Lancaster businesses vote ‘yes’ to Business Improvement District
Businesses in Lancaster have voted yes to continuing the city centre’s Business Improvement District (BID) for a further five years.
Turnout in the ballot was 36% (156 votes cast) with 79% of the individual business votes in favour and 84% in favour by rateable value size.
The vote was independently managed by UK Engage. The successful ballot means that the Lancaster BID will remain in position until March 2031, with a projected £1.75million of income being used to attract shoppers and visitors to the city centre over the next five years.
Councillor Martin Bottoms, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration, said: “It is fantastic news that Lancaster’s businesses have again voted ‘yes’ to the Business Improvement District. Since its creation the BID has delivered high quality events and festivals to draw people into Lancaster, made the centre’s streets safer and more attractive, and acted as a voice for the centre’s businesses. It will now be able to continue its pivotal role in securing a successful and prosperous future for the district and the city council looks forward to working alongside BID members for a further 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. Lancaster BID was established following a successful vote in 2012 and was voted in again in 2015 and 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 £9,000 or more, contribute a 1.85% levy. This money is then spent on projects and initiatives to increase footfall in the city.
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.
Phil Simpson, one of the directors of the Lancaster BID Management Board, said: "This is great news for the Lancaster BID team, the businesses within the district, and the many hundreds of thousands of people who visit each year. Lancaster is a fantastic city and, when it’s united and positive, it really is unbeatable. I’ve got huge hopes for where the city is heading next."
Julie Shaw, BID Director, commented: “It is amazing news that Lancaster BID have received the support from local businesses in securing their votes to take the team into the next term. The BID team and management board are proud to be able to continue to represent and work alongside the Lancaster City Centre business community.”
Sarah Harrison, BID Director and Centre Manager at Marketgate, said: “I am delighted with yet another successful ballot for Lancaster BID. It really highlights the hard work our team and volunteers put into supporting this fantastic city.”
Lancaster BID Manager, Tony Johnson, added: “This is great news for Lancaster! This positive “Yes” vote gives us another 5 years to continue our events and festivals aswell as supporting others. We can expand on our Love Lancaster marketing campaigns and with the BID warden out 7 days a week you can rest assured the city centre will be a safe place to visit. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my two colleagues Tom and Maggie for their commitment over this term, the Management Board for their continuous support, but most of all the businesses and organisations that we represent- they truly are Lancaster BID and the city is richer for having them.”
Last updated: 06 February 2026