Businesses across Newcastle-under-Lyme have voted in favour of renewing their Business Improvement District (BID) status.
Newcastle-under-Lyme BID has played a lead role in the town’s regeneration, delivering high profile events and supporting local businesses since 2015.
A ballot on whether to renew the status for another five years from 1 April 2026 required more than 50 per cent of voting businesses to cast a ‘yes’ vote, and those businesses needed to represent over 50 per cent of the total rateable value of all votes cast.
Sixty-six per cent of businesses who voted were in favour of the BID renewal and 82 per cent of votes cast were in favour of the BID by rateable value.
Businesses with a rateable value of £12,001 or above will pay a levy based upon their rateable value, creating a collective fund of more than £1.4 million to spend over the next five years.
The BID has delivered over 50 town centre events, bringing an estimated 100,000+ additional visitors to the town.
Other initiatives have included monthly ‘town tidy’ sessions, investments into safety and security partnerships and delivering free public wi-fi across the town centre.
Jane Tunnicliff and Nigel Davies, Co-Chairs of the BID Board, described the ballot outcome as ‘fantastic’ news for the town and have thanked everyone who engaged in the process.
They added: “The BID’s business plan, which businesses were being asked to vote on, has been designed to address the issues which came up during the lengthy consultations with many of the businesses in the BID area, from the small independent businesses to large national businesses.
“The money will now be spent through the three key strategic objectives and their related activities.”
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “The BID brings together a range of businesses, groups and organisations with the best interests of Newcastle town centre at heart, so I’m pleased that it will continue for another term.
“Its promotion of, and commitment to, the town complements our wider regeneration, which is delivering new homes, businesses and investment, as well as investment in the historic market and our Civic Pride campaign for residents, businesses and visitors.”
