national policy affecting members.
We will invest and improve areas of the city centre through enhancements. Cleaning up the city streets, focusing on areas with graffiti, lack of lighting, antisocial behaviour and accessibility.
We will work closely with partners to develop a strategy for Invest 4 Worcester to attract new companies into the city centre, as well as creating demand for new development. We will focus on reducing the visible impact of vacant units and supporting start-up businesses to flourish.
We will grow our opportunities for businesses to up-skill their workforce through a variety of workshops and accredited training programmes.
We’ll provide a coordinated and strong business voice on issues affecting working and conducting business in the city centre.
We will continue to work closely with our excellent local education establishments, maximising opportunities for both students and businesses.
We will monitor funding opportunities and look to maximise investment into Worcester City Centre, such as match funding for BID projects, grants for businesses or improvements to the wider city centre via the Towns Fund Board.
We will grow Worcester’s profile by developing fresh ideas to attract people to the city. We will create new opportunities for our members to produce and showcase their business to growing audiences, as well as through other print and online publications.
We will continue to invest in our seasonal campaigns and offer integrated and varied ways for businesses to be involved, be that through marketing, activities or events. This action will ensure we’re maximising busy periods of the year and boosting footfall during quieter periods.
We will collaborate with our partners at Visit Worcester and Visit Worcestershire to grow the visitor economy and develop large destination marketing projects.
We will look for opportunities to attract filming in the city centre to raise our profile nationally.
We will work with industry bodies such as The BID Foundation and Association of Town and City Management to keep updated nationally and to share best practices to keep us moving forward.
We will build loyalty among those who live, work or regularly visit Worcester – improving the visitor experience for all.
“Upon opening, we met with Sam McCarthy of Worcester BID and were instantly impressed with the range of the offering of support that BID brings to businesses in The City. Since our first meeting, BID have supported us to produce marketing material, source suppliers, have social media training and of late enjoy two great networking events at The Kiln.”
Andy Gallop, Hopmerchants
Ballot FAQs
Worcester Business Improvement District is a business-led and business-funded body, working to improve and promote Worcester city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest.
Following a successful second renewal ballot, the third five-year term of Worcester BID started on 1st April 2020 and will run until 31st March 2025.
Worcester BID is now seeking a fourth term and will be going to ballot on 3rd October 2024. You can learn more about our plans for the fourth term by clicking here.
Results will be made available on November 1st.
As a democratically elected, independent body, Worcester BID enables more than 600 businesses to work collectively to influence and impact on how Worcester city centre is managed and develops.
We are a Company limited by guarantee Registration No. 07188738 and operate under The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.
The ballot is run by the local authority or outsourced by the local authority to a third party. All businesses eligible to pay the levy are balloted.
For a BID to go ahead the ballot must be won on two counts: straight majority and majority of rateable value. This ensures that the interests of large and small businesses are protected. There is no minimum turnout threshold.
The ballot will be conducted entirely by post by the Independent Scrutineer, Civica Election Services of 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Ballot Papers will be sent to those eligible to vote on Tuesday 1 October 2024 for return to them by no later than 5pm on Thursday 31 October 2024 (the “day of the ballot”).
Persons eligible to vote in the ballot will be the non-domestic ratepayer listed on the Council’s database for each hereditament (business premise) situated in the geographical area of the proposed BID as at the date of this Notice. Each person entitled to vote in this ballot shall have one vote in respect of each hereditament occupied or (if unoccupied) owned by them in the geographical area of the proposed BID.
Results of the 2024 ballot for a fourth five-year term will be announced by the ballot holder, Worcester City Council, and be published on the Worcester BID website.
All eligible businesses within the BID boundary with a Rateable Value exceeding £7,500 will be able to vote. And remember the BID can only go ahead if you vote YES.
No. Business rates are collected by Worcester City Council and redistributed at a national level. The council spends the allocated funding on services that are both statutory and discretionary, and businesses have very little say on what these services are. BIDs differ from this as the money is collected locally, ring-fenced and controlled and managed by you. It can only then be spent on initiatives detailed in the business plan that you have agreed to. The BID levy does not pay for anything covered by your business rates.
Each year the BID will produce an annual performance report to show what the BID is delivering and the Return on Investment for levy payers.
Yes, if a majority vote in favour by number and rateable value, the levy will become mandatory. Payment of the levy carries the same enforcement as non-domestic rates.
The BID levy will be charged at 1.85% (1.6% for managed shopping centres) of the rateable value of each hereditament within the BID area that has a rateable value of £7,500 RV or more on the prevailing rating list. Businesses below this threshold are exempt from paying the levy. There will be a cap on contributions from one hereditament to a maximum value of £20,000.
The BID levy may increase by an annual inflationary factor of up to 0.02% (i.e. up from 1.85% multiplier to 1.87 and so on). The Board will be required to decide on whether to apply the inflation factor each year.
Examples of levy calculations can be found below:
| Rateable Value | 1.85% BID levy (standard rate) |
1.6% BID levy (managed shopping centre) |
| £ 7,500.00 | £ 138.75 | £ 120.00 |
| £ 10,000.00 | £ 185.00 | £ 160.00 |
| £ 15,000.00 | £ 277.50 | £ 240.00 |
| £ 20,000.00 | £ 370.00 | £ 320.00 |
| £ 40,000.00 | £ 740.00 | £ 640.00 |
| £ 80,000.00 | £ 1,480.00 | £ 1,280.00 |
| £ 150,000.00 | £ 2,775.00 | £ 2,400.00 |
| £ 300,000.00 | £ 5,550.00 | £ 4,800.00 |
| £ 600,000.00 | £ 11,100.00 | £ 9,600.00 |
| £ 1,000,000.00 | £ 18,500.00 | £ 16,000.00 |
| £ 1,081,081.09+ | £ 20,000.00 | £ 17,297.30 |
Worcester BID activity is delivered over and above the projects and baseline service levels provided by public agencies including the Local Authority.
The projects and services which will be delivered during the five-year BID period are agreed upon and set out in Worcester BID’s 2025-2030 Business Plan (and for the current period, the 2020-2025 Business Plan).
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are defined and performance is monitored by the Worcester BID Board and respective committees.
The annual budget is approved by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors receive regular advice regarding the review and evaluation of projects from the management team prior to making further decisions on spend or reprofiling of expenditure.
Worcester BID has 14 positions on its Voluntary Board of Directors who are representative of levy payers in Worcester. Board Director elections take place at our Annual Meeting in May each year where Directors can be re-elected.
All projects delivered by the BID offer benefit to your business, either directly or indirectly. You can learn more about the projects here but some examples are below:
Direct benefit: Cost-saving programme saving businesses money on utility bills and other services, free advertising via online and print.
Indirect benefit: Marketing the city centre to visitors and tourists via social media, TV and other advertising.
CityNet is a BID service and the rental of the radios is heavily subsidised by BID. There is no alternative organisation able to take over delivery of this service.
A BID has a maximum term of 5 years.
A BID is a Business Improvement District that enables coordinated investment in the management and marketing of a commercial area.
BIDs are now recognised as the most sustainable model of place management with over 340 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in the UK.
Governed by legislation to ensure fairness and transparency, a BID is created for a five year period following a successful ballot.
To succeed at ballot the BID must pass a dual key mechanism – a majority by number and by size (RV) of those who vote and there is no turnout threshold.
The BID ballot, which is a 28-day postal ballot, is run by Worcester City Council as the local authority and therefore the “ballot holder”. BID regulations state that:
“14.-(1) As soon as practicable after the day of the ballot, the ballot holder shall make arrangements for counting the votes cast on such of the ballot papers as have been duly returned (in accordance with paragraph 13(1)) and record the number counted. (2) No person other than the ballot holder and his clerks may be present at the counting of the votes, unless permitted by the ballot holder to attend.”
The reason the ballot papers are counted in private is that business and contact names are on the ballot papers, and how a business votes is private.
The responsibility lies with Worcester City Council’s ballot holder to decide who to issue the notice of ballot and then the subsequent ballot paper to. It is then up to the recipient to decide whether they have the jurisdiction within their business to cast the vote. In the event that a business feels the ballot paper should be re-issued to another person within the business, a proxy application can be made to Civica Election Services, 33 Clarendon Road, London, N8 0NW. The deadline for proxy applications is 5pm on Friday 25 October 2024.
- All Saints Road
- Angel Place
- Angel Row
- Angel Street
- Bank Streat
- Bridge Street
- Broad Street
- Bull Entry
- Castle Place
- Castle Street
- Cathedral Square
- Chapel Walk
- Charles Street (West of City Walls Road) Cherry Tree Walk
- Cheshire Cheese Entry
- Church Street
- City Arcade
- City Walls Road (part)
- Clare Street
- College Green
- College Precincts
- College Street
- College Yard
- Copenhagen Street
- Cornmarket
- Croft Road
- Croft Walk
- Crown Passage
- Deansway
- Dolday
- Edgar Street
- Farrier Street
- Fish Street
- Foregate Street
- Friar Street
- Friary Walk
- Grandstand Road
- High Street
- Hood Street
- Hopmarket Yard
- Infirmary Walk
- Inglethorpe Court
- King Street
- Kleve Walk (Riverside)
- Lychgate
- Malthouse Place
- Mealcheapen Street
- Moreton Place
- Nash’s Passage
- Netherton Court (Arches)
- Netherton Lane
- New Road (South side only and not
- West beyond WCCC)
- New Street
- Newport Street
- North Parade
- North Quay
- Pitchcroft
- Powick walk
- Pump Street
- Quay Street
- Queen Street
- Reindeer Court
- Sansome Street
- Sawmill Walk
- Severn Street
- Shaw Street
- Sidbury (not South/ East of
- Commandery)
- Silver Street
- South Parade
- South Quay
- St Martin’s Gate (car park only)
- St Martin’s Quarter
- St Nicholas street
- St Peters Street
- St Swithin’s Street
- The Avenue
- The Butts
- The Cross
- The Foregate
- The Hopmarket
- The Shambles
- The Trinity
- Trinity Passage
- Trinity Street
- Union Street
- Windsor Row
No. We have established a baseline service provision from the local authorities. They can be found here.
No. A positive result in the ballot will mean that all eligible businesses over the threshold and within the BID boundary are required by law to pay for a 5 year period.
Worcester BID is principally financed by a levy which will be 1.85% of rateable value, in BID4, from eligible businesses and organisations within the BID area. Once a ballot is established in favour of a BID, the BID levy is mandatory for eligible businesses irrespective of how or whether they voted.
The BID levy is paid annually by the occupiers of a property and collected by Worcester BID for use on the projects and services agreed in Worcester BID’s Business Plan.
BID businesses are represented by the BID Company which is governed by a voluntary board of directors from a range of sectors and organisations in the BID area. Levy payers’ views are regularly sought through feedback, forums and individual meetings.
Whilst businesses under the threshold receive the halo benefits of the BID place marketing and improvement projects, we offer a Voluntary BID Membership which enables non-levy payers to be more involved.
As per the Business Improvement District Regulations 2004, Businesses who are below the threshold or outside the BID area and therefore not required to pay the levy, do not have voting rights in any formal ballot.
To keep members updated on activity and progress, Worcester BID provides:
- Annual reports, available online
- Networking events
- BID Breakfasts Bi-monthly
- Social Media Updates
- Weekly email bulletins. If you don’t receive these please contact us
- One-to-one meetings with Worcester BID’s Team and Directors
+ £2 Million Investment into the city
+ Safer Streets Officers
+ Safe Space with medical support
+ CityNet Business Crime Partnership
+ Stock Loss Reduction Partnership
+ City radio scheme connecting to CCTV and Police
+ ASB reduction plans and youth engagement
+ Purple Flag Accreditation
+ Worcester Safety Charter
+ City Centre business voice
+ Invest 4 Worcester
+ Invest in your staff through training
+ Aerial Displays and lighting
+ Marketing & promotion of businesses locally, nationally and internationally
+ Seasonal campaigns
+ Independent promotions
You also gain the BID Board representing a broad range of sectors and size of business for the town centre. The Board are an amazing resource who volunteer their time, for free, to ensure your voices and priorities are the focus of BID activities. You can see who they are here.
There are now over 340 BIDs established and operating across the British Isles and they are growing at a current rate of 12 a year, with 57 in development as of 2024. There are 32 BIDs in the West Midlands.
Voting YES to continue Worcester BID will mean that you can expect a better marketed, maintained and managed city centre; you will be contributing to the £2million (+) invested to improve Worcester over the next five years. And the BID will only go ahead if it receives more YES votes than no votes, by number and Rateable Value.
A ballot of defined business ratepayers in the BID Area will take place from OCTOBER 3RD TO 31ST 2024
Ballot papers will be delivered by post to all businesses eligible. Ballot Papers will be despatched on Tuesday 1 October 2024. The voter must cast their vote and return the ballot paper by 5pm on 31st October 2024.
+ The BID ballot will be successful if the following two criteria are met:
More than 50% of businesses that vote must vote YES by number.
+ Of the businesses who vote, the YES vote must represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of all votes cast.
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE YES
Worcester BID is focused on delivering projects and services for your benefit. Your feedback from the extensive consultation in March - April 2024 directly influenced the contents of the BID 4 Business Plan, in order for us to deliver what is of greatest value to you.
There is no replacement body that will deliver the objectives, projects and services outlined in this proposal.
WHAT IF IT'S A NO?
A NO vote means no investment of £2 million.
An opportunity to invest ring-fenced funding of over £2 million BID local investment in the city centre would be lost - a huge step backwards for our city.
