Ashbourne Business improvement district
A Plan to build a Thriving, Sustainable Future for Local Businesses
Ashbourne BID is an opportunity for businesses and organisations to take a lead in the management and improvement of Ashbourne across three proposed key themes.
£850k added value private sector led investment
Born from the work of the Ashbourne Town Team, the BID Steering Group has developed a five-year plan that puts businesses at the heart of decision-making. This private-sector-led initiative will strengthen collaboration, ensuring that Ashbourne businesses can shape the town’s future and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Ashbourne BID Information Sessions
Businesses are invited to attend one of our upcoming briefing sessions ahead of the forthcoming Ashbourne Business Improvement District (BID) ballot.
These sessions will provide an overview of the BID proposal, explain the ballot process, and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions.
Upcoming Sessions
Online (Teams) — Tuesday 2nd June 2026, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
In Person — Thursday 9th June 2026, 5:30pm
The Link, Ashbourne Methodist Church
To reserve your place, please complete the registration form below:
What is a business improvement district (BID)?
A BID is an opportunity for businesses and organisations to take a lead in the management and improvement of Ashbourne.
There are around 340 active Business Improvement Districts across the UK, collectively representing tens of thousands of businesses and generating significant annual investment into town and city centres.
Take a look at what a BID has done for Warrington Town Centre:
What is a business improvement district (BID)?
What support does a BID offer?
Additional Investment Led by the Private sector
Born from the work of the Ashbourne Town Team, the BID Steering Group has created a five-year plan placing businesses at the heart of decision-making.
A new BID Board will be established once the BID is approved, with all levy-paying businesses invited to apply, giving them a direct leadership role. This Board will provide strong private-sector direction, overseeing BID investment and attracting further funding for Ashbourne.
This marks a fresh, more inclusive approach, empowering businesses to lead the town’s future and drive growth. The new BID Board will not be about maintaining the status quo, it will provide a new opportunity for business leaders to come forward and support the towns growth and development.
WHERE DOES THE INVESTMENT COME FROM?
The investment will principally come from a small additional levy paid by each premises (hereditament) within the BID area with a rateable value above £8,000.
Worked examples of BID Levy liabilities based upon a number of RV values:
Together this will raise an investment of over £850k, over 5 years from BID levy income, grant, sponsorship and commercial opportunities.
WHO DECIDES IF THE BID IS TO BE INTRODUCED?
All eligible premises will be able to take part in a 28-day postal ballot vote to approve or reject the BID proposal. The postal ballot will take place between 11th June – 9th July 2026.
If a majority vote in favour of the proposal from the number of votes cast, and this represents a majority in level of rateable value from votes cast in favour of approving the proposal, the BID will come into operation in December 2026 when all premises with a rateable value above £8,000 would pay a small annual levy (equivalent to 2.1% of their rateable value) to fund investments planned by the BID.
This Ashbourne BID Proposal sets out three potential themes for investment and associated projects where a BID will make a pivotal impact:
Theme 1
Positioning and Promoting Ashbourne
Theme 2
An Enhanced Ashbourne Experience
Theme 3
A Stronger Voice for Business and Enterprise
Full details of the proposed projects for each of these themes are available for you to review in the Ashbourne BID Proposal document:
Contact the BID Project Team
John Graham
[email protected]
07826 907742
© Ashbourne Business Improvement District