What is a Business Improvement District (BID)?

Business Improvement District (BID) is a business led and business funded scheme to improve a defined commercial area
In this case, Eastbourne Town Centre. Businesses based in the BID area voted to establish a BID in September 2019.

It was approved by a majority of businesses in the BID area who voted (68% in favour) following a confidential and formal ballot during July 2019. The Town Centre BID will have a five-year lifespan, which can be extended by subsequent ballots. The BID was established on the 4th of September 2019.

The BID empowers local businesses to ‘raise funds’ to be spent locally on improving their trading environment. In Eastbourne, the fund is expected to approximately total £1.5M over five years.

What is the Eastbourne BID area?

The BID area consists of Terminus Road, Grove Road, South Street, Gildredge Road, Cornfield Road and Commercial Road and all roads in between
This includes Hyde Gardens, Bolton Road, Cornfield Terrace, Trinity Place and Lushington Road. A map is available via our website and business plan which can be downloaded here

I didn't vote in the ballot (or voted no)

The BID regulations state that should a vote be successful, all businesses within the BID area will be liable to pay the levy

The majority of businesses who took part in the ballot voted in favour (68%) for a BID to be established in September 2019.

The Town Centre BID will have a five-year lifespan, which can be extended by subsequent ballots. The BID was established on the 4th of September 2019.