Frequently Asked Questions
The BID (Business Improvement District) operates by raising a small levy to pay for additional services to help boot the performance of participating businesses. We want everybody to share an ambitious vision for Bradford city centre. Operating on a 5 year term that is voted on by members, we are a not-for-profit organisation, which means every penny raised via the levy is reinvested directly back into the BID area.
This BID has been designed to create a vibrant and thriving city centre that attracts increased footfall from both local people and visitors from elsewhere, so that all our businesses flourish and prosper. Whether people live or work in Bradford or are simply visiting, our goal is that they are motivated to stay for longer, spend more and return more frequently. All BIDs are governed by legislation to ensure fairness and transparency, and Bradford BID is made up of over 20 voluntary directors who give up their time free of charge to oversee the running of the BID. These directors are specifically selected to represent the various sectors that operate in the City Centre.
Bradford BID offer a wide range of projects that benefit both members and non-members of the BID. These include such things as varied events to attract footfall into the city centre, additional deep cleaning, hot washing and chewing gum removal, hanging baskets, graffiti removal and seasonal window art. We have a dedicated BID Patrol Team who are out and about speaking to member businesses and helping to reduce such things as ASB and shop theft. The BID Patrol Team are supported by a 24/7 dedicated “command and intelligence centre” who triage calls from BID member businesses to assist with their enquiry. We offer bespoke training courses, meeting room hire, (which is free to BID member businesses), business savings clinics, networking and social media support to members. We also deliver the ever-popular Bradford city centre gift card, which locks in spend directly into the member businesses, rather than going elsewhere.
No. Bradford BID is totally independent of Bradford Council and is a not-for-profit business, however, we work very closely with the Council as well as several other stakeholders in the City Centre, such as the Police, Homeless Outreach Team, Drug and Alcohol services as well as the third sector. We also lobby hard to support our city centre and were involved in the bid which saw Bradford becoming the designated UK City of Culture for 2025. To ensure governance from a Council perspective, the Council have a representative on the BID Board.
There are currently around 600 BID member businesses. If your business is in the BID area and has a rateable value of over £10,000, you are automatically a BID Member business. This membership includes the traditional bricks and mortar units, servicing retail, leisure, hospitality, and professional sectors, as well as things like car parks, advertising panels and telephone masts! Businesses are charged 1.75% of their rateable value (RV) – so if your rateable value is £10,000, you would pay just £175 per year to access all of the member benefits! The higher your RV, of course, the higher the levy, which evidences big businesses supporting smaller businesses. Regardless of the size of the business, all are able to access the member benefits.
If you are in the BID demise area, and your rateable value is under £10,000 you can apply to become a voluntary member, which costs £175 per year. This allows you to access all of the member businesses, however you are not entitled to vote when the next term ballot opens.