欧美成人

Cardiff is entering a pivotal period in its business improvement landscape, with 欧美成人鈥檚 proposal to increase the Business Improvement District (BID) levy for its next term (2026-2031). While any increase in business contributions inevitably raises questions, Cardiff is not isolated in this regard, with multiple UK cities successfully implementing higher BID levies, in response to rise in service costs and reinvesting in place-making.听

This blog outlines what is happening in Cardiff, why the BID levy is increasing and where similar approaches have proven successful in the UK.听

What is Happening in Cardiff?听

欧美成人 has proposed a new BID levy structure for its 2026-2031 term, increasing the rate from 1.06% to 1.6%听of a property鈥檚 rateable value (RV) to sustain and expand services.听

This is due to:听

• Rising operational costs.听

• Reduced real-term income due to property valuation changes.听

• The expansion of BID area to include Cardiff Bay.听

• The need to provide inflation protection over 欧美成人鈥檚 next five-year term.听

In addition, 欧美成人 will raise the rateable value threshold from听拢25,000听to听拢30,000.听听This means properties which have a rateable value below听拢30,0000听on the 2023 rateable value list, will no longer be liable for the levy, even if they are contributing during the 2021-2026 BID term.听

How Does the Cardiff Levy Rate Compare to Other UK City BIDs?听听

The average levy rate for other UK city BIDs is 1.75%. Therefore, 欧美成人鈥檚 levy rate of 1.6% for 2026 鈥� 2031 is below the UK average, meaning businesses within the 欧美成人 BID area will pay less than the national average.听

Rateable Values听Have Shifted Dramatically Since 2017听

欧美成人听has calculated its BID levy using the 2017 rating list since it came into effect.听For the proposed听third term,听the BID levy will be updated to reflect the 2023 rating list. However,听there are听significant听differences between the two, with rateable values for retail and hotels听having听fallen听substantially. Applying the 2021-2026 term levy rate to the updated 2023 rating list across the听existing听BID area听would result in a听reduction in听levy income of more than 拢69,000.听

Why Levy Increases Are Not Unusual in Successful City BIDs听

A hallmark听of听a听successful听BID is听sustained business support,听demonstrated听through a repeated听鈥測es鈥澨齰ote driven by a clear return on investment, whether tangible or perceived.听

Most established BIDs:听

• Adjust BID levies in response to inflation.听

• Rebalance contributions as property values change.听听

• Expand geographical coverage over time.听

This is the trajectory Cardiff is now following.听

Where BID Levy Growth Has Worked in the UK听

Bristol听

A useful comparison can be found in Bristol, where the city鈥檚 BIDs, particularly Bristol City Centre BID, have evolved over successive terms with growing budgets and expanded services.听

As costs have risen, levy structures have been听maintained听or adjusted to ensure continued delivery of core services such as enhanced cleaning, business support, and city centre promotion.听

The BID has also broadened its remit to include initiatives around sustainability, safety, and the evening economy, reflecting changing business priorities.听

Importantly, continued support in ballots听indicates听that businesses recognise the value of sustained investment, even as contributions increase over time.听

Manchester City Centre BID听

Manchester鈥檚 BID model has evolved through multiple renewal cycles with expanding remits.听

• Increased budgets funded enhanced street cleaning, public realm upgrades, and city marketing.听

• Strong alignment with the city鈥檚 broader regeneration strategy.听听

• Businesses continue to support renewals due to tangible improvements in footfall and safety.

Lesson:听BIDs thrive when they are embedded in wider city growth strategies.听

Birmingham – Colmore BID and City Centre BIDs听

Birmingham鈥檚 BID structure is often cited as one of the UK鈥檚 most effective.听

• Multiple BIDs听operate听across districts.听

• Levy income has increased over successive terms.听

• Projects include security patrols, lighting improvements, and major public realm investments.听

Lesson:听Multiple BIDs with rising contributions can coexist when governance is clear and outcomes are visible.听

Other听Success Stories – Lincoln,听Leeds,听York, Etc.听

Cities such as Lincoln and York show that even outside major UK cities:听

• BID renewals often pass with strong majorities (sometimes 80-90%+).听

• Gradual levy increases are accepted over time.听

• Long-term continuity builds trust and stability.听

For example, Lincoln鈥檚 BID has听operated听since 2005 and has continued through multiple renewal cycles, showing sustained business support for ongoing investment.听

Lesson: Longevity builds acceptance of incremental levy growth.听

What Can Cardiff Learn?听

Cardiff鈥檚 proposed levy increase is not unusual; it is part of a wider UK pattern where successful BIDs evolve through:听

Visible Return on Investment听

Businesses support higher levies when they see:听

• Cleaner streets.听

• Improved safety.听

• Stronger events programme.听

• Increased visitor听numbers.听

• Benefits for member employees including training, networking听opportunities听and discounts via The听Card.听听听听听

Transparent Governance听

Cardiff鈥檚 BID model, like others, relies on accountability. Levy increases are easier to justify when budgets and outcomes are clearly reported.听

Incremental Change听

The increase from 1.06% to 1.6% is significant but phased and consultative, mirroring successful BID transitions elsewhere.听

Strong Renewal Mandates听

Cardiff鈥檚听previous听ballots have been decisive, with over 90% support in the most recent renewal, an indicator that businesses already perceive value in the model.听

To Conclude听

Cardiff鈥檚 BID levy increase sits firmly within a proven UK pattern. When BIDs deliver visible value, businesses repeatedly vote to sustain and even grow investment.听

The experience of cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Lincoln听demonstrates听levy increases are not only听viable, but they are also often essential to听maintaining听momentum.