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COMMUNITY

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About the Ashby BID

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The Ashby BID (Business Improvement District) is a not-for-profit initiative bringing projects, improvements and business support in and around the town. 


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.   

You can find information about what we have been up to on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LoveAshby 


For business owners, this means that you are plugged into a cohesive organisation that has your interests at heart, and will keep you informed of, and involved in, local initiatives designed to maintain a safer environment.


Our Board is made up of 12 directors from levy paying businesses or equivalent financial contributors. The board serves voluntarily and are accountable to BID levy payers for:


  • Effective delivery of the projects and services as set out in the BID business plan.
  • Upholding and promoting the BID’s vision and objectives.


All BID Company members are able to elect the Board of Directors or can volunteer to stand for a Director position. More information can be found here in our Business plan

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Attract More Visitors

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Enhance the Town

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Reduce Costs for Businesses

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Attract More Funding

The BID Area

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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.

What the BID can bring to Ashby:

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Improved  Business Facilities

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

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Enhanced Events

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

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Ashby Information Centre

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

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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.

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.

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