What is a Business Improvement District
Business Improvement Districts are created when local businesses choose to invest collectively in improvements that benefit the local community.
BIDs are developed, managed and funded by the business sector through a compulsory BID levy. Businesses within the proposed BID area must vote in favour of the BID before it can be established.
Each business liable to pay the BID levy will be able to vote on whether the BID goes ahead.
BID ballot process
The BID ballot is a confidential postal vote, commissioned by the Ballot Holder and conducted in line with the Business Improvement Districts (Scotland) Regulations 2007.
Ballot papers are sent to eligible business owners within the proposed BID area.
For a BID to be successful:
- there must be a minimum turnout of 25 percent by number of businesses and by combined rateable value
- of those that vote, more than 50 percent by number and more than 50 percent by combined rateable value must vote in favour
Previous BID ballot results
2024
- Fort William BID – 21 November 2024
- Inverness Tourism BID – 14 March 2024
2023
- Dornoch BID – 16 November 2023
- Nairn BID – 24 August 2023
- Inverness City BID – 23 March 2023