Wilmslow Business Improvement District (BID) 

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a defined area where business rate payers have voted in a ballot to pay a levy, in addition to business rates, into a fund for a fixed period (normally 5 years), and that levy is then managed to deliver specific agreed initiatives to benefit the BID area.

In June 2022 the Council received a proposal for a BID in Wilmslow town centre, with an instruction to hold a ballot.

Eligible voters were non-domestic ratepayers liable for the BID levy as at the date of the notice and they were entitled to have one vote in respect of each property occupied or (if unoccupied) owned by them in the geographical area of the proposed BID.

The BID ballot results were declared on 26 August 2022. A majority of the business ratepayers in the proposed BID area who voted, voted for the proposal, both by aggregate rateable value and numbers voting. The BID was consequently approved.

• The full notice of ballot (PDF 1.12 MB)
• The BID ballot declaration of results (PDF, 220KB)

The Wilmslow Town Centre Business Improvement District subsequently commenced on 1 November 2022.

How much is the BID levy

The Council, as billing authority, is responsible for issuing annual Demand Notices for the BID Levy.

All hereditaments within the BID area with a rateable value of £15,000 or above, in the 2017 rating list, will be liable for the BID levy.  The BID levy will be 1.5% of the rateable value and increases by 0.05% each year from April 2024. The levy is capped at £8,000 per hereditament per year.

Paying the BID levy

Payment of the BID levy is due 30 days after the BID levy invoice is issued.

When you make a payment always quote your BID account number (8 digit number starting with a 5).

You can pay via internet banking.

Sort code: 30-80-12
Account no: 26106368
Bank account name: Cheshire East Council

Send your remittance advice to ratesbacs@ecwip.co.uk

You need to make the payment a few days before the due date to make sure we get it in time.

Or you can pay via our online payments service, select Business Improvement District.

Or you can contact the Business Rates team on 0300 123 5013 who can take your payment by credit or debit card. Our telephone lines are open between 9:00 - 13:00.

How the BID funds will be used

The BID Levy is due to raise circa £200,000 per year to be spent by the BID Body on additional services for the BID area.

The BID Body are Groundwork Cheshire Lancashire Merseyside. Funds raised will be spent under the following themes for improvement across Wilmslow town centre:

• Theme 1 - ‘Way Better’ Marketing and Town Centre Promotion for Wilmslow
• Theme 2 - ‘Way Better’ Experience for consumers and visitors to Wilmslow town centre.
• Theme 3 - ‘Way Better’ Business Leadership and Support

If you have any enquiries about the Wilmslow Town Centre BID see www.wilmslowbid.co.uk