Morecambe businesses vote ‘yes’ to Business Improvement District

Businesses in Morecambe have voted yes to renewing the town’s Business Improvement District (BID). 

Turnout in the ballot was 32% with 96% of businesses by number voting in favour. The vote was independently managed by PIN Communications   

The successful ballot means that the Morecambe  BID will now remain in position until September  2031, with £700K levy payers’ money being used to attract visitors to the town  over the next five years.

Business Improvement Districts are based on the principle of charging an additional levy on all business rate payers in a defined area, following a majority vote by those ratepayers.

Morecambe  BID was established following a successful vote in 2015 and was renewed in 2021.

The BID operates on a levy paying system where business ratepayers who lie within the BID area and have a property with a rateable value of £3,500 or more, contribute a 1.5% levy. This money is then spent on projects and initiatives to increase footfall in the town. 

It will now continue to work with the city’s business community to provide services over and above those already provided by the local authorities and set out in their new term delivery plan. 

Last updated: 14 August 2026