Ashby working together for a brighter future

The Latest from Ashby BID

By Lisa Roulston 21 Mar, 2024
Introducing the Ashby BID Rangers! A friendly and welcoming presence, who will be operating in Ashby town and the business park areas. Ashby BID have teamed up with Sams Event Control Ltd to carry out a trial over the next few months and they are dedicated to supporting the local community by offering advice, directions as well as serving as a deterrent to potential undesirable behaviors. With direct contact with the CCTV system via the Ashby BID retail radio scheme and having a wealth of local knowledge, Sam and Si are on hand to work with businesses, residents, police and street pastors, to assist with any concerns that may arise. So whether you need assistance or simply wish to say hello, they aim to be a positive presence and are here to ensure a safe and vibrant environment for all. Ashby BID Rangers can help by:  Assisting residents and visitors get the most from Ashby town Providing information on eateries, shops, events, and general local knowledge Make the town centre & business park areas a safer place to be by working closely with police and other organisations Offering trained First Aid assistance where appropriate Being a visual deterrent against crime Working with the Ashby BID on issues such as graffiti, damage to street furniture and litter In an emergency please contact the relevant emergency services as normal.
By Stuart Benson 12 Mar, 2024
The Ashby BID Company are thrilled to announce that they have been awarded the contract to sprinkle festive magic for the Ashby de la Zouch Christmas event 2024. We had tremendous feedback from last year, not only from people who attended the event but also from those that put on the very best festive performances, local businesses and Market traders that attended. Ashby BID is a non profit company, this will mean that any funds raised will stay within the Ashby economy and either be put back into the event or other local initiatives to keep Ashby a wonderful town. The Ashby BID is funded by rate paying businesses within the BID area, our aim is to work together with local businesses, schools and residents of Ashby to promote and enhance the economic and vibrancy of our town to ensure it remains a safe & welcoming place to live, work & visit. Stuart Benson, BID Manager said “After successfully running the event in 2023 we are extremely pleased to announce that Ashby de la Zouch Town Council have awarded Ashby BID the contract to run the event for the next three years. This is an amazing opportunity, we are very grateful to receive the backing and will continue to develop & enhance the event. If you are a local artist and wish to perform on stage , or would like a stall at the event or let us know what you would like to see please contact us for further information. admin@ashbybid.co.uk To register your interest in having a stall please complete this form https://forms.gle/kNNZDxckf3278Sbi6 Further updates will follow.
By Lisa Roulston 07 Mar, 2024
Free Family Easter Trail 27th March - 1st April Help the Easter Bunny find his helpers by following the below clues and enter into the draw for some egg-cellent prizes!
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What is the Ashby BID?



The Ashby BID (Business Improvement District) is a not-for-profit initiative funded by businesses and groups with premises in and around Ashby town. 


Its aim is driving projects, that fall within four categories, Town Marketing & Promotion, Welcoming & Safe, Getting Around and Business Support.


The BID is governed by a Board of Directors who are made up of traders, businesses & local authority representatives, each Director volunteers their time to facilitate the objectives set out in the business plan.


Our mission is to work together with local businesses, schools and residents of Ashby to promote and enhance the economic and vibrancy of our town. 


Ashby BID achievements to date.

What the BID can bring to Ashby:

Ashby has a rich and vibrant business community and we are keen to ensure that all businesses in our area can benefit from the BID.

Improved  Business Facilities

Centralised Procurement for key areas such as energy and payment facilities to reduce costs to businesses.

Enhanced Events

The BID will be able to enhance current events and bring more to Ashby to increase visitors into the town.

Ashby Information Centre

The BID has secured additional funding to use the (currently closed) Tourist Information Centre as offices, therefore giving an information service back to the town on certain days and times.

Gift Card

People will be able to buy a gift card for a friend, colleague etc which can be redeemed in any business that accepts the card. It is free for all businesses to join the scheme.

Building a STRONGER Ashby

More than £1m will be invested in a 5 year period to help shape Ashby and bring more people to visit the Town.

BIDs can access additional funding through Government grants and our team will actively look to secure suitable additional funds.

The Ashby Gift Card

The Perfect  gift for any occasion. Helping you gift with ease - giving something that means that little bit more! Ashby has a wide variety of shops that accept the Ashby Gift Card which can be the perfect gift for family, friends, colleagues or partners!

Learn more about the Ashby Gift Card >

Why we all #LoveAshby

We all as a community all love Ashby and want the best for it. We are no different. The BID Board members all volunteer to help improve Ashby and encourage a positive atmosphere in the town.

Ashby BID is in it's second year...

See what we have achieved in less than 18 months >

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

EVERYTHING ABOUT BIDs AND WHAT THEY CAN PROVIDE FOR THE ASHBY BUSINESS COMMUNITY

  • What Are BIDs?

    BIDs are an arrangement whereby businesses get together, decide what improvements they want to make in their town, how they will manage these and what it will cost them. This all goes into a business plan which is voted on by all those who would have to pay. The BID lasts for a maximum of five years and must be able to demonstrate how it benefits the businesses that have funded it. BIDs deliver additional projects and services over and above those already provided by public bodies. There are over 300 BIDs in the UK with the nearest ones being Loughborough, Hinckley, Melton & Leicester.

  • What Will BID Do?

    Ashby BID will:

    • Invest over £1m
    • Raise our profile further
    • Carry out exciting projects and events to drive loyalty, footfall and spend
    • Make sure we are a welcoming, friendly and safe place
    • Make it easier for people to come into and move around the town
    • Give businesses the support they need to flourish by driving down business costs whilst being a powerful voice
  • How Is a BID Monitored?

    Like any good business plan, specific key performance indicators (KPIs) are set and performance is monitored against the KPIs by the BID board. The BID Company is answerable to the businesses that pay the BID levy and will be required to monitor and inform its members on its progress towards the agreed KPIs.

  • Why Do Businesses Support BIDs?

    A BID is a mechanism which allows businesses to raise a sum of money to manage and deliver projects that they have identified and believe will improve their trading environment, ultimately increasing trade for those businesses who are paying for the improvements.

  • Does This Mean The Authorities Will Stop Delivering Services?

    No. BID money can only be used to carry out projects/services ADDITIONAL to those that public services have to provide. Prior to the BID business plan being produced, the current services being delivered by all public agencies including the Local Authority and Police are set out in Baseline Statements. Baseline Statements for the following areas are available for the Ashby BID:


    • Cleansing & Maintenance
    • Festivals & Events
    • Leisure
    • Car Parking
    • Public Conveniences
    • Landscaping & Planting
    • Tourism
    • CCTV
    • Policing

    The BID company can agree to provide additional resources to deliver a higher level of service over and above the benchmarked level if this is what businesses have identified they want.

  • Who Pays For a BID?

    Once projects and services have been agreed by businesses along with how they are going to be delivered and managed, they are costed and set out in a business plan. The cost to each business is worked out on a pro rata basis. This is called the ‘BID LEVY’. An independent and formal vote then takes place on the agreed projects and services and if the majority vote is YES then ALL eligible businesses within the BID area HAVE to pay. The BID levy is normally paid by the occupiers of a property. In addition, BIDs can draw in other voluntary funding, grants and ‘in kind’ contributions to supplement the BID levy.

  • How Does An Area Become a BID?

    Normally a ‘BID Task Group’ is set up which is responsible for putting together a business plan setting out the projects it aims to deliver on behalf of the businesses in the BID area. This is based on a detailed consultation process with businesses. The business plan will include the projects, cost, delivery guarantees, performance indicators and the management structure. A confidential postal vote is held with all the businesses that would pay the BID levy getting a vote. To become a BID a majority of those that vote must be in favour by number and rateable value. A successful BID then has a mandate for a maximum of 5 years after which the BID would need to seek a re-ballot.

Car Parks in Ashby

Ashby has a range of car parking available. It is also possible for regular returning visitors to purchase season tickets for North Street & South Street Car Parks. These are available from North West Leicestershire District Council.

What has Ashby BID Achieved?

In less than 18 months we have achieved so much! With so much more to come... 

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