BIDs to share £6m coronavirus support fund

The government will give Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) £6.1m of funding to spend on projects that will help their local economies through the coronavirus pandemic.

Many BIDs are playing a crucial role during the crisis, offering support to affected businesses, including advice services to protect businesses that have closed.

They have also been providing intelligence to local and central government on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on their local economies.

High Streets Minister Simon Clarke said: The government has announced a comprehensive programme of support for businesses to help them deal with the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and today we are extending that support to Business Improvement Districts.

‘BIDs are uniquely placed and have a proven track record of success in supporting local businesses, empowering communities, championing our town centres and driving forward the renewal of our high streets.

‘It’s only right that during these unprecedented times we give them all the necessary support they need to continue operating, so that they can carry on their vital work now and crucially when we move into the recovery phase from the current crisis.’

British BIDs Chris Turner added: ‘Government has listened to the requests that we have made on behalf of the BID industry.

‘I am exceptionally grateful to the numerous BIDs that have actively supported and engaged with this process, particularly those who joined in our initial Q&A sessions and completed the online survey which, together, provided us with the evidence that we needed.

‘My thanks also must go to those levy paying businesses that have backed their BIDs in the request for assistance and to the ATCM and the BID Foundation who have worked in partnership with us on this.’

In March, the government announced emergency legislation to support BIDs in the Coronavirus Act 2020. It included clauses to enable BIDs to extend the maximum duration of their BID arrangements until 31 March 2021, delaying BID ballots. This was done to allow businesses to focus on recovery from economic shock before deciding whether to participate in BID arrangements for the following 5-year period, and allows BIDs to coordinate their places’ recovery.

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