Ashby Business Improvement District

The Ashby Business Improvement District (BID) launched in July 2022 and will be investing more than £1m over 5 years to help promote and shape Ashby and bring more people to visit the Town.

In July 2021 Ashby Businesses voted in favour of creating a Business Improvement District (BID) for the town. The BID has been developed, funded and will be managed by the towns businesses to make the improvements set out in the Ashby BID Business Plan.

For more information on the Ashby BID or if you wanted to get involved in supporting the town you can contact the Ashby BID Managers directly:

Stuart Benson                                                           
Ashby BID Manager                                                  
stuart@ashbybid.co.uk                                               
07842 244267                                                        

For more information on the Ashby BID and to view the full business plan or please visit the Ashby BID website www.ashbybid.co.uk

BID - Frequently Asked Questions

1.      What does ‘BID’ stand for?

Business Improvement District

2.      Do I have to pay this bill?

Yes. The BID Levy is a mandatory levy and the consequences of not paying it mirror the consequences of not paying your business rates.

3.      Why do I have to pay?

The person or organisation liable to pay the non-domestic rates for the property is liable to pay the BID levy.

 A BID proposal was put together and after a consultation period it went out to ballot on 30th July 2021. Following a positive outcome, the BID Levy came into force with effect from 1st April 2022. This means that all qualifying properties within the designated area are bound to inclusion within the BID for five years, regardless of whether you voted or not.

 All new occupants after this date will be subject to the BID terms along with any new properties brought into the Valuation List after the commencement date.

4.      Are there are exclusions from this levy?

There are a few exemptions from this charge:

  • Any property with a rateable value below £2,500
  • Non-retail charities with no trading income and are predominately volunteer based / non-profit making organisations with an entirely subscription and volunteer based set up.
  • Businesses that fall into the following sectors – industrial / manufacturing / storage / workshop (however these should have already been filtered out from the property descriptions) 
  • Minimum levy payment of £100.00 per assessment
  • Maximum levy payment capped at £23,000 per assessment
  • There is NO exemption for empty properties – as with business rates either the owner of the lease holder is responsible for payment.

5.      Are there are reliefs or discounts for this levy?

Small private sector businesses (those with a rateable value of less than £20,000) with multiple hereditaments, under the same company name or

individual name, will be able to get 50% discount on their total levy liability.

6.      What do the different codes mean on the system?

As the BID Levy is based on a specific area, the Rateable Value differs from one property to the next. Therefore, as this scheme has a minimum charge, there are two codes on the system:

  • FXD2227    this is for all properties under £5,000 rateable value that will attract the minimum charge of £100.00 per annum.
  • BD202226  this is for all properties with a rateable value of £5,000 or over that will attract a charge of 2.0% of the rateable value – capped at £23,000 per annum.

7.      Can I pay this bill by instalments?

If you are struggling to pay this in one instalment, you can apply to Ashby BID Company via email to request up to three monthly instalments. If approved they will contact us to advise accordingly.
“ Minimum threshold of £1000 per single levy bill before consideration of a payment plan”

8.      What are the consequences of NOT paying the BID Levy?

  • Reminder – only one will be issued per financial year
  • Summons to appear before the Local Magistrates Court incurring further costs of £49.00
  • Liability Order granted by the Local Magistrates Court incurring further costs of £28.50
  • Enforcement Agents instructed incurring further costs

9.      I have other businesses outside of Ashby Town Centre and I do not have to pay a BID Levy on them, why do I have to pay for my business in Ashby?

The BID was approved by ballot on 30th July 2021. All businesses within the BID boundary (at the time) were asked to vote on whether they wanted to have a ‘BID’ scheme operating in Ashby. It was a positive outcome and all business premises within the designated area now attract a BID Levy. The 30th July 2021 ballot was a binding decision on all businesses. There is no opt-out available.

10.  My business premises are empty. Do I still have to pay the BID Levy?

Yes you do.  If you are selling the property or looking to rent it out – you can contact the Ashby BID Company who will try to help you. For example, they may be able advertise it on their website for you.

11.  My business is a charity do I have to pay the BID? I do not pay business rates because it’s a charity.

The BID Levy has no inclusion of charitable relief within its scheme. You could make a written application to the Ashby BID Company if you wish them to consider your circumstances. It may be a decision for the BID Board members to consider though. Until then the Levy must be paid accordinglyas there is no guarantee that an award may be made.

12.  Who runs the BID? Is it the Authority?

The Authority bill and collect the BID Levy as it is a requirement by law. The Ashby BID Company run the BID projects and decide how the money collected is spent in coalition with the BID Payers.

13.  How long will I have to pay this BID Levy for?

Each BID term is for 5 years. It is billed annually and commenced from 1st April 2022 and will cease on 31st March 2026. However, the first invoices were not issued until July 2022 and have a payment date of 1st August 2022.

 Should this scheme prove successful, the BID Company may conduct a ballot within the 4th/5th year to consider another 5 year term.

14.  What are the Ashby BID Company’s contact details?

Address: Legion House, South Street, Ashby De La Zouch, LE65 1BQ

 Web:         www.ashbybid.co.uk

 Contacts:   stuart@ashbybid.co.uk  and  emma@ashbybid.co.uk

These are both the managers’ and they work part time.

Last updated: Wed 6 December, 2023 @ 15:59