BID Leicester succeeds in securing second five-year term after strong winning ballot vote

City centre businesses have voted emphatically in favour of a second term for the Business Improvement District, which will see £4.5m invested in Leicester city centre over the next five years.
The result was announced today, with a total of 89% majority of ‘YES’ votes received, representing a 94% majority by rateable value, from a 57% turnout. Business owners received one vote for each business unit owned or occupied with a rateable value of £20,000 or more.

The BID’s second term will begin in February 2023, with a new five-year plan focusing on raising the profile of the city through a new programme of high-quality events and marketing, creating a cleaner, greener, and safer environment, and providing a stronger business voice. The proposal for the second term, set out in the BID Leicester 2023-28 Business Plan, also includes the involvement of the University of Leicester as a top-rate voluntary member. This will help students, graduates, and staff to connect with and enjoy city centre businesses, as well as enabling the University to play a key role in the BID’s Board. During the new term the BID’s geographic boundary will expand to encompass part of the Waterside area, including Leicester’s newest bowling and leisure destination Lane 7, located in the recently developed Grand Central Station.

Simon Jenner, BID Leicester Director, said “We would like to thank our members for this fantastic vote of confidence, which highlights the BID’s impact in the city centre and is a testament to their support of our vision for the following five years.”

“The vote is a sign of commitment from city centre businesses to the power of working in partnership and recognises the BID’s important role as a collective voice for the city centre. BID Leicester is incredibly proud of what has achieved in its first term and the quality of the projects, campaigns and events that have been delivered.”

“We’re enthusiastically looking forward to another five years of working together with businesses and partners in the city to continue the great work which we have started.”

BID Leicester Chair and McDonalds Franchisee owner, Angus Fraser added: “The BID’s success in securing a second term is great news for Leicester city centre. As a city centre business owner, I have experienced the direct impact that the BID has had on the city centre; from increased footfall and sales during BID sponsored events such as Light up Leicester and Bring the Paint, to an improvement in the attractiveness and cleanliness of the city overall due to BID initiatives and additional street washing services. Leicester has achieved a strong recovery in the wake of the pandemic, and this collaborative investment in the city centre will help to ensure that the city goes from strength to strength.”

BID Leicester represents more than 580 businesses in the city centre. Since its formation, it has delivered on key objectives with the aim to raise the profile of the city through high-quality events and marketing, create a cleaner, safer environment and provide a strong business voice.